Policy 5113.1 - Work Permits

Work Permits

The Board of Education recognizes that part-time jobs can give students needed supplementary income, valuable work experience, and enhanced self-esteem. However, the Board also believes that outside employment should not interfere with students' educational progress nor impair their health. In accordance with law, students must obtain work permits from school authorities before accepting employment.

The Superintendent or designee shall issue work permits only as allowed by law and only to the extent that outside employment does not significantly interfere with the student's schoolwork. Students granted work permits must demonstrate and maintain satisfactory grades.

Students 16 or 17 years of age shall be granted approval to work more than 20 hours a week only when justified by unusual circumstances which shall be stated on the work permit.

Rule 5113.1

Before accepting employment, a student under the age of 18 who is subject to the state's compulsory attendance law, including students who have not yet graduated from high school or have not received a certificate of proficiency, shall obtain a work permit.

If a minor has obtained an offer of employment in the entertainment industry, he/she shall request a work permit from the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, pursuant to Labor Code 1308.5 and 8 CCR 11752-11753.

A student shall not be required to obtain a work permit if he/she is self-employed; is working at odd jobs such as yard work and babysitting in private homes where he/she is not regularly employed; is a self-employed news carrier delivering newspapers to consumers on a regular route; is employed by his/her parent/guardian in domestic labor on or in connection with premises the parent/guardian owns, operates, or controls; or is otherwise exempted by law.

Permits to Work When School is Not in Session

Students 12 through 17 years of age may receive a permit to work on a regular school holiday, during a regular or specified occasional public school vacation, and when the student is exempt from compulsory school attendance because he/she arrived from another state within 10 days before the end of the school term.

Persons Authorized to Issue Work Permits

1. The Superintendent
2. An employee holding a services credential with a specialization in pupil personnel services or a certificated work experience education teacher or coordinator, when authorized by the Superintendent in writing
3. A principal, or another school administrator designated by the principal, provided that he/she:
   1. Provides a self-certification that he/she understands the requirements of law for issuing a work permit
   2. Does not issue a work permit to his/her own child

If the person designated to issue work permits is not available and delay in issuing a permit would jeopardize a student's ability to secure work, the Superintendent may authorize another person to issue the permit.

Approval/Revocation of Work Permits

1. No work permit shall be issued until the student's parent/guardian, foster parent or residential shelter services provider has filed a written request with the district.
2. To help in determining the extent to which outside employment may be approved, the Superintendent or designee shall:
   1. Inspect the student's records for evidence of satisfactory grades and attendance.
   2. Confer with at least one of the student's teachers to determine whether the student appears to have the time, stamina, motivation and maturity to maintain academic progress while working.
3. After issuing a work permit, the Superintendent or designee shall periodically inspect the student's scholastic and attendance records.
4. The Superintendent or designee shall revoke a student's work permit whenever he/she determines that employment is impairing the student's health or education.
5. The Superintendent may revoke a work permit issued by a principal of a public or private school located within the district if the Superintendent becomes aware of any grounds upon which the student may be deemed ineligible for a work permit under law.
6. Minors shall not be approved to work in environments declared hazardous or dangerous for young workers or otherwise prohibited by child labor laws.
7. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the requested work hours do not exceed the maximum work hours specified in law based on the student's age and whether the employment will occur while school is in session and/or not in session.
8. Full-time employment may be authorized for students age 14-17 only in accordance with Education Code 49130-49135.
9. The request for a work permit shall be submitted to the Superintendent or designee on a form approved by the California Department of Education (CDE). The Superintendent or designee shall have discretion to determine whether or not to issue the work permit.
10. Each permit shall authorize work for a specific employer. Whenever a student changes employers, he/she shall request a new permit.
11. The student may be issued more than one work permit if he/she works concurrently for more than one employer, provided that the total number of hours worked does not exceed the total number of hours allowed by law and the district.

Retention of Records

The Superintendent or designee shall retain a copy of the work permit application and the work permit until the end of the fourth year after the work permit was issued.