Many teens want after-school jobs to save for college and to be able to afford trips and other “extras.” Parents often encourage a teen’s desire to get a job, since work can build a strong work ethic, discipline, and responsibility. It can look good on college applications and resumes and even let students get a head start on a future career.
While there are many benefits to part-time work, there are risks, too. Young people have a higher-than-average rate of workplace injuries in Hollywood and across the nation. When your child is looking for work, whether they are considering an office job or babysitting, you need to consider safety first.
There are several things that parents need to stay aware of and to do in order to encourage their kids to stay safe on the job:
1) Be aware of the risks. Even seemingly-safe jobs carry a risk. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the retail sector is the second-most-hazardous job in the nation, and this is precisely the industry many teens choose for their first job. Office jobs can result in repetitive strain injuries and even babysitting can put your child at risk of pet bites. Always consider the risks of your teen’s job, since understanding where the risks lay can help you address them.
2) Help your teen look for a job that is safe and interesting to them. The Florida Department of Labor and the Child Labor Coalition have resources that can help you choose safe job options and stay safe on the job. You can also learn about Florida labor laws from these resources, to ensure you choose employment which meets regulations.
3) Make sure your child gets the training and skills they need for the job. Is there on-the-job training or training your child can get to keep them safer while they work? Your teen is far more at risk if they try to work in a position that exceeds your abilities.
4) Ask lots of questions. Before your child takes the job, investigate the job together to make sure it is a legitimate offer and learn more about the employer. Investigate the safety conditions. Will there be other workers on the site? Is there a first aid station as well as workers with first aid training on every shift? Are the locks and windows in good condition? Is there a written safety policy and a security system? Who will be supervising? After your child has been on the job for a while, continue to ask questions to ensure the promises made about worker safety are met with a strong commitment to security and employee safety in action.
If you or your child have been injured in the workplace, you may have the right to workers’ compensation benefits. You may also have other legal options, depending on the specifics of your case. To find out more, contact Flaxman Law Group online or by calling us at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) to speak to a Hollywood work injury attorney. Your first consultation with us is free and comes with absolutely no obligation.