A summer or
part-time job is a rite of passage for most teens. I've watched my three kids
gain confidence and experience through an assortment of minimum wage positions.
What I've also watched is each of them get screwed by their employers, either
accidentally or on purpose.
It really
burns me. Teens are often not in a position to question their bosses, are
afraid of losing their jobs if they complain, or are simply ignorant of their
rights. Here are a few of my kids' experiences:
·
Had
a shift cancelled last-minute because work was slow, with no pay
·
Had
to work without breaks or meals
·
Mislabeled
as an independent contractor to benefit the employer
·
Underpaid
for hours worked
I am
convinced that if teens and their parents knew workers' rights, this illegal
behavior would not be tolerated. We developed a Jeopardy game based on 2017
California labor laws to teach kids their basic employee rights. The game
"Employee Rights Jeopardy" is a perfect end-of-the-school-year
activity for any grade or subject that has students in or entering the job
market. It is also great for generating discussion about how to handle
work-related problems.
