Jobs for 14 year olds

Every country has different labor law and even each state has also different regulation about this issue. However, most countries allow 14 year old to work, it is the minimum age requirement for teenagers to apply for a job. This refers to occupational health and safety legislation, child welfare legislation, and education acts.

However there are some places where even 12 year old are allowed to work. Anyway, since this lens focuses on 14 year old teenagers, then we can assume that a 14 year old teenagers are allowed to work, only with different restrictions and requirements.

This question has also different answer depending on where you are asking, each state has different agreement and law. In British Columbia, Canada, for example, teenagers under 15 are allowed to work as actors including background performers and extras, in the film, radio, video, television, or television and radio commercials industry.

While there are many states which allow 14 year old to work at the restaurants, if you live in New Brunswick, 14 year old teenagers cannot be employed in any industrial undertaking, in the forest industry, the construction industry, a garage or automotive service station, a hotel or restaurant, a theater, dance hall or shooting gallery, or as an elevator operator or in any location or occupation prescribed by regulation.

This two examples are only taken from Canada, to show that even within the same country, each state has different labor regulation for 14 year old teenagers. There are similarity however which refers to international labor acts which describe kinds of works which are not allowed for 14 year old teenagers such as hazardous occupation which threaten health, physical injures, heavy lifting, and all other labors which are harmful to the person's health, welfare or moral or physical development.

There are some jobs for 14 year olds such as babysitter, paper router, usher, guest service, junior camp leader, golf caddy, waiter, grocery bagger, product promoter, tutor, pet sitter and many others. It is not easy to find them as the opportunities are not as much jobs for grown ups. There are not many teenagers needed as well in seasonal jobs.

A minimum pay of $4.25 per hour applies to young workers under the age of 20 during their first 90 following calendar days of work with an employer, given that their work does not shift other workers. After 90 following days of work or the employee reaches 20 years of age, any comes first; the employee must obtain a minimum wage of $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008; and $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009.

Many States also cover minimum salary laws. Where an employee is subject to both the State and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher minimum wage rate. Check if your State covers minimum wage or not at http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/state/state.htm