SLOHS allows for students to work during the summer and the school year. Photo courtesy of 2024 SLOHS graduate Angel Tepepa Garcia.

  With San Luis Obispo High School students living their best life in the summer, many are considering getting a summer job for some extra cash, but they may not know that minors have extra protections to protect them from being taken advantage of at work.

  Likewise to many adults in the workforce, teens and minors have specific workers rights that prevent the overworking or employers and companies from destroying a child’s state of wellbeing. 

  “I don’t have a traditional job like most other people, but I still get paid to work and hangout with horses. I think as long as you get paid and work whenever you want it’s a good job,” said 2024 SLOHS graduate Piper Merriam. 

  These rights were not always in place though, and many children hundreds of years ago were forced to work in horrible conditions in factories or mines, for little to no money just to support their families. 

  In many places around the world during the 1800s, children had children working for them, and in the United Kingdom about fifty percent worked in factories. It wasn’t until the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 came into effect inside the United States that it was possible to ensure that “when young people work, the work is safe and does not jeopardize their health, well-being or educational opportunities.”

  “I work almost everyday, and it’s honestly just so my family can help make ends meet,” said an anonymous SLOHS graduate. 

  Many students are working for many important reasons, and as the world continues to be run on a monetary capitalist format with money, this is how it will be for many teenagers for years to come. 

  “I work two jobs, both of them are retail and like I honestly only do it because my first job gave me like no hours,” said 2024 SLOHS graduate Miles Calandro. 

  These laws however, sometimes allow for a sort of tug of war with employment over hours because a resurgence of hours can take away from school and homework. This would go against the labor laws act if working during the school year could go against your work permit.

  SLOHS students, remember, you can call off work for school, dances, or sports. So, if you need to go somewhere “important” just call out and your job can’t force you to stay!

Source: dol.gov