OHIO — The school year is right around the corner, and for some students, the Department of Commerce is reminding them and their families of vital steps to take if they hope to bring their summer job into the school year.
What You Need To Know
- Many teens often pick up summer jobs to earn some extra income; however, teenagers who are 14-, 15-, 16-, and/or 17-years-old are required to have a Minor Work Permit
- Officials said they must first secure a job offer before they apply for a permit
- According to Ohio law teenagers 14- to 15-years-old can work up to 18 hours each week during the school year, but their shifts must end at 7 p.m. on school nights
Many teens often work summer jobs to earn some extra income; however, teenagers who are 14-, 15-, 16-, and/or 17-years-old are required to have a Minor Work Permit before they begin working either in the summer of school year.
“The work permit process is designed to ensure Ohio’s young workers have safe and supportive employment experiences. We are committed to helping families navigate each step, so teens can start their jobs confidently and parents can feel assured that state safeguards are in place,” said Stephen Clegg, Wage & Hour Administration Bureau Chief.
Officials said they must first secure a job offer before they apply for a permit as the application requires details about the specific job and its duties. For teenagers who already have their Minor Work Permit for their summer job, a second application is unnecessary to keep that job throughout the school year.
However, officials at the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Industrial Compliance’s Bureau of Wage and Hour pointed out there are differences in the roles and hour restrictions between academic year work and summer work.
According to Ohio law, teenagers 14- to 15-years-old can work up to 18 hours each week during the school year, but their shifts must end at 7 p.m. on school nights. This is a major shift from the allowed 40 hours and ending time of 9 p.m. they can work in the summer.
Older teenagers, 16- to 17-years-old can work up to 40 hours a week throughout the school year, but work must end at 11 p.m. on school nights. There are no hourly restrictions on non-school nights.
After securing a job offer, teenagers can download the Minor Work Permit form by clicking here. After filling out the application, getting a parent or guardian’s signature and having the employer fulfill their section- the applications can be turned into the school district for review and approval. After it is approved, the student is officially able to work.
Ohio law requires minors to receive a 30-minute break after every five hours of consecutive work regardless of age or season.
Officials encourage working teenagers, parents and guardians to gather the necessary documents sooner than later to avoid delays.