<div class="ExternalClass9498462F1BEC4A8CBF0473F33169D6D3"><p><img alt="Do you need a work permit Image.png" src="/News/PublishingImages/Do%20you%20need%20a%20work%20permit%20Image.png" style="margin:5px;" /></p><div>Young children around the world work instead of going to school. The image to the right is of boys working in coal mines around 1900. At that time, a child working in a factory might work 12 to 18 hours a day, six days a week, to earn a dollar. In 1938, Congress passed a law called The Fair Labor Standards Act. It fixed minimum ages: <br></div><div>
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</div><div><ul><li>16 for work during school hours, <br></li><li>14 to work certain jobs after school, and <br></li><li>18 for dangerous work. [1] <br></li></ul></div><div>You need a work permit if you are 14 or 15 and want to work in Illinois. The reason is to protect your safety and make sure you do not neglect your education. The law limits working hours. It prohibits work in hazardous occupations and requires an employment certificate.<br></div><div></div><div>
<strong>Some jobs are acceptable for young children. These include: </strong></div><div><ul><li>delivering papers, <br></li><li>golf caddying, <br></li><li>doing chores at someone's home, <br></li><li>babysitting, or <br></li><li>working at an agricultural task. <br></li></ul></div><div>
<strong>Unacceptable hazardous jobs include: [2]</strong></div><div><ul><li>Manufacturing<br></li><li>Mining<br></li><li>Processing<br></li><li>Apparatus maintenance<br></li><li>Machine maintenance<br></li><li>Operation of power-driven machinery<br></li><li>Operating motor vehicles<br></li><li>Jobs that use ladders or scaffolds<br></li><li>Work in freezers or meat coolers<br></li><li>Sales outside of the business location (peddling)<br></li><li>Warehouse<br></li><li>Construction<br></li></ul></div><div>
<strong>Work rules for 14 & 15-year-olds are:</strong></div><div><ul><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">Cannot work more than six consecutive days in one week.</span><br></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">Cannot work more than 48 hours in one week.</span><br></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">Cannot work 24 hours in one week when school is in session</span><br></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">Cannot work between 7PM and 7AM when school is in session. (9PM to 7AM from June 1 to Labor Day.)</span><br></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">Cannot work more than 3 hours a day on school days</span><br></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">Must have a 30-minute break if working more than 5 hours.</span><br></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">Cannot work:</span><br></li><ul><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">As a</span><span style="line-height:1.6;"> public messenger, delivery service, bellboy in a hotel or rooming house</span></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">At a bow</span><span style="line-height:1.6;">ling alley, pool room, billiard room, skating rink, exhibition park or place of amusement, garage, filling station, service station</span></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">I</span><span style="line-height:1.6;">n connection with power-driven machinery</span></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">Where intoxicating alcoholic liquors are served or sold for consumption or are manufactured</span></li></ul></ul></div><div>
<strong>If you want to get a work permit, you will need:</strong></div><div><ol><li>A statement from your new employer describing the job and the exact hours you will be working.<br></li><li>your name and contact information,<br></li><li>social security number,<br></li><li>the last grade attended,<br></li><li>parents names,<br></li><li>evidence of age,<br></li><li>physical fitness statement, and<br></li><li>Verify that the work performed is not a hazardous occupation.<br></li></ol></div><div>
<strong>To apply:</strong></div><div><ul><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">Visit your school counselor. Ask them for an application. </span><br></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">Access an online application.</span><br></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">Visit your regional office of education.</span><span style="line-height:1.6;">   </span></li></ul><div><div>Image source: Wikimedia Commons<br></div><div>
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</div><div>[1] <a href="https://junior.scholastic.com/pages/content-hubs/real-teens-of-history.html" target="_blank">https://junior.scholastic.com/pages/content-hubs/real-teens-of-history.html</a><br></div><div>[2]
<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/" target="_blank">https://www.ecfr.gov/</a><br></div>
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