Job Market Open For Teens With Schools Dismissing For Summer

Article Presented By Rathkamp Financial…

(Columbus) – A new national survey shows that more than 40 percent of 16 and 17-year-olds have a job and 53 percent of 18-year-olds are working. But many teens have never had a job before and might not know where to begin their search or what “rules” must be followed as we prepare for the start of summer. 

Any minor under the age of 16 needs to have a work permit. Paperwork for a work permit is available through the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Industrial Compliance’s Bureau of Wage and Hour. The work permits can be filled out and taken to the minor’s school, which issues a work permit. 

Once they have the permit and go to work, minors under the age of 16 cannot work more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week. 

Minors who are 16 and 17 do not need a work permit for a summer job and do not have the same hours restrictions. The state’s break requirements – 30 minutes after five consecutive hours of work – are still in effect during the summer, according to DIC’s Bureau of Wage and Hour. 

Beyond the permitting rules, Commerce’s Division of Financial Institutions shares getting a summer job can create lifelong skills and habits that are beneficial to many teens. 

“Not only can it boost their confidence, but it can teach them how to manage their time and develop organizational skills,” said Superintendent Kevin Allard. “It gives them the opportunity to be managed by others, interact with the public and the ability to socialize with a different network of peers.”   

A summer job may also be the first opportunity for teens to earn enough money to make larger or more frequent purchases, which often requires more responsibility, and we can agree that helping them navigate this new stage in life is critical to their financial success. 

Teaching teens about financial responsibility isn’t easy, especially if you’re not fully confident in your own financial knowledge. These tips can be useful and a great place to start:

• Lead by example. Instead of lecturing teens on how to handle their money or how to make better decisions, let them see you handle your money responsibly. This doesn’t mean you have to show them bank statements but being honest about your financial priorities and discussing your thought process when making financial decisions is helpful. Kids, including teens, model adult behavior, and what better way to set the tone than to implement healthy financial habits right before their eyes. 
• Ask for their input. The average person makes over 2,000 decisions an hour, and some of those decisions may include money. Some of those decisions can be influenced by your mood or other external factors, so sometimes speaking your choices out loud, can make the decision-making process easier. This is where you can include your teen. It’s a great way to introduce planning concepts, discuss “wants versus needs” and overall have a really great conversation with your child – you may be surprised by their ideas.
• Learn together. Teens see it all, in fact sometimes they might learn about something before you. If your kids ask questions you can’t answer, or if you’re looking for more informationabout a financial concept, ask your teens to help you look for information and talk about it together. This is where you can open their eyes to basic budgeting and saving techniques, and they can show you how to use the newest budgeting app.

For more resources on how to teach financial literacy to children and young adults, visit https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/financial-institutions/consumers.