WHAT IS A WORK PERMIT?

A work permit is a legal document required by the state of California that allows a person under 18 years of age (minor) to hold a job. An employer who hires a minor must have the work permit on file at the business site before the minor may start the job. An employer risks getting a fine from a California Labor Department inspector if no work permit is on file for a minor employee. 

HOW DO I GET A WORK PERMIT?

You MUST have been hired for a job! 

• Pick up a Work Permit Application from the Career Center or download one here. 

• Fill out the sections that say Minor’s Information and School Information (be sure that all information is neat and legible).

• Have your parent/guardian sign and date the application to give their permission.

• Take the Work Permit Application to your employer and have the employer fill out their section and add their signature. 

• Bring the Work Permit Application back to Ms. Shelby Cook in the Career Center to have the bottom box completed.

• Ms. Cook will issue your Work Permit within 24-48 hours (longer if over the weekend or when school is not in session). You will receive an email letting you know you can pick up your work permit (a copy will also be emailed to you). You must sign and date your Work Permit and give a copy to your employer. 

CAN A WORK PERMIT BE TAKEN AWAY?

Yes! The work permit can be canceled and taken away at any time by the California Labor Department inspector if he or she feels it is not in the best interest of the student to work at the job site. In addition, a work permit can be canceled at a parent or guardian's request. Finally, a work permit can be canceled by Ms. Cook for a good reason. Good reasons for canceling a work permit include: student is continually absent or tardy to class, student is failing classes, student is not completing homework, student is sleeping in class, student is being asked to work during school time, or the job site is not safe.

DO I NEED A WORK PERMIT IN THE SUMMER?

Yes! If you received a work permit during the school year, it will be valid even during the summer (have your employer refer to the "School Not in Session" portion of the permit). If you just got hired for the summer, you will still need to apply for a Work Permit. All Work Permits expire 5 days after the start of the school year, August 26, 2023. 

ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW?

Of course! There are laws in place to make sure you are safe at work and that you don’t work too many hours. 

Minors Under 18 Years of Age are NOT allowed to work:

• Selling or serving alcoholic beverages

• Building or construction work of any kind, especially roofing

• Delivering goods from motor vehicles

• In the vicinity of moving machinery

• Using power-driven machines of any kind [including wood-working, hoisting (forklift), metal-forming/punching, meat-processing (slicers), baking (mixers), box compacting, sawing/wood-chipping, etc...]

• Hazardous occupations like roofing or mining

• Operating an auto or truck

• In the vicinity of explosives

Minor employees are not allowed to work unlimited hours and their work hours may depend on their age and the school calendar.

When school is in session:

• 16- and 17-year-olds may work 4 hours per day on any school day, 8 hours on any non-school day or any day preceding a non-school day, up to 48 hours per week, and between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p. m., except on evenings preceding non-school days, the minor may work until 12:30 a.m. 

• Children who are 14 and 15 years of age may work up to 3 hours on school days, 8 hours on non-school days, and up to 18 hours per week. 7a.m - 7p.m.

• 12- and 13-year-olds may be employed only during school holidays and weekends, and may never be employed on any school day.   

When school is not in session (breaks and holidays):

• 16- and 17-year-olds may work up to 8 hours a day, up to 48 hours a week, and between 7:00 a.m. and 12:30 a.m., on days that do not precede a school day. 

• 12 through 15-year-olds may work up to 8 hours per day, up to 40 hours per week, and between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., except that from June 1 through Labor Day, until 9:00 p.m.