Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Educating teen workers about their workplace rights is at the heart of a YouthRules! partnership announced today by the U.S. Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division and the School District of Philadelphia.

During the two-year partnership, the school district will provide federal youth employment information to every minor who applies for an employment certificate or work permit. Information about the youth employment and minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act will also be provided to the minor’s parents who will be encouraged to review the materials with their working teens.

"This partnership is a major step in our effort to ensure that working youth in Philadelphia are educated about their rights and receive the proper protections. It is a natural progression for the relationship we established with the school district through our YouthRules! Rally,” said Corlis Sellers, regional administrator for the Wage and Hour Division in Philadelphia "We look forward to building on our relationship through this important effort."

The Labor Department will supply updated information on federal youth employment laws, give presentations, conduct training seminars and provide technical assistance as needed. The District will work closely with the Labor Department to identify potential violations of the federal youth employment, minimum wage and overtime laws.

“This program helps students prepare to take full advantage of the opportunities to become more responsible and yet properly balance job and school schedules,” said Paul Vallas, CEO of the School District of Philadelphia.

For the past two years, the school district has played an active role in the Philadelphia YouthRules! Rally, held at the Gallery at Market East, 9th and Market Streets. The rally is an annual community outreach event designed to educate teen workers, parents and educators about workplace protections and programs available to workers under the age of 18. This year’s rally is scheduled April 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Center Court of the Gallery and will feature federal, state and local workplace experts, as well as Power 99 FM.

YouthRules! is a public awareness campaign launched in May 2002 by U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao to educate young workers, parents and employers about the jobs that young people can perform and hours they can work. Information about the campaign and the youth employment provisions are available on the Internet at www.youthrules.dol.gov. For additional information about FLSA provisions, call the Department of Labor’s toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE or visit www.wagehour.dol.gov.

The Philadelphia District Office of the Wage and Hour Division will participate in the partnership. For more information, call (215) 597-4950.

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.