Beginning June 1 New Jersey minors looking to work can now easily do so, by accessing a new online application website.
The new program announced by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), allows teenagers who need working papers to simply log on to at MyWorkingPapers.nj.gov to access the work forms needed to legally work within the Garden State.
The new site permits both the minor and the perspective employer looking to hire a young worker under 18-years-of-age, to first access the site and register. Once registered, the site will then prompt the user to complete the working papers application online.
Online Application
Once the online process is completed, the NJDOL will then provide a digitized version of the application in accordance with Governor Murphy’s A4222/S2796 bill, signed last year into law. The new legislation adds another layer of protection for the under aged worker, while also streamlining the entire process.
Schools had previously played a role in the hiring process of under-aged workers. However, that practice has been eliminated and redirected towards those individuals directly impacted by the process, namely minors, employers, and their caregivers.
Commissioner: Quicker, Easier Process
The new mandated guidelines will directly inform both the minor seeking employment and his prospective employer, through a series of emails notifications the current status of their application, and when it’s their turn to take action within the hiring process.
The minor and employer will then receive an email near the end of the hiring process, letting them know whether their application was approved or rejected.
“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. “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.”
Five Easy Steps
Here’s how the new five step application process works:
- Both the minor and their employer will each go to the nj.gov website and begin the application process.
- The employer will then receive a unique eight digit code after they’ve completed their initial registration, which they are required to share with every minor they hire.
- The minor will complete the online working papers application process, entering all relevant information, such as their caregiver’s name and email address, and the employer’s eight digit code, which links the application to a specific employer.
- Once all the pertinent information has been entered into the system, emails will then prompt both the employer and caregiver to complete their portions of the application and individually sign off on them. The website will then prompt the caregiver to upload a copy of the minors (teenagers) birth certificate, passport or other official document verifying the minor’s age.
- Once the application is approved, the minor can then begin legally working for the employer.
Child Labor Laws
New Jersey’s obligation and responsibility in protecting the welfare and wellbeing of its young workforce, is to insure they understand how New Jersey’s Child Labor Law protects them, by limiting the number of hours a minor can work and the type of work they can do, among other requirements.
NJDOL has also developed a suite of online information and services specifically designed for young workers breaking into the labor force. It contains information on resume writing and interviewing skills, child labor laws, and more. Information on wages, hours, and types of work permitted for minors can be found here.
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