S.B.Y.S. Sponsors Child Labor Law Workshop

 More than 25 students in Kearny High School , who are interested in after-school employment, attended a workshop given by the NJ Department of Labor that was sponsored by School Based Youth Services at Kearny High School under the direction of Jeannie MacConchie. Adele Higgins, the employment specialist in the SBYS Program arranged for the workshop after students raised questions about employment opportunities and labor laws and regulations.

Shirley Schwenke, a representative from the NJ DOL Division of Wage and Hour Compliance presented (left, with Adele Higgins and Jeannie MacConchie)  the hour-long slide program in the Teen Center of the SBYS facility on Tuesday, October 23^rd.  Students had an opportunity to learn about the history of child labor in America and the current rules and regulations governing the employment of minors.  The students learned about the obligations of the employer and the rights, role and responsibility of the student employee.

In her presentation, Schwenke addressed the number of hours after school, evenings and weekends that a minor is allowed to work. She also spoke of the importance of working papers, the need for a physical examination before working papers are issued and how to obtain working papers through the high school.  She told the students about job opportunities, the type of work minors may do based upon their age and most importantly, the prohibited areas of work for minors such as handling hazardous materials. 

She addressed child labor laws and compared  the current rules and regulations with those that existed many years ago.  She also spoke of the importance of maintaining good academic grades.  Higgins said that “if you are a work study student that work is an extension of the school day and students have certain responsibilities if they wish to work. If you are in the Cooperative Education program and have a failing grade, you may be asked to leave the program."

The SBYS Program in Kearny High School provides youngsters ages 13-19 with comprehensive services at the Teen Center located in Kearny High School . These services include individual and family counseling, health care, substance abuse counseling, family life counseling, tutoring, outings, employment counseling, and referrals to other agencies.

Perspective employers who may need a motivated, enthusiastic and ambitious Kearny High School student can contact Adele Higgins, employment counselor for SBYS at ahiggins@kearnyschools.com. To learn more about Child Labor Laws you can visit the NJ Department of Labor web site at www.wnjpin.net.

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