New York State Department of Labor

Why Do I Need Working Papers?

Working papers serve as your official employment certificate.  Working papers were established to make sure businesses do not work you too many hours while you are in school and in the summer as well.

How Old Do I Have to be to Get Working Papers?

You will need working papers if you are under 18 years old.  Working papers are divided into two age groups (14-15 and 16-17):

• 14-15 year olds - Your working papers are blue. If you are 14 and 15 years old, you are issued these working papers because you are not allowed to work in a factory.
• 16-17 year olds (in school) - Your working papers are green. The difference between 14-15 year old working papers and 16-17 year old working papers is that you are allowed to work in a factory . You cannot work around certain machines, do construction work, help on a motor vehicle, clean, oil, wipe, or adjust belts on machinery.
• 16-17 year olds (out of school) - Your working papers are peach. If you are 16 to 17 years old and are not in school or are leaving school for full time employment, you will need these working papers. You are allowed to work in a factory, cannot work around certain machines, do construction work, help on a motor vehicle, or clean, oil, wipe, or adjust belts on machinery.

 

Where Do I Get My Working Papers and What Do I Need to Get Them?

Below are the steps you will need to take to get your working papers:

1. If you are in school , go to your guidance office and ask for a working papers application. If you are not in school, go to the nearest school by where you live because they are required to give you the application.

2. Fill out the application and have your parent or guardian sign the application.

3. When you have filled out the working papers application and had your parent or guardian sign it, you have to take it back to the school's guidance office. 

a.     Proof of age, such as your birth certificate, a state-issued photo ID, driver's license, or passport.

b.    A doctor's exam within the last 12 months saying you are physically fit .  A physical given at a school for sports will count for your physical exam.  If you are not sure where you can get a physical, ask your guidance office or call your doctor.

 

Working Papers Tips

• When you turn 16, you will need to go from your 14-15 year old working papers (blue) and get your 16-17 year old working papers (green). Go to your guidance office of your school or nearest school to update your working papers.
• Before you start work at a new job, you must give your employer the blue, green or peach employment certificate. Employers are not allowed to accept photocopies of your working papers. If you lose your working papers, you will have to go back to the school and ask for a duplicate (copy) to be issued to you.
• At the end of a job, the employer must give your working papers back to you.  You can use them on your next job (if you are still the right age for the certificate).  If the employer does not return your working papers, you can ask the school to issue you a duplicate (copy).  You can also complain to Labor Standards .
• Labor Laws help protect you as a worker and outline your rights.  Check out some videos and workplace safety tips from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration ( Working Teen & Videos )
• Find out more about about what you can and cannot do on the job under the age of 18. 

Today, most businesses require identification from you before you can apply for a job.  

• If you have lost your social security card, you can replace it
• If you don't have a license, but need photo identification you can get a New York State Non-Drive Photo ID card
• Birth Certificate requests for New York residents (outside NYC)
• Birth Certificate requests for New York City residents

First time filling out a job application?  Don't have any work history?  Here's some tips to get that job!

• Your Winning Edge Chapter 2 provides some tips about what information you should include on a job application and how to make the application look organized and well thought out
• The Job Guide for Youth  The Job Guide for Youth-Quick hints for a filling out an easy to read and to the point job application.

A resume and cover letter give you the chance to highlight yourself! Life skills can transfer to the job, like babysitting, helping out at summer camp and even carrying groceries for a neighbor.  Get help writing your resume and/or cover letter

• CareerZone Portfolio- Create a portfolio account in CareerZone and develop your resume with the resume builder
• Your Winning Edge - Chapter 2 gives words to use on a resume, examples of resumes, what to put on a cover letter and cover letter examples
• The Job Guide for Youth - Gives an example of a sample resume and tips for building an effective resume
• Research Guide - A step-by-step guide on the parts of a resume and what belongs in each section

If you have a disability and need help with a job search, resume writing, or job applications, visit or call your Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) at your local One-Stop Career Center.

If you have gotten into some trouble in the past, make sure you know if you were a youthful offender and that you know the difference between being arrested and being convicted. There are many programs that can help you get a job, like the New York State Federal Bonding Program.

I'm Young....Why should I Care About Labor Laws?

• Have you thought about what happens if you are hurt on the job or wondered if you had the right amount of training before beginning a job?  Labor laws help protect you as a worker and your rights.  The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) and the United States Department of Labor do not allow certain jobs to be taken by people of certain ages because of the hazards that may come along with that job.  So your age affects the jobs that you may be able to take!  Check out some videos and workplace safety tips from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( Working Teens & Videos ). 

Please note that states may have different labor laws than the Federal government.  Many New York State and Federal labor laws are the same.  However, there are some labor laws that are different between New York State and the Federal government. Remember that even if the Federal and New York State Labor Laws cover a similar topic, the more strict labor law is what should be followed.

What Jobs Duties Can't I Do?

As a young person you are allowed to do most job duties.  However, there are some limits as to what you can do.  Click on the links below to find out what job duties you cannot do on a job. NYSDOL lists the labor limits by age. 

• 14-15 year old limits
• 16-17 year old limits

What Hours Can I Work?

You are ready to work, but not sure what hours you can work.  Below is some information with the number of hours you can work based on your age and whether you are in or out of school.

