(NAPSA)—Every year, millions of teens work in part-time or summer jobs. Early work experiences can be rewarding for young workers, providing great opportunities to learn important skills. However, the jobs that teens are hired to do should not jeopardize their health or well-being. Under the leadership of Secretary Elaine L. Chao, the U.S. Department of Labor launched the YouthRules! initiative. This initiative promotes positive and safe work experiences for young workers by educating parents, teens, employers, and educators about the types of jobs teens can hold and the numberof hours they can work. 14- and 15-Year-Olds Can Work: * Outside school hours e After 7 a.m. and until 7 p.m. (hours are extended to 9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) * Up to 3 hours on a school day * Up to 18 hours in a school week * Up to 8 hours on a nonschool day * Up to 40 hours in a nonschool week Jobs Teens Can Perform * Teens 13 or younger can baby-sit, deliver newspapers, or work as an actor or performer. 14- and 15-year-olds may workin a variety of jobs including those located in offices, grocery stores, retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, amusement parks, baseball parks or gasoline service stations. However, they are prohibited from working in jobs declared hazardous by the Secretary of Labor. 16- and 17-year-olds can work in any job that hasn’t been declared hazardous. There are 17 hazardous jobs young workers underthe age of 18 are prohibited from doing. Someof these jobs include mining, YouthRules!—an initiative created by the Department of Labor—is designed to promote positive and safe work experi- ences for teens. Learn more at www.youthrules.dol.gov or call 1-866-4USWAGE. meat packing or processing, using power-driven bakery machines or paper-product machines, roofing, and excavation operations. Most driving is also prohibited. Once a youth reaches 18 years of age, he or she is no longer subject to the Federal youth employmentlaws. Different rules apply to youth employed in agriculture. States may also have different laws. For more information about this initiative, including what jobs are considered hazardous, visit www.youthrules.dol.gov or call the Department’s toll-free number at 1-866-4USWAGE. Through the YouthRules! initiative, the U.S. Department of Labor wants to ensure that all teens have positive work experiences that help prepare them for the demands of the workforce. After all, today’s youth will be the workforce of tomorrow.
