May 9, 2012

If you're an employer that takes on seasonal workers in the summer, it's likely you employ teen workers. But teen workers have less life and job experience than their adult counterparts, and their brains, including the decision-making centers, are still developing. For these reasons, teen workers need extra attention to ensure that they work safely. Here are some tips to help you keep your teen workers safe.

1. Ensure they have a work permit: Workers under the age of 18 in California are generally required to have a work permit. In most cases, work permits must be signed by a parent or guardian and have requirements for school attendance. Ensuring your teen workers have permits not only keeps you in compliance but also assures you that adults in their lives are aware they're working and monitoring aspects of their lives that may affect, and are affected by, the job.


2. Make sure everyone knows which equipment teens can and cannot operate: All of your employees working with teens--not just supervisors--should know which equipment teens can and cannot use. Teens will be looking for new experiences and may try to operate equipment they aren't permitted to. Further, teen workers can be easily intimidated by adult workers and coerced into doing work they shouldn't. Make sure you clearly communicate the limitations to all adult workers.


3. Intersperse them among adults: Research has shown that teens are far more likely to take risks when in the company of other teens. For this reason, try to avoid all-teen work groups--and even teen/very young adult work groups. Instead, team up teens with your older, more mature workers.


4. Watch the hours: Teens workers have hour limitations you need to be aware of but even more than that, you want to be aware of the biology of teenagers. Most teens naturally stay awake later into the night and wake up later in the morning (not because they're lazy--that's how teen bodies work!). If they're working early morning shifts, they may not be as alert. Keep this in mind when scheduling activities for the work shift.


5. Ensure comprehension: Even when teen workers don't fully comprehend what you're saying, they often tell you that they do. Supervisors of teen workers should not simply provide instructions to a teen worker and then walk away--they should verify through observation that the teen has understood and is performing the task safely and as instructed.

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