This summer, I wanted to get a part time job at a nearby boba shop or retail store because I wanted to have my own money to spend. Many of my friends planned to do this too. However, we were all unsuccessful because of one thing: a work permit.
The legal age to work in retail or food service in California is 14, but most places require you to be at least 16. All minors must have a work permit in order to legally work. However, you cannot obtain a work permit without first securing a job. So an employer must first agree to hire you then fill out an application to get you a work permit. The whole process takes two to five business days.
For teens like me who want to work part time, here’s how you get a work permit. If an employer agrees to hire you, you need to print out the Work Permit Application through your high school website. There are four sections to fill out and sign: the minor who gives his information and graduation year; your employer who states your work duties, days, hours, and wage; your parents who must sign that they have knowledge and give their permission; and the school district who verifies your identity. Then, you submit it to your high school during the school year or at the district office if it’s summer and wait to get approved.
A work permit aims to prevent minors from being overworked. It limits the hours a minor can work so they can concentrate on finishing high school. This is another reason many places don’t want to hire minors. Teens ages 14-15 have more limited work hours than older teens ages 16-17 (see table).
This is a problem because many places that are hiring don’t want to go through the trouble of getting a work permit for their employee. They’d rather hire an adult from age 18 or older since they can start working right away. Even though they say they’re hiring 16 year olds, they never actually do unless you already have a work permit.
So you can’t get a work permit unless you’re employed, but no one wants to employ you without a work permit. This is a big reason high schoolers like me struggle to get a job. Teens who are able to work are usually hired at their family-owned business or know someone at the place they applied for.
This summer, my friend Sam applied to 11 stores. All of them either ghosted her or rejected her, saying that they prefer someone with prior work experience and a work permit. But it’s impossible to get work experience without a work permit, and no employer is willing to help students like me get one.
If I’m able to find a job that agrees to get me a work permit, I’ll finally be able to work, later find more jobs, and start gaining work experience. All I need is just one store willing to go through the process of getting me a work permit.
I wish businesses realize how hard it is to get hired for the first time ever as a minor. They shouldn’t be so quick to reject a teen applicant just because they lack a work permit, especially when they’re clearly qualified for the job and are willing to work hard.
Businesses and schools should help teens find opportunities to work, instead of making it so difficult. Working in retail or service, no matter how limited, is an invaluable learning experience that teaches so many life skills needed to succeed in life.
I’m willing to forgo my summer break just to earn some cash. But for some teens, finding work may be an important way for them to help out their families or save for college.
Audrey is a teen journalist and an opinion editor for her school newspaper in Silicon Valley. She writes about trends, pop culture, media, and her experience as a Filipino-American.