NJSS
Employee Tips and Limitations

Tips
- All prospective workers under the age of 18 must have an employment certificate or working papers for each and every establishment they are working at.
- You can get these at your school or www.nj.gov/labor
- Know what you legally may and may not do.
- Know when you legally may and may not work.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Politely say "no" when asked to do something not allowed or something you do not feel you can safely do.
No worker under the age of 18 may:
- Clean or operate mixing machines, compactors (like trash compactors), or slicing machines.
- Drive a motor vehicle on public streets as part of job (except at age 17, in limited circumstances).
- Drive a forklift or heavy machinery.
- Use power equipment.
- Work in construction (wrecking, demolition, excavation, or roofing).
- Work in logging or saw mill.
- Handle, serve, or sell alcohol.
- Work anywhere with toxic materials or radiation exposure.
If you are 14 or 15 you may not:
- Do any baking or cooking activities.
- Operate power driven machinery.
- Work in an establishment covered by a liquor license.
- Work in dry cleaning or commercial laundry.
- Do building, construction or manufacturing work.
- Load or unload trucks, railroad cars, or conveyors.
- Work on a ladder or scaffold.
Please note age 14 is the minimum for most employment opportunities, except informal jobs like babysitting or yard work.