TWC offers tips for employers, teens as summer hiring nears

AUSTIN -- Thousands of jobs will soon become available for teenagers hoping to gain valuable work experience as employers begin hiring for the busy summer months. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) reminds employers, workers and parents to familiarize themselves with state and federal laws, as well as safety regulations that address child labor issues.

"Texas employers rely on teen workers each summer and recognize youth as integral to their success," said TWC Chair Diane Rath. "The experience young workers gain will help them determine which work opportunities enable them to better develop and showcase their strengths."

"The most effective way for employers to establish and meet their business goals and heighten their productivity is to educate themselves about child labor law, and also ensure they are within the constraints of applicable laws," Rath said.

From April to June of 2006, more than 80,000 people entered the Texas labor force, including teenagers eager to gain valuable vocational experience or earn their first paychecks.

Any person under the age of 18 is considered a child when employed in the workplace. Federal and state child labor laws protect youth against potentially detrimental occupational settings or working conditions that could interfere with a child's safety, health or well-being.

Different laws apply to different age groups. For example, workers who are age 16 or 17 can engage in any task for any number of hours, as long as it is not deemed hazardous by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Children 14 or 15 may perform a job beyond traditional school hours in some n o n m a n u f a c t u r i n g , nonmining, nonhazardous jobs, but only under certain conditions. Because operating power-driven lawnmowers is considered dangerous, 14- and 15-yearolds are prohibited from that activity, but children ages 16 or 17 are permitted to do so.

Federal laws restrict teens who are age 14 and 15 from working more than three hours on any given school day or more than 18 hours within a school week. They also may not work more than eight hours on a non-school day or more than the standard 40 hours during a week when school is out. A standard workday for children who are 14 or 15 must be between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., except between June 1 and Labor Day, when they can work no later than 9 p.m.

Commissioner Representing Employers Ron Lehman identifies how teen workers contribute to greater productivity for employers and recognizes the importance of adhering to child labor regulations.

"The teen workforce is a definite asset to employers at a time of year when business traffic is traditionally high," Lehman said. "It is imperative that employers understand the types of work activities young workers can perform safely and legally to benefit the most from the experience. "

Job-related functions prohibited by law and considered inappropriate or unsafe for teens include:

* Driving a motor vehicle and being an outside helper on a motor vehicle (Absolutely prohibited for youth under 17; subject to certain conditions for youth age 17).

* Any operations on or about a roof.

* Excavating operations.

* Power-driven woodworking machines.

* Power-driven bakery machines.

* Power-driven paper-products machines.

* Power-driven hoisting equipment.

* Power-driven metal-forming, punching and shearing machines.

* Power-driven circular saws, band saws and guillotine shears.

* Meat-packing or processing machines (including power-driven meat slicing).

* Manufacturing brick, tile and related products.

* Wrecking, demolition and ship-breaking operations.

* Logging and sawmilling.

* Exposure to radioactive substances and ionizing radiation.

* Manufacturing or storing explosives.

* Coal mining and mining other than coal.

A few exemptions for apprentices and student learner programs under specified standards for some hazardous occupations do exist. For more information, visit http:/ /youthrules.dol.gov/jobs.htm.

"Youth learn while gaining valuable workforce experience in any number of longterm career prospects," said Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. "Earning extra money may be a primary influence, but working beyond a regular school year provides a great opportunity to execute the skills they learn in school and establish a strong work ethic."

One TWC youth employment contractor, The Good Samaritan Community Services, serves youth in the 12- county Alamo WorkSource region and three counties in the Lower Rio Grande Valley's WorkForce Solutions region. Bill Fehr, ombudsman in the San Antonio-West Office of the Attorney General, recognized how various community projects have benefited from youth hired through The Good Samaritan program.

"I would tell other employers that it has helped us work more effectively and efficiently, " Fehr explained. "It benefits the community when we help our youth, and it gives them a chance to feel like they are fulfilling something within their community. "

Teens seeking job-search assistance can visit their local workforce center. Visit htt;:// www.twc.state.tx.us/dirs/ wdas/wdamap.html for information about local workforce centers.

For other information on prohibited jobs or those with restrictions, employers or prospective summer youth workers can learn more about child labor laws by calling TWC's Labor Law Section at (800) 832-9243 or (512) 837-9559, or online by visiting http:// www. t w c . s t a t e . t x . u s / u i / lablaw/lablaw.html. More employer or worker services are available online at www.texasworkforce.org.