High Life : A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Lawmakers Push Teen Work Curbs
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Lawmakers are coming up with a variety of ways to reduce the number of hours teen-agers work in after-school jobs, feeling that an excessive workload interferes with studies.
In Maine, anyone younger than 18 will be allowed to work up to 20 hours a week--and no longer--when school is in session, according to the November issue of NEA Today, the newspaper of the National Education Assn. The law, which took effect in October, also bars teen-agers from working before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays.
Tennessee passed a similar measure last year, and other states are expected to follow suit.
Federal law already restricts teen-agers from working before 5 a.m. or after 10 p.m. In California, teens also are limited to a maximum of four hours of work on any day prior to a school day, but that increases to eight hours on days before non-school days.
Many businesses--especially restaurants and grocery stores--aren’t pleased with the new laws. They make heavy use of teens on their early-morning and late-night crews.
“The trouble with unemployment is that the minute you wake up in the morning, you’re on the job.”--Slappy White, comedian
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