We Want to Hear From Young Adults Who Held Jobs Throughout High School
We want to hear your stories of how you balanced schoolwork, extra-curriculars, teen life and holding a job. We also want to hear from folks who worked at businesses that may have violated child labor laws.
Update: We are no longer accepting responses to this questionnaire. Please check hawaiibusiness.com in October for the final story.
Hawai‘i’s high cost of living forces many residents to start working at a young age.
State law requires that youth 17 and younger obtain an age certificate prior to employment. And caps are placed on the number of hours 14- and 15-year-olds can work. About 11,000 of these child labor certificates are issued in Hawai‘i each year.
Child labor law violations have been increasing nationwide since 2015. Hawaii Business Magazine is looking into whether that trend exists in the Islands and the impacts that Hawai‘i’s laws have had on local youth and businesses.
Hawai’i Business Magazine wants to hear stories from local young adults about some of the working conditions they encountered in as teenagers and the challenges of balancing teen life, school, sports, extra-curriculars and a job. We’re also looking to speak with young adults who worked for businesses that may have violated child labor laws.
The questionnaire should take about 5 minutes. You can also email writer Tori DeJournett anytime at reporter@hawaiibuisness.com
Please fill out the survey by July 10.
Hawai’i’s Child Labor Laws
For 14-15 year-old minors:
- Must obtain a Certificate of Employment prior to beginning to work
- School day: Cannot work for more than three hours per day and more than 18 hours per week. Minors can work between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- Non-school day: Cannot work for more than eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. Minors can work between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
- May not work more than six consecutive days and five consecutive hours without at least a 30-minute rest/meal period.
For 16-17 year-old minors:
- Must obtain a Certificate of Age prior to beginning to work.
- There are no restrictions on hours for 16- and 17-year-old minors except when they are required to be in school.
Source: State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Wage Standards Division
