Empowering Teenagers Through the Power of Work
Teenagers deserve the freedom of finding a job, earning part-time income, and learning valuable skills. But outdated government permission slips are standing in the way—and they aren’t required under federal labor law.
Over the years, 16 states—from Oregon to Florida—have decided government “youth work permits” are unnecessary hurdles to teenage employment. After all, why should state bureaucrats and school administrators have the power to keep students from working a part-time job?
States across the nation agree: This decision should be left solely to parents and their teenagers, while keeping state and federal safety protections in place. Other states should follow suit.
DOES A TEENAGER UNDER 18 NEED TO GET GOVERNMENT PERMISSION TO WORK IN YOUR STATE?
Let Our Youth Thrive: Remove Unnecessary Work Permit Requirements
- Restore decision-making to parents
- Streamline the hiring process
- Remove administrative barriers for young Americans
- Help solve the labor shortage
- Modernize work
-
research
How States Can Streamline the Hiring Process for Teenage Workers and Restore Decision-Making to Parents
Now is the time for state lawmakers to eliminate unnecessary hurdles to teenage work and leave the decision-making to parents.
READ MORE -
one-pager
Let Our Youth Thrive: Remove Unnecessary Work Permit Requirements
To legally get a job in 34 states, teenagers must obtain a work permit from a government officer tasked with reviewing the teenagers’ occupations, work hours, and future employer information. State lawmakers can have an immediate impact on their local communities and economies by eliminating work permit requirements for teenagers.
READ MORE -
commentary
California Doesn't Care About Empowering Families. My State Does.
Our leaders in Arkansas want to help teenagers pick up that all-important first job during high school. On March 8, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law repealing our youth-permitting system.
READ MORE -
blog
Arkansas Removes Outdated Policy, Makes It Easier for Teens to Work
Good on Arkansas for joining the growing number of states that are preserving decision-making rights for students and their parents and are removing barriers for those who want to work.
READ MORE
Our Youth Workforce Experts
Our Latest Youth Workforce Research
-
ResearchTo Restore Confidence in Public Schools, States Must Seek Out Fresh Thinking and Increase Transparency
-
ResearchStates Must Ensure Colleges Have the Flexibility to Find the Best Accreditor
-
ResearchFlorida Can Supercharge Career and Technical Education Opportunities for Students
-
ResearchHow States Can Empower Families and Make It Easier for Teenagers to Find Their First Job
-
One-PagerLet Our Youth Thrive: Remove Unnecessary Work Permit Requirements
At FGA, we don’t just talk about changing policy—we make it happen.
By partnering with FGA through a gift, you can create more policy change that returns America to a country where entrepreneurship thrives, personal responsibility is rewarded, and paychecks replace welfare checks.