Teens and young adults use their summer break to join the workforce and earn some extra money while they’re out of school. According to the most recent statistics from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of workers between the ages of 15- and 25-years-old increased by nearly 20 million from just April to July of 2012. This is an increase of more than 2 percent. These statistics mean that more than half of individuals in this young age group were a part of the U.S. workforce during the month of July.
During these months, we see the largest increases in young employees on the job. High school students seek summer work and newly-graduated students look for their dream job and permanent employment. Kids heading off to college area also looking for part-time or full-time employment to help make ends meet.
Our Quincy workers’ compensation attorneys understand that the rise in the number of young workers usually means a rise in the number of accidents among them. These workers are some of the most vulnerable in the workforce. They oftentimes hold job positions in dangerous fields.
During this time, nearly 65 percent of young men were employed while nearly 58 percent of young women were employed. Nearly 63 percent of young whites were employed, nearly 55 percent of young blacks were employed, more than 43 percent of young Asians and more than 57 percent of young Hispanics were employed during this time.
More than a quarter of the youth who were employed worked in the leisure and hospitality sector. This includes restaurants and other food services. Close to 20 percent of youth who were employed during this time worked in the retail trade industry. This is a figure down slightly from 2011.
There were 4 million youth unemployed during this time, which is down a little from the 4.1 million just a year ago. This means that the unemployment rate for this young group was just over 17 percent in July of 2012.
Parents are asked to talk with their teen worker about the rights that they have on the job. Knowledge and education are key in keeping the workplace safe. Share the following rights with your teen before they head back to work.
Rights as a youth worker in the U.S., according to Youth at Work:
-Work in a discrimination-free work place.
-To work without harassment or the fear of harassment.
-To be able to speak up about job discrimination without the fear of punishment.
-To be able to request workplace changes for your religion or disability.
-To keep your medical information private.
The Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Glassman, LLC offer free and confidential consultations to those who have been injured on the job. Call 1-877-617-5333.
More Blog Entries:
Workplace Violence a Threat in Massachusetts – Employers Beware, Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog, August 4, 2012