By: Savannah Scarborough, Follow South Jersey Intern
SOUTH JERSEY – As of June 1, teenagers can now receive working papers by submitting an application online, according to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL).
“This is a significant update in how minors acquire their working papers, which they need for employment in New Jersey,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo in a press release from the department.
Many employers hire workers under the age of 18. Minors employed by a company require working papers to start that job. Now, with NJDOL’s new application process on their website, minors can visit the site and register, following the prompts to complete the working papers and application online.
The intention behind this website is to exclude schools from the working papers process and have minors, employers, and caregivers all play a role instead. Minors, employers, and caregivers will receive email notifications when it is their turn to take action, says the NJDOL press release.
The NJDOL administers this digitized, streamlined process following the A4222/S2796 law that New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed last year. The established law works to enhance protections for the state’s young workers.
The application contains a five-step process:
- Minors and their employers individually visit MyWorkingPapers.nj.gov to get started.
- Employers receive an 8-digit code when they register, which they share with each minor they hire.
- The hired minor then completes the online working papers application, entering their caregiver’s name, email, address, and the employer’s 8-digit code (this code links the application to the specific employer for the minor.)
- Employers and caregivers will receive emails to complete their application portions and sign off on the minor’s behalf. Caregivers must upload a copy of the minor’s birth certificate, passport, or other official documents to verify the minor’s age.)
- Once the application is approved, the minor can begin working.
“It’s quicker, easier, and this new process gives NJDOL a welcome opportunity to reach minors and their caregivers about career and apprenticeship opportunities and to make minors aware of their work rights when it matters most – when they start their first job,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo.
The NJDOL acknowledges its responsibility to serve and protect the state’s workforce, especially minors. The NJDOL has developed various online information and services specifically for young workers. Some of these services include information on resume writing and interviewing skills, child labor laws, and information on wages, hours, and types of work permitted for minors. To view all of this information, click here.
It is important to the NJDOL that every school official, teenager, parent, and the employer knows about the new online application process for minors so that no teenager experiences a delay in obtaining papers to work. On their website, there are posters that teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, etc., can be posted online, in schools, and more to spread awareness.
If you are a minor who needs working papers before this application service launches on June 1, visit NJDOL’s young worker hub to get the paper format of this application. For more general information about the minors working papers application process visit, https://nj.gov/labor/youngworkers/find-a-job/working-papers/getstarted.shtml.
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