Chasing the Fionist Dream

Working a summer job is a fantastic way for teens to learn about money. While most teens still have their needs provided by their parents, earning their own money will allow them to cover their wants, budget, and plan for the future.

Sadly, teens and other young people often are unaware of their employee rights and are at risk of being mistreated or taken advantage of.

If you are the parent of a teen – or a teen yourself – this post is for you.

In Israel, teens age 14 and above are permitted to work under certain conditions. Younger teens have additional restrictions that older teens do not.

14 and 15-year-olds

• Are only allowed to work during summer vacation.
• May not work in physical labor or dangerous jobs. (Camp counselor and pizza parlor – yay. Construction or mining – nay.)
• Are not permitted to work more than 8 hours a day and must be given a 45-minute break after six hours.
• Cannot work more than 40 hours a week and may not work past 8 pm.
• Are forbidden from working on Shabbat (or their religious day of rest).

Older teens have more flexibility regarding work, but still have legal protections in place.

16 to 18-year-olds

• May work during the school year, as long as it is outside of school hours.
• Are not permitted to work more than 9 hours a day and must be given a 45-minute break after six hours.
• Cannot work more than 40 hours a week and may not work past 10 pm during the school year.
• Must be provided with a ride home if public transportation has finished for the day before the end of their shift.
• Are forbidden from working on Shabbat (or their religious day of rest).

Just like adults, teens must be paid for all training, and most other employee rights apply to them as well, with a few exceptions.

• Employers are not required to make pension deposits for teens.
• Teen minimum wage is lower than for adults.

For more information on teen employee rights, make sure to check out Teen Kol Zchut, Employment Services for teens, and the general rules for hiring teens.

We all want our kids to be safe, independent, happy, and learn a lot this summer. We hope that this post can help your teens have the best summer possible as they gain confidence, skills, and money while they stand up for their rights.

Do you have a teen working this summer? Did you have a summer job as a kid?

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