Most Minnesota teens have a part-time job at some point during high school or maybe work during the summers and school breaks. While there are some limits on the type of work that those who are under 18 can do, they can still suffer injuries – even serious ones.
Many teens and even their parents often don’t realize that they have the same right to workers’ compensation as their co-workers. Under Minnesota law, most private employers are required to carry workers’ comp insurance for their employees or at least get authorization to “self-insure.” There are exceptions for those who own farms.
According to the law, employers who are required to carry workers’ comp insurance must make it available to “any individual who performs services for another, for hire, including minors, part-time workers and workers who are not citizens.”
Employers must also adhere to restrictions for teen employees
As noted, the state places restrictions on the type of work that teens can do. There are also restrictions on the hours they can work. Minnesota law limits the kind of jobs that those under 14 can legally do, and even those typically require parental consent and in some cases parental supervision.
The restrictions get lighter for older teens. For example, those under 16 generally are limited to after school and early evening hours. Those who are 16 and 17 are typically prohibited only from working late night and early morning hours. Kids who work on farms (often their families’ farms) are exempted from a number of these restrictions.
Why teens and parents need to know their rights
All employers have a duty not only to obey the laws that are in place to protect young workers. They have an obligation to keep them as safe as possible in the workplace. Too often, teens don’t get the same training or their older, full-time colleagues do. This can endanger their safety.
Further, some employers can give teens (intentionally or not) inaccurate information about workers’ comp. They may tell them they aren’t eligible for it or that if they file a workers’ comp claim, they’ll be fired or have their hours limited. Teens may face retaliation from employers if they move forward with a claim. All of these things are prohibited.
It’s crucial for teens and their parents to know their rights regarding workers’ comp if they suffer a work-related injury or illness. Sometimes, it may be necessary to get legal guidance to protect those rights and secure the workers’ compensation to which they’re entitled, and that’s okay.