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Parents often struggle to determine whether their children should work before they graduate from high school. A child who works can learn important skills and responsibilities necessary for adulthood, and earn money to help with the rising costs of college. On the other hand, time spent at a job may interfere with school and family activities, harm a grade point average, and lead a child away from education and into the work force at an earlier age, resulting in a lesser income over the course of the child's life.

Alaska law allows a child as young as 14 to work in certain types of jobs. Alaska law imposes a nine hour total of school attendance plus employment in any one day when school is in session. Work must be performed between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. and the work week is limited to 23 hours, and up to 40 hours during school vacations. The Federal law is stricter that Alaska law, as it does not allow a child of 14 or 15 to work before 7:00 a.m. Once a child reaches the age of 16, these restrictions relax, however, a 16 or 17 year old child can not be employed more than six days in any week. Prior to a child working, a work permit completed by both the employer and parent or guardian must be applied for and approved by the Commissioner of Labor prior to the authorization for any employment.

A parent may employ a child and receive certain beneficial tax benefits. Consulting with a CPA is advisable to determine any tax advantages.

Parents who allow their children to work may want to monitor the child's school progress while working, and inform the child that work will cease if the school work is not properly completed. The type of job the child applies for may also be important. If a future career is desired, a child may want to try out in a job that is in the same field. On a resume, the high school job experience may later give a college graduate an edge over others who have never had a job, and open doors in the workplace.

The Alaska Department of Labor Alaska Employment Service pre-screens youth for skills, abilities and attitudes, and assist youth in applying for funded programs such as Job Corps and the Summer Youth Employment Program, which provide certain young people job training and a chance to try out career occupations. For more information, call (907) 269-4800.

If you have any questions regarding the laws as they apply to children who are working, it may be wise to speak with a lawyer.

Steven Pradell is an Anchorage attorney with a practice emphasizing family law, including children's issues, divorce, custody, child support and adoption. ©1996 by Steven Pradell. This article is not intended to provide legal advice and should not be relied on for that purpose.

The law office of Pradell and Associates provides low cost legal consultations. A helpful staff provides prompt, courteous services to meet your legal needs. Give Pradell and Associates a call today, at (907) 279-4529-- (279-4LAW).