Congratulations, you’re hired! You just heard the three words you’ve been waiting for since your parents said you could go on that class trip to Barcelona (but only if you pay for it). Prepare yourself (pre-first day) for what it means to have a job, whether it’s at McD’s, Macy’s, or your dad’s office.
Yes, believe it or not, there is more to employment than filling out I-9’s and W-4’s and learning the dreaded tag lines: “Would you like fries with that?” “Can I interest you in a matching sweater?” or “Hold, please.” You are now an official member of the working world, and with that comes many rights and responsibilities.
1. You have the right to get paid.
This may sound stupidly simplistic, but the fact is, some shady employers try to cheat young people by telling them they won’t get paid for on-the-job training. This is a lie. One exception is if you’re an intern. (Most internships are nonpaying or very low paying.)
Also, anyone under 20 can be subject to a 90-day “trial” period during which your employer is only required to pay at least $4.25 per hour as opposed to the federal minimum wage, $5.15. However, state compensation laws don’t always follow the federal minimum wage standards. For example, states such as California, Connecticut, and Washington pay more, some pay less (e.g., Ohio and New Mexico), and some don’t have any set minimums at all (e.g., Arizona and Florida). Where federal and state laws have different minimum wage rates, the higher pay applies. Find out what your state’s wages are.
The wages for tipped employees such as waiters or valets are always lower than minimum wage, usually $2.13 an hour.
If you’re at least 16, you also have the right to time-and-a-half for every hour you work beyond 40 hours per week. This means that if you get $5.15 per hour regularly, you’ll get $7.73 per hour overtime. If you’re under 16, you’re not permitted to work any overtime, so time-and-a-half rules don’t apply.
As a part-time employee, you do not have the right to sick pay or holiday pay (or breaks), although your employer and/or state law may mandate otherwise.
2. You have the right to be free from harassment and discrimination.
Have you ever seen “EOE” in fine print on the bottom of employment applications or want ads? EOE stands for “Equal Opportunity Employer,” and it means that by law, all qualified applicants have an equal chance at the position without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. It also means the employer maintains a work environment free of sexual and physical harassment. Therefore, if a coworker or supervisor hits you, hits on you, or otherwise makes you feel uncomfortable, report it immediately to a manager or the human resources department.
3. You have a responsibility to be responsible.
Say what?
- You cannot skip work because it clashes with the coolest party of the year.
- Show up for work on time, in uniform, whether that’s khaki shorts and a white tee, some atrocious multicolored polyester number, or the first thing you grabbed out of the closet — regardless, make sure it’s hole-free, wrinkle-free, and stain-free.
- If lateness is absolutely unavoidable, call ahead to let your supervisor know.
- If you’re sick, give as much notice of your absence as possible.
- Don’t steal from your employer — not money, inventory, or office supplies. “Everybody does it” just doesn’t cut it. Stealing is stealing — period.
Welcome to the rat race!
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