Employer Responsibilities. Hiring teens can be a rewarding experience for both the employer and the employee. Early work experience helps teens develop valuable skills and earn money, but it’s essential to ensure their work environment is safe and compliant with labor laws. As an employer, you play a critical role in fostering a safe, supportive, and legally compliant workplace for teen employees. Below is a guide to help you understand your responsibilities and their rights.
Promote Safe Work Practices
•Train teen employees on all safe work
practices and ensure they understand how to
perform their tasks safely.
•Encourage open communication. Let teens
know they can ask questions or request
additional training, especially when learning
new tasks or using unfamiliar equipment.
Foster a Safety-First Culture
•Emphasize the importance of working safely,
even if it takes more time. Rushing can lead to
accidents or injuries.
•Encourage teens to stay alert and aware of
their surroundings to prevent carelessness,
even as they become more comfortable with
their tasks.
Provide a Supportive Environment
•Create a workplace where teens feel
comfortable reporting any threats, unsafe
conditions, or situations that make them feel
uncomfortable. Ensure they know they can
approach a supervisor at any time.
•Reinforce the importance of using good
judgment and trusting their instincts. If a task
seems unsafe, they should feel empowered to
check with the manager before proceeding.
Enforce Zero Tolerance for Alcohol
•Underage drinking is illegal and strictly
prohibited in the workplace. Make it clear
that being under the influence endangers
everyone. If there’s suspicion that an
employee has been drinking, they should
notify the manager immediately.