When you are in school

Age	Maximum Daily Work Hours	Maximum Weekly Work Hours	Maximum Number of Days Worked Per Week	Work Times
14-15	3 hours on school days 8 hours on non-school days (most likely Saturday & Sunday)	18 hours	6 days	7am to 7pm
16-17	4 hours on Monday-Thursday 8 hours on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays	28 hours	6 days	6am to 10pm

When school is NOT in session

Age	Maximum Daily Work Hours	Maximum Weekly Work Hours	Maximum Number of Days Worked Per Week	Work Times
14-15	8 hours	40 hours	6 days	7am to 9pm (June 21 to Labor Day)
16-17	8 hours	48 hours	6 days	6am to Midnight

Not attending School

Age	Maximum Daily Work Hours	Maximum Weekly Work Hours	Maximum Number of Days Worked Per Week	Work Times
16-17	8 hours	48 hours	6 days	6am to Midnight

Businesses, job trainers and colleges are looking for people that represent their organizations in a positive way.  Since there are many things going on in your life, it is important to keep yourself health and balance your life in order to keep your best foot forward.  School, home, friends, work, and extracurricular activities are just some of your daily activities.  Below is information that provides tips on dealing with stress, staying healthy, and balancing your life now and in the future.

Stress Management - Are you feeling bogged down with homework, sports, applications?  This link provides you with relaxation techniques, recognizing stressful situations, how to teach your body to react in a calm manner, and keeping your mind clear in order to concentrate.

Food for Thought - Tired in the AM?  Can't make it through that next class? Find out how a balanced diet can help you stay alert and energized throughout your day to keep your mind and body focused.

• How to Dress for an Interview Provides information on what you should and should not bring to a job interview
• Make a Lasting Impression Do you want a business to remember you after you leave the interview?
• How to Tie-a-Tie time for the interview and your tie is not tied! Watch videos that provide step-by-step directions on how to tie a tie

Interview questions can be stressful if you’re not prepared. Here's help with getting the interview & the job:

• Your Winning Edge Tips on what do while you are in the interview.
• Getting the Interview that provide information on how you can land job interviews
• Preparing for the Interview Extracurricular activities? Leadership skills? Learn what to highlight about yourself on the interview
• The Do's and Dont's of an Interview Watch video examples of what to do and what not to do when you are on the job interview
• The Job Guide for Youth Get the right look for your interview

 

What is Social Networking?

Whether it is sending an email or driving on a highway, linking people and places is an everyday occurrence. Social networks are how people connect with each other whether it's through text messaging, Facebook, or the lunch table. Social networks connect you to people who could help you find jobs, provide you with resources to find a job or direct you to their social network.  Check out this YouTube video on social networking at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_KF7TYKVc

Keep Your Digital-Self Professional

Remember that your social networks connect you to hundreds and thousands of people across the country and world. Here are some tips on how to make your social networks work for you:

• Use a formal email address on your resume. It is recommended that you use some form of your name so that a business will remember who you are. Virginia Tech has more information at http://www.career.vt.edu/JobSearchGuide/Email.html .
• Ringback and voicemail messages on your cell phone may sound good to you and your friends, but employers may not call you back because of it. Just have a simple voicemail message with your name and phone number. This website gives tips as to what businesses may not like 
• Have you ever "Googled" yourself? After a business enters your name into a search engine, they evaluate you based on your Social Network profile (i.e. Facebook, Myspace orTwitter). So keep it clean!

So Why Should I Belong to Social Networks?

Social networks can still be fun, but use them to your advantage. According to the 2009 Jobvite Social Recruitment Survey, 80% of companies are planning to use social networks to find or attract candidates.  Among those companies using social network sites for recruiting, LinkedIn is now used by 95 percent of respondents and Facebook is used by 59 percent of respondents.

A few tips about your social network online accounts:

• Create two different accounts: one that's private for friends and family, then a professional account searchable by employers.
• Learn how to change your privacy settings, and who can and cannot view your profile.

Facebook Privacy Settings                             LinkedIn Privacy Settings

MySpace Privacy Settings                             Twitter Privacy Settings

 

• Seek out and join professional organizations and online social networking groups. Ask your contacts who you should meet and get introduced.
• Be friendly, respectful and brief. Also be very clear about what you are looking for. Be realistic. A new contact is unlikely to provide a job offer. Your goal is to gather valuable information in your field or occupation of interest.
• Follow-up. It's your responsibility to keep the communication lines open. Touch base every so often updating your contact on your progress.  

Are you a good leader?  Are you a team player and dependable?  Employers are looking for these kinds of qualities in their employees.  Find out more below on how to stand out to a potential employer

 

• Everyone has Skills -Visit the CareerZone Portfolio Job Readiness Skills Module to find out which skills you can add to your resume from your previous work, volunteer, or extracurricular experiences

• Get the Competitive Edge with Soft Skills-Businesses are looking for people with soft skills (good communication, a strong work ethic, and many other skills). Find out how you can gain soft skills today!

Not sure where to find the job you want now? The links below are just some job search websites that can help with finding a job that's a match for you!

• New York State Job Bank
• Teens4Hire
• CoolWorks
• SimplyHired
• SummerJobs.com
• Green Jobs

Volunteering and internships help you stand out to a business, while making you and someone else feel good, and gaining experience to beef up your resume.

• New Yorkers Volunteer
• Youth Volunteer Network
• Youth Serve America
• DoSomething.org
• The Volunteer Center of United Way
• Internships.com  
• Idealist.org
• Student Conservation Association