Know Your Rights at Work
Teens are more likely than adults to get injured at work.
Injuries can happen because teens are using unsafe equipment, are under stress or are being pressured to work quickly. Teens are much more likely to be injured when they work on jobs they are not allowed to do by law.
Each year 160,000 teens under 18 are hurt at work. Teens are more vulnerable because they are new to work, may not get proper safety training, and are less likely to speak up or ask questions about working conditions.
Youth have the power to raise awareness and push for change.
Ishaan Kang, High School Student,
2025 YWLA Participant
What is a hazard?
A hazard is something at work that can hurt you, make you sick or hurt your mental health. Some examples by type of work:
Janitor/Clean-Up
Toxic chemicals in cleaning products, discarded needles
Office
Stress, harassment, poor work
station design
Food Service
Slippery floors, hot cooking equipment, sharp objects
Retail/ Sales
Violence crimes, heavy lifting
The employer is legally responsible for creating a safe and healthy workplace.
There are many unsafe workplaces.
Workers can come together to make sure they are getting the safe workplace they are entitled to under the law.
All young workers should be able to:
Look Out for Workplace Hazards
Hazards are things that can hurt you, make you sick or harm your mental health (e.g., toxic chemicals in cleaning products, blood on discarded needles, slippery floors, hot cooking equipment, heavy boxes, harassment or violence). All workplaces have hazards that can be addressed.
Problem Solve
There are different ways to fix hazards and not all approaches are equally effective. The best way is to remove the hazard from the workplace, for example swamping out a toxic chemical that is giving people rashes for something not toxic. Policies and procedures can also be a helpful approach. Personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, etc.) is the least effective way to make a workplace safe because the hazard is still there.
Understand Their Rights Under the Law
Young workers have a right to:
> A safe and healthy workplace.
> Training, protective clothing and equipment.
> Earn the minimum wage: $16.90/hour in California in 2026.
> A paid 10-minute rest period after every 4 hours of work and an unpaid 30-minute meal bread after 5 hours of work.
> Receive a pay statement that lists the amount earned and the total hours worked.
> Report safety problems to Cal/OSHA (branch of state government in charge of worker safety).
> Workers compensation benefits if you get hurt at work.
> Refuse to do work that could kill or badly hurt you.
> Work free of discrimination and harassment.
> To join or form a union.
Speak Up
Point out problems to other workers and report hazards to your supervisor. If you have a safety problem, you can also talk to your parents, teachers, job training counselor or union about the problem. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something or need help. Resources below can help.
How old do I have to be to have a job?
You must be at least 14 years old for most jobs, except informal jobs like babysitting or yard work.
What work is illegal for teens?
In California, workers under 18 are not allowed to:
- Operate, clean or repair power-driven machinery:
- meat slicers
- bakery machines (including dough mixers)
- box crushers/compactors
- woodworking machines
- punches
- hoists
- forklifts
- circular saws
- hand saws
- guillotine shears
- Drive anything with a motor on public streets as part of the job, or work as an outside helper on a motor vehicle. (17-year-olds may drive, but only in very limited circumstances that the law allows.)
- Handle, serve, or sell alcoholic beverages
- Be exposed to radioactive substances or ionizing radiation
- Mix, load, or apply Category I pesticides
- Work in any of the following industries:
- wrecking or demolition
- excavation
- logging or sawmills
- roofing or work that involves going on or near the roof
- manufacturing brick or tile
- manufacturing or storage of explosives
- mining
- meat packing or processing
In California, workers under 16 are not allowed to:
- Work in building or construction
- Work in manufacturing or food processing
- Bake or cook (except on electric or gas grills that do not have open flames, or with deep fat fryers that automatically lower and raise the baskets)
- Go from house to house to sell things or do “sign-waving” (unless they are directly in front of the the place where they work)
- Work in dry cleaning or commercial laundry
- Work on a ladder or scaffold
- Work in a freezer or meat cooler
- Load or unload trucks, railroad cars, or conveyors
- Work in a warehouse (except as a clerical)
- Dispense gas or oil
- Clean, wash, or polish cars
- Use power-driven lawn mowers
What hours can I work?
Because teens are encouraged to focus on school, there are child labor laws to protect teens from working too late or too long.
Work Hours for Teens
14-15 |
16-17 |
|
|---|---|---|
Work Hours |
|
|
The most hours you can work when school is in session |
18 hours a week, but not over:
|
48 hours a week, but not over:
|
The most hours you can work when school is not in session |
|
48 hours a week |
What if I get hurt on the job?
If you are hurt at work you are eligible to receive workers compensation benefits (money and medical care from the government). This is available to all workers in California, including those who are under 18, who work part-time and who are undocumented. You receive benefits no matter who was at fault for your job injury.
How do I receive worker’s compensation?
If you get hurt at work, tell your supervisor right away. If you’re under 18, tell your parents or guardians. Get emergency medical treatment if you need it. Your employer must give you a claim form to fill out and return. This helps ensure that you receive workers’ compensation benefits. You can’t sue your employer for a job injury (in most cases). You can receive benefits even if you are under 18, a temporary or part-time worker, no matter who is at fault. You can receive workers’ compensation benefits even if you are not a US citizen.
It is against the law for your employer to fire or punish you for reporting a workplace problem or injury, or for claiming workers compensation.
Where to get health and safety information and advice
Topic Area |
Contact |
|---|---|
For general health & safety information and advice: |
UC Berkeley Labor Occupational Health Program |
To make a health or safety complaint: |
|
To make a complaint about wages or work hours: |
California Labor Commissioner’s Office www.dir.ca.gov/DLSE (415) 703-5300 |
To make a complaint about sexual harassment or discriminiation: |
California Fair Employment and Housing www.dfeh.ca.gov (800) 884-1684 |
For information about benefits or injured workers: |
California Workers’ Compensation Information and Assistance Unit www.dir.ca.gov/DWC (800) 736-7401 |
This fact sheet was created with funding from the Teaching Occupational Safety and Health contract, California Department of Education.
