	Trying to conceive

	Pregnancy

	Newborn

	Baby

	School Age

	Teen

	Baby Names

	Baby Links

Help your teen with part-time job

Starting the Job Hunt

Once you and your teen have decided that it's time to start looking for a job, plan to spend some time searching for one that's safe and enjoyable for your teen.

Before Your Teen Is Hired

The best way to find out if a job is a safe fit for your teen is to talk to him or her and ask questions such as:

• How did you find out about this job? (If your teen got the tip from a trusted adult, for example, you might feel more comfortable having him or her work there than at a job listed in the classifieds with an unknown company.)

• Do you know the people for whom you're working? (It's one thing for your 14-year-old to babysit for your neighbors and friends. But if you don't know your teen's boss, you may want to set up an appointment to meet him or her before your teen accepts the job.)

• How many hours will you work? (What hours will you work - weekends, after school, school nights? For the sake of grades and sleep, you and your teen should set limits.)

• What protection will you have?

• Do you have the skills for this job?

Making Sure Your Teen's Job Is Safe

If you're like many parents, you probably think a part-time job, whether after school, on weekends, or during the summer, is a good idea. After all, working teaches teens a sense of responsibility, helps them pay for their own expenses, and teaches them that money is something that's earned. So you may be inclined to say, "Sure, take the job."

But sometimes parents may not give much thought to the risks their teens may face while working. Find out how you and your teen can choose a safe part-time job that minimizes those risks.

What Are Some Risks Your Teen May Encounter?

Of course, almost all jobs offer hidden safety hazards: there are risks your teen may encounter on the job or at the workplace.

It is considered that the agriculture industry is the most dangerous because of the nature of the work and the machinery used; the retail industry is the second most hazardous because of robberies and assaults, as well as equipment used.

Depending on the industry your teen is employed in, he or she may be at risk for more serious dangers, such as injuries from heavy machinery or diseases from bacteria or toxic chemicals.

To Spend or to Save?

Talk to your teen about the money she will be earning. Will he or she need it for tuition, or is it just for spending? One possibility is to decide upfront that half of the money earned is for spending and half is for saving. If your teen doesn't have her own bank account, open one now.

Keep Talking Even After Payday

Encourage your teen to discuss work regularly and offer specifics on the workday. You can ask:

• What was something interesting that happened at work today?

• Are you still handling the original job, or have your responsibilities expanded?

• What are your new responsibilities?

• What kind of training did you get before you took on this additional work?

• Are you being paid more for the extra work? Why or why not?

• Do you think anything about this job will help you in your career someday?

Talking to children about their rights and experiences at work is a great way to open the lines of communication.

Explain to your teen that there are laws to protect teens against sexual harassment and discrimination. Encourage your child to come to you with all work-related concerns, especially if anything "doesn't feel right."

Also make sure your child understands that with rights come responsibilities. Some employers get away with paying teens less than minimum wage by paying them "off the books" and telling them they won't have to pay taxes. But remind your teen that paying taxes is an important responsibility and a legal requirement.

And be aware of your child's physical health and safety. Keep an eye on your teen. Is he or she nodding off a lot? Are your child's grades slipping? Does he or she seem stressed out?

Just because the law says your 14-year-old can work 3 hours a day on school days doesn't mean your child should work those hours every day. You, your child, and perhaps your child's doctor should have a serious discussion about maintaining a healthy balance between school and work and other issues.

By investing some time in research beforehand, your teen can have a fun, worthwhile, and safe job experience.

Here are some tips that can help you teach your teen about the job-finding process.

Three good reasons for your teen to take a summer job are:

• Earn cash

• Build character

• Prepare for a career

Character-building advantages:

Your teen should be on the lookout for jobs that require:

• Responsibility for an activity

• Accountability to a boss and to others on the job

• Discipline of attendance, punctuality, and dress code

• Communications skills needed to deal with customers or others on the job

• Interpersonal skills to resolve difficulties on the job

• Opportunities for creativity and initiative to improve the organization and help others

When the Somertime Job Is Over

At the end of the summer, you and your teen should evaluate his work experience. Begin by asking him these questions:

• Have you gained skills that you'll put to good use in the future?

• Has the money you made gone to a good cause?

• Are you rested and ready to begin a new school year?

• Do you now have a clearer idea about what your future may hold?

• Did you receive a written recommendation for your portfolio?

• Do you have a better idea of the value of a dollar?

• Do you have a better understanding about the importance of saving?

Asking your teen these questions will help you get a better idea of whether he or she wants to return to the same job next summer. If not, your teen will have a better sense of the kind of job he or she hopes to obtain in the future.