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Categorical Programs

 
 
Work Permits

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Work Permit?

 

A work permit is a legal document required by the state of California that allows a person under 18 years of age (minor) to hold a job. An employer who hires a minor must have the work permit on file at the business site before the minor may start the job. An employer risks getting a fine (like a traffic ticket) from a California Labor Department inspector if no work permit is on file for a minor employee. 

 

How do I get a Work Permit (while school is in session)?

 

  1. You MUST have been hired for a job!

 

  1. Pick up a Request for Work Permit application from the Work Experience teacher at your school.

 

  1. Fill out the sections that say Minors Information and School Information (be sure to include your Social Security Number and that all information is neat and legible).

 

  1. Have your parent/guardian sign and date the bottom part (above the box) of the application.

 

  1. Take the Request for Work Permit application to your employer and have the employer fill out their section thoroughly.

 

  1. Bring the Request for Work Permit application to your Work Experience Teacher to have the bottom box completed.

 

  1. You may ask the school to send your Request for Work Permit application to the District (or drop it off yourself at 9401 South Painter Avenue, Whittier, 90605, Building U) and the Work Permit will be mailed to your employer or you can pick it up the following day. (The District requires 24 hours to process the Work Permits) 

What if I attend a Private School, can I get a Work Permit?

If you attend a Private School within the boundaries of the Whittier Union High School District (WUHSD), you are eligible to obtain a Work Permit (WP) with the WUHSD as the issuing authority. Download the WP application here, fill out the student, school and employer information and have your parent or guardian sign as well. Once the application is complete, bring it along with a proof of age to the Career Education Office at the Sierra Education Center located at 9401 South Painter Avenue, Whittier, Ca. 90605, Building “U”. Once processed, the Work Permit will be mailed to your employer or you can pick it up the following day. (The District requires 24 hours to process the Work Permits)

If you have any questions regarding Work Permits, please contact the Job Development Specialist, Claudia Flores at (562) 698-8121, Ext. 1080.

 

At what age can I get a Work Permit?

 

In most cases, students must be at least 14 years of age to get a work permit. Infants to 17-year-olds can get an entertainment work permit to work in the movies, on television, or do modeling. Other than this, workers under 14 years of age may do babysitting, yard work, and paper routes which do not require work permits. Although 14 and 15-year-olds may get work permits, most employers will not hire students under age 16. This is because the workers compensation insurance usually does not cover workers under age 16. Workers compensation insurance is a type of insurance employers are legally required to have that helps pay medical bills when workers get injured on the job.

 

To get or keep a Work Permit, must I attend school?

 

Yes! Requiring work permits for minors ensures that they stay in school and have parent or guardian permission to have a job. Without school attendance or permission from a parent or guardian, no work permit may be issued. If a student drops out of school, a work permit may still be obtained if he or she enrolls in continuation school, adult school, ROP (Regional Occupational Program), or community college classes.

 

How often do I need to get a Work Permit?

 

Each time a minor is hired for a new job, a new work permit must be obtained and given to the employer. In addition, all work permits expire shortly after school starts in September (or August). Therefore, even if you still work at the same job, you must get a new work permit application, complete it, get a new work permit, and give it to your employer. California lawmakers wanted to make sure that all working minors return to school for fall semester, so they decided to make work permits expire at the end of summer vacation so that working minors would have to report to school to get new work permits.
 

Do I need a Work Permit in the summer?

 

If you received a work permit during the school year, it will be valid even during the summer (have your employer refer to the "School Not in Session" portion of the permit). If you just got hired for the summer, you will need to apply for a Vacation work permit. If your school office is closed, you can either download a Request for Work Permit application or pick one up from the District office located at:

 

Sierra Education Center

9401 South Painter Avenue

Whittier, Ca. 90605

(On the corner of Mulberry and Painter, U building, park on Painter side)

 

Once you have the whole application filled out, return it to the District office along with a proof of age (either your school ID or a birth certificate) and in 24 hours it will be available for pick up or we can mail it to your employer. If you have any questions regarding Summer Work Permits, please contact the Job Development Specialist, Claudia Flores at (562) 698-8121 Extension 1080 or by e-mail.

 

 

How many hours may I work?

 

Workers who are ages 14 and 15 may work 3 hours on a school day and 8 hours on a nonschool day for a total of no more than 18 hours per week during the school year. They may work no later that 7 p.m. Workers who are ages 16 and 17 may work 4 hours on a school day and 8 hours on a nonschool day for a total of no more than 20 hours per week during the school year. Workers who are ages 16 and 17 may work no later than 10 p.m. on a school night, and no later than 12:30 a.m. on a night before a nonschool day (such as Friday and Saturday nights). There are exceptions to the rules for workers ages 16 and 17. If these workers are enrolled in Work Experience they may be issued work permits that allow them to work more hours on a school day, more hours during the week, and work past 10 p.m. on a school night. Please see the Work Experience section below for more details.

 

Can a Work Permit be taken away?

 

Yes! The work permit can be canceled and taken away at any time by the California Labor Department inspector if he or she feels it is not in the best interest of the student to work at the job site. In addition, a work permit can be canceled at a parent or guardians request. Finally, a work permit can be canceled by the issuing authority (person who signed the work permit at the district) for a good reason. Good reasons for canceling a work permit include: student is continually absent or tardy to class, student is failing classes, student is not completing homework, student is sleeping in class, student is being asked to work during school time, or the job site is not safe.

 

 

Work Experience Education

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is Work Experience Education?

 

Work Experience is an elective class, which combines, paid employment experience with classroom instruction.  Students develop work habits, attitudes, self-confidence, job-related skills, and a personal portfolio, which can be used to locate, secure, and retain employment. Students must obtain on their own, a job, meeting the course requirements.  The course curriculum teaches students how to get a job, keep a job, leave a job, as well as economic and career awareness.

 

Can I work more hours if I take Work Experience?

 

Yes! You can work up to 8 hours on a school day. Also, you may be able to work until 12:30 a.m. on any night of the week.

 

What are the requirements for enrolling in Work Experience?

 

Ø      You must be employed and be at least 16 years old

Ø      You must be an 11th or 12th grader

Ø      You must attend a class once a week

 

How do I enroll in Work Experience?

 

You have to attend a school that is conducting a Work Experience class for 2012-2013. Click here to see a copy of the WE "Training Agreement" that must be completed to sign up for the class. Please contact the Work Experience teacher at the following participating schools for further details: