Governor unveils “Youth Workers’ Bill of Rights”

Provides youth with protections at workplace

ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a new “Youth Worker Bill of Rights” to protect New York State youth as they head out for summer jobs — or even their first permanent job.

First announced in Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address in January, the Youth Worker Bill of Rights is in response to a rise in child labor violations in the state. In 2022, New York State experienced a 68 percent spike in reports of child labor violations. The document was one of several measures to combat the problem, including the creation of an inter-agency Child Labor Task Force, the launch of an Employer Pledge Program for businesses, and the creation of a new Labor Trafficking Response Unit at the New York State Department of Labor.

The Bill of Rights was written in partnership with the New York State Education Department and creates a resource that details essential rights and protections for every worker under the age of 18.

“Every worker in our state deserves a fair, safe work environment, especially our young people,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “My administration is taking action to ensure that our youngest workers feel empowered, protected, and well-informed, and by fulfilling my State of the State commitment to creating our first-ever Youth Workers Bill of Rights, we are continuing to make strides toward making New York the safest and most worker-friendly state in the nation.”

The Youth Worker’s Bill of Rights seeks to educate first-time workers by explaining the rights all workers enjoy, as well as protections specific to workers under 18. Among those rights and protections are:

• A minimum wage,
• a safe workplace, free from discrimination, and
• the right to file a complaint without fear of retaliation.

“The Youth Worker Bill of Rights gives young New Yorkers vital information about their rights as employees,” New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa said in a statement. “Knowledge is power; so, knowing your rights and how to enforce them will benefit working students throughout the State. I commend Governor Hochul and our Department of Labor colleagues for their ongoing initiatives to guarantee the welfare of New York’s young and future generations.”

The document will be distributed to every young worker upon receiving their working papers from the state. It will also be distributed to youth workers in various forms, including a pocket guide. Educators and administrative staff will also receive a poster of the document to hang in schools, and it will also be available online for anyone to access.

In conjunction with Governor Hochul’s unveiling, the Department of Labor also unveiled a new Youth Worker Information Hub. The hub is an education resource for young people as they prepare to enter the workforce. It provides information regarding working protections for young people, including permitted work hours during school days, how to make sure they are being paid the correct minimum wage, and prohibited occupations for children under 18.

Youth workers can view the Youth Worker Bill of Rights in its entirety at the link here. For moreinformation, youth workers are encouraged to access the Youth Worker Information Hub at the link here.

“Governor Hochul’s directive to NYSDOL to create and distribute the Youth Workers Bill of Rights underscores her unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of New York State’s youth workforce,” Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said in a statement. “This comprehensive document educates young people about their rights in the workplace and equips them with the knowledge and tools to address violations of their labor rights effectively. By outlining clear guidelines and standards, the Youth Workers Bill of Rights aims to empower young workers and raise awareness about their rights as valuable members of the workforce.”