Laws That Protect Young Workers

David Williams hosted this week’s summer-themed Cavalcade of Risk at his Health Business Blog, with several articles about health insurance and other types of insurance coverage.  One of the most interesting articles comes from our friends at Workers’ Comp Insider, writing about the penalties for employers who ignore labor laws for young workers.  As Julie points out, ignorance of the law is not an excuse for breaking it, and the laws are in place in order to keep our young people safe.  Teens working their first summer job might not have the knowledge or ability to speak up and refuse to put themselves in harm’s way or work more hours than they should. So laws have been crafted to protect them, and it’s up to the employer to understand the rules and follow them.  The penalties for not doing so can be steep.  This post is a good reminder at this time of year, when many businesses hire teens for part-time work during summer vacation.  Especially if you’re an employer who hires young workers for part-time or temporary positions, Julie’s article is well worth the few minutes it takes to read.