Guide

Employment Standards Branch
FACTSHEET
This factsheet has been prepared for general information purposes. It is not a legal document. Please refer to the
Employment Standards Act and Regulation for purposes of interpretation and application of the law.
December 2008
Employment of Young People

A Guide for Parents
When you visit the workplace where your child will

be employed, ensure he or she will not work near
obvious hazards such as power tools or sharp
implements such as knives or saws, hot grills, deep
fryers or boiling water. Ensure he or she will not be
exposed to hazardous substances such as chemicals
in cleaning agents or other products. Discuss any
concerns you have with the employer.
Meet the prospective employer and discuss the

supervision arrangements. The law requires that an
employee who is under 15 year of age be under the
direct supervision of an adult (19 years or older) at
all times while at work.
Ask the employer what tools or equipment your

child may be using or have access to and what
training may be required.
Ask the employer what workplace safety training

and Workplace Hazardous Materials training your
child will receive, and who will be doing the training.
Give the employer contact information for you or

another responsible adult in case of emergency.
Show the employer proof of your childs age. The

employer may want to make a photocopy for his or
her records.
If any special safety clothing or equipment such as

steel-toed boots or latex gloves will be required,
consider whether that work environment is
appropriate for your child.
Ask if your child is expected to wear a uniform, and

who will be responsible for cleaning and
maintaining the uniform.
Ask for the full name and phone number of the

employers representative to be contacted in the
event of illness, or other issues relating to your
childs employment.
Under the B.C. Employment Standards Act, children who

are 12 or older, but have not yet turned 15, cannot be
employed without the written consent of a parent or
legal guardian. Children under 12 years of age cannot be
employed without a child employment permit issued by
the Director of Employment Standards.
The following information and suggestions should assist

parents in making a decision whether or not to permit
their 12 to 14 year-old child to be employed.
Ensure that your child will have safe and reliable

transportation at all times to and from work and will
not be travelling alone in early morning or late
evening.
Ask the employer to describe the specific job duties
your child will perform and the hours your child will
be expected to work.
Ministry of Labour, Citizens Services

and Open Government
continued...
For more information:
Phone:
1 800 663-3316 or 250 612-4100
in Prince George
Website:
www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb

and Open Government
Page 2 of 3
Ask if your child will have a comprehensive

orientation session so he or she is comfortable
in the workplace.
Ask what wage rate your child will be receiving,
what the pay schedule is, and familiarize your
child with his or her rights under the Employment
Standards Act.
Ask about work breaks your child will take, such
as lunch breaks and whether the breaks are paid.
Discuss the importance of school with your

child, and ask the school to contact you with any
concerns that employment is negatively
impacting your childs grades or attendance.
After seeing the workplace and speaking to the

employer you should assess whether your child
has the necessary maturity or physical ability to
follow instructions and perform the assigned
tasks.
Additional Resources
The Employment Standards website contains links to
the Employment Standards Act and Regulation, our
interpretation guidelines manual and various factsheets.
Specific provisions apply to certain employment sectors
such as the film and television industry. More
information is available at
www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/chldflm.
We also recommend that parents and youth visit
the Young Worker section of the WorkSafeBC
website. Go to www.worksafebc.com and choose
young worker under the Safety at Work topic
menu.
Sample Parent or Guardian Written Consent

Following is a sample letter of consent for employment
of a young person. This letter must be signed by a
parent or guardian and a copy kept by the employer of
your child. You can customize it to most accurately
reflect the employment.
continued...

and Open Government
Page 3 of 3
YOUNG PERSONS EMPLOYMENT Written Consent of Parent or Guardian

Date of Consent (M/D/Y):
Dates of Work:
From:
To:
CHILD INFORMATION
Name (Please print in full):
Date of Birth (M/D/Y):
Address (Street, City):
Postal Code:
Phone Number (include Area Code):
Alternate Phone Number:
EMPLOYER INFORMATION
Name:
Work Location:
Contact Phone Numbers:
Hours:
PARENT/GUARDIAN DECLARATION
I _____________________________ am the parent of this child. I am the legal guardian of this child.
Name (Please print in full)
This is my written consent for my child to be employed. I have read and am familiar with the Employment Standards
Act & Regulation regarding the employment of young people.
I have noted the specifics of location, hours of work and type of work to be performed.
Signature:
Address (If different than childs):
Phone Number (If different than Child)
Alternate Phone Number:
This Written Consent along with proof of the childs age must be retained by the employer as part of the
employment records.
(Parent or guardian should retain a copy for own record).

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Employment Standards Branch

Employment of Young People

When you visit the workplace where your child will

Meet the prospective employer and discuss the

Ask the employer what tools or equipment your

Ask the employer what workplace safety training

Give the employer contact information for you or

Show the employer proof of your childs age. The

If any special safety clothing or equipment such as

Ask if your child is expected to wear a uniform, and

Ask for the full name and phone number of the

Under the B.C. Employment Standards Act, children who

The following information and suggestions should assist

Ensure that your child will have safe and reliable

Ministry of Labour, Citizens Services

Ministry of Labour, Citizens Services

Employment of Young People

Ask if your child will have a comprehensive

Discuss the importance of school with your

After seeing the workplace and speaking to the

Sample Parent or Guardian Written Consent

Ministry of Labour, Citizens Services

Employment of Young People

YOUNG PERSONS EMPLOYMENT Written Consent of Parent or Guardian

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