My daughter will be 15 this summer. She is wanting a job, but I explained to her that she will not be able to work until she is 16. Of course because of child labor laws, companies are either very strict or frightened away from hiring workers under 16. Also, most companies are forbidden from hiring youth under 16 because of the type of work they do or the danger factors at their companies. Also, some companies are willing to hire younger teens, but because of the hassle, shy away from it. I was determined to find a company that would hire my daughter or any younger teen for that matter, for a summer job.
We of course have the traditional babysitting, house sitting, and dog watching jobs that many younger teens become employed at. But our daughter did not want to go that route, and she wanted to actually get up, get dressed, and go to a work place every day. Sitting at home all day is boring while Mom and Dad go to work. So I have listed alternatives to the boring teen jobs, and have researched either opportunities or companies that will hire teenagers younger than 16.
1) Winn Dixie Grocery Stores. Winn Dixie is a chain that is found mostly in the south. Our local Winn Dixie hires 14 and 15 years olds, but only to bag groceries. I checked with the corporate headquarter which is near us in Jacksonville, Florida. I spoke with personnel there and verified that it is a policy of Winn Dixie’s to hire 14 and 15 year olds. However I was advised that the hiring is up to each individual store and to their discretion. There are also limitations. The youth can only work on weekends during a school year, can not work after 8 p.m. , and can only put in 10 hours a week.
2) Our local McDonalds. I checked with other McDonalds around the Jacksonville area, and most stated that they would hire a 15 year old to work. They also are limited by the work hours, however they do allow those between the ages of 14 and 16 to work during the week. They also have the 8 p.m. cut off and ten hours a week. They also can not do any cooking, it is simply straight counter work or lobby clean up.Check with your local McDonald to see if they allow 14 and 15 year olds to work there.
3) Family business. Businesses employing less than 50 people, or most family businesses, are not held as strictly to labor laws as private corporations are. I have several friends who either run or work for a small family owned business. Some of these Mom and Pop establishments also children 14 and 15 to work there.
4) Greenhouses and Nurseries. The small town we live in, Macclenny Florida, has three small nurseries in the area. All allow teens 14 and 15 in age to work for them. They are somewhat reluctant though, and unless you have family members working there, your younger teen may not get a job. several of my students in the eighth grade, worked there last summer. The only drawback is that they were unsupervised and worked with some people who were involved in drugs. I heard tales of marijuana use. So this might not be the best place for a younger teen to begin experiencing the world of work.
5) Local small newspapers. Our community has several small newspapers. One stated that they would buy articles and editorials from a 14 or 15 year old, if they met their needs and were of the highest quality. This of course limits the job to those with a writing talent or an interest in the area. Check with your local small town newspapers or weekly newspapers to see if this is the case.
Hopefully, these ideas will allow your younger teen the chance to begin working part time. It is better to be occupied than to sit ideally at home.
Reference:
- Experience
