Working This Summer? A Teenager’s Guide to Staying Safe on the Job

Summer jobs offer teenagers valuable opportunities to gain work experience, earn money, and learn responsibility. From scooping ice cream and lifeguarding to working retail or landscaping, teens across the country dive into seasonal employment once school is out. 

But with these opportunities can also come risks.

Tragically, each summer, thousands of teenagers are injured on the job due to unsafe conditions, poor training, or labor violations. Some even lose their lives.

At Morgan & Morgan, we believe every worker deserves a safe and lawful workplace, including young workers who may not yet know their rights. When employers fail to maintain a reasonably safe workplace, employees, even part-time summer employees, can hold them accountable and may even be entitled to compensation for injuries suffered.

If you get hurt on your job, here’s what to do.

First, Know the Facts: The Rise of Teenage Employment in the Summer Months

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over 6 million American teenagers work summer jobs every year. In 2023, teen employment hit its highest rate since 2008, with many businesses relying on younger workers to meet seasonal demand.

Popular jobs for teens include:

• Fast food and restaurant service
• Grocery store and retail positions
• Lifeguarding or swim instructor roles
• Camp counseling
• Landscaping or outdoor labor
• Golf course or amusement park work
• Pet sitting and babysitting

While many of these jobs provide a safe and supportive environment, some expose teens to hazards they're not physically or emotionally prepared for. When teens lack proper training or supervision, the risk of injury skyrockets.

Common Teenage Workplace Injuries

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the most frequent job-related injuries for teens include:

• Cuts and lacerations (from knives or broken glass)
• Burns (from stoves, fryers, or hot surfaces)
• Slips and falls (especially in food service or retail)
• Sprains and strains (from lifting heavy objects or overexertion)
• Exposure to toxic chemicals (cleaning supplies or pesticides)
• Heat exhaustion or sunstroke (for outdoor jobs like landscaping or lifeguarding)

In severe cases, teen workers have suffered amputations, electric shocks, or fatal accidents involving heavy machinery or vehicles.

Know the Law: Legal Protections for Teen Workers

Fortunately, both federal and state laws exist to protect teen workers. Here’s a breakdown of the most important rules.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

The FLSA sets national standards for child labor. It limits the hours that teens can work and bans them from certain hazardous jobs.

For 14- and 15-year-olds:

• No more than 3 hours on a school day
• No more than 8 hours on a non-school day
• No more than 18 hours per week during school
• No more than 40 hours per week in the summer
• Work hours must be between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. (June 1–Labor Day)
   

For 16- and 17-year-olds:

• May work unlimited hours
• Still prohibited from doing hazardous jobs, including:
  • Operating heavy machinery
  • Driving vehicles
  • Using certain power tools
  • Working in roofing, excavation, or demolition

Many states have even stricter child labor laws. Employers must comply with whichever standard is more protective of the teen.

OSHA Protections

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to maintain a safe workplace, regardless of a worker’s age. Teen workers have the right to:

• Receive training in a language they understand
• Be provided with safety equipment
• Work with properly maintained tools
• Report unsafe conditions without retaliation

If these rights are violated, teens (or their parents) may be entitled to compensation, and may even help prevent the same thing from happening to others.

What Teens Should Know About Sexual Harassment at Work

Starting a job as a teenager can be exciting, providing a chance to earn your own money, gain experience, and take on more independence. But as empowering as work can be, it’s important to know your rights, especially when it comes to sexual harassment.

No matter the job, you deserve to feel safe and respected on the job.

So, what exactly is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is any unwanted behavior of a sexual nature that makes someone feel uncomfortable, unsafe, intimidated, or disrespected. It can happen between co-workers, bosses, customers, or even volunteers, and yes, it can happen to teens, too.

Examples of Sexual Harassment Teen Workers Should Watch Out For

Sexual harassment doesn’t always look the same. It can be obvious, or it can be subtle. Here are some common forms:

Physical:

• Unwanted touching, hugging, or brushing up against you
• Being grabbed, poked, or blocked from walking away
• Someone trying to kiss or grope you without consent
  
   

Verbal:

• Sexual jokes or comments about your body
• Inappropriate questions about your dating life
• Repeated comments that make you feel uncomfortable or objectified
  
   

Visual:

• Being shown explicit images or videos
• Someone staring or leering at you in a sexual way
• Sexually suggestive posters, screensavers, or memes around the workplace
   

Digital:

• Flirty or sexual messages over text, Snapchat, Instagram DMs, or work apps
• Inappropriate comments or pictures sent without your consent

If it makes you feel unsafe, disrespected, or uncomfortable, it matters. And you have a right to speak up.

What Parents Should Ask Before Their Teen Starts a Summer Job

If your teen is gearing up for summer work, take a proactive approach. A little preparation can go a long way in ensuring their safety.

Here are some questions to ask:

• What tasks will my child be doing?
• What training will they receive and when?
• Will they be supervised by an adult at all times?
• What safety equipment is provided?
• Does this job comply with child labor laws in my state?
• Is there a process for reporting unsafe conditions or harassment?

Encourage open communication with your teen, and let them know they can come to you if something doesn’t feel right at work.

Teen Workers and Wage Theft

While physical safety is a top concern, financial exploitation is another form of abuse that affects teen workers.

Common wage violations include:

• Paying less than minimum wage
• Refusing to pay for all hours worked (like after a shift ends)
• Withholding tips or denying breaks
• “Off-the-clock” work
• Failing to provide overtime pay (when applicable)

If your teen is being shorted on wages or forced to work illegal hours, it’s important to take action. Wage theft is a serious offense, and your family may be owed back pay plus damages.

What to Do if Your Teen Is Hurt, Harassed, or Underpaid

If your child is injured at work, here’s how to protect their health, safety, and legal rights:

1. If Hurt, Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even minor injuries should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Be sure to document every aspect of care, including costs and treatment plans.

2. Report the Incident to the Employer

Your teen should notify their supervisor right away. In many states, this is a requirement to begin the workers’ compensation process.

3. File a Workers’ Compensation Claim, if Applicable

Yes, teens are eligible for workers’ compensation. This can cover medical bills, lost wages, and sometimes rehabilitation or therapy costs.

4. Document Everything

Keep copies of incident reports, medical records, and communication with the employer.

5. Contact Morgan & Morgan

If the injury was caused by unsafe working conditions, defective equipment, or employer negligence, your family may be entitled to additional compensation.

At Morgan & Morgan, we’ve helped families just like yours fight back against unsafe employers. We handle cases involving teen worker injuries with the sensitivity and urgency they deserve.

Need Help? Contact Morgan & Morgan

Teenagers may be new to the workforce, but that doesn’t mean they should be silent or powerless. Many parents don’t realize they can take legal action when their child is injured or exploited on the job. But with the help of an experienced personal injury or labor attorney, you can file a workers’ compensation claim, pursue a personal injury lawsuit (if a third party or gross negligence caused the harm), file a wage theft complaint, and/or hold employers accountable and prevent harm to other young workers.

If your child was injured at their summer job or if you believe their rights were violated, Morgan & Morgan is here to help your family every step of the way. Our attorneys have decades of experience fighting for injured workers, including teens who were hurt due to unsafe conditions, poor supervision, or labor violations.

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.