The demand for the labor of children jumped: where teenagers are expected in the summer

There is an acute shortage of workers in the labor market. How else to explain the increase in vacancies offered by employers for adolescents aged 14-18 – as much as six times compared to last year? MK learned from experts in the field of recruiting which enterprises are waiting for teenagers and what their rights must be respected so that the employer is not accused of using “child labor”.

The demand for the hands of minors has really grown wildly. In April-early May 2023, 4,300 vacancies marked 14+ were opened on the hh recruitment portal. For comparison, in the comparable period last year, there were no more than 700 “children’s” positions. According to data from other recruiting companies, the number of vacancies for minors increased by 63%, and they were called for interviews by 75% more often.

– What can employers offer to teenagers in the summer, what seasonal vacancies are there for them? – I’m interested in Irina Svyatitskaya, head of the youth direction hh.

– From the seasonal – various positions in the landscaping of urban spaces, gardeners. You can get a job as an ice cream seller, an employee of amusement parks. Renting children’s cars in the park, working in a shooting range and on attractions, etc. Sellers of balloons, cotton candy, corn in parks and squares are also in demand in summer more than in winter … Various vacancies for counselors in children’s summer camps are added here. I would draw the attention of teenagers in high school to such an area of ​​employment as tutoring. It is in the summer that many parents strive to pull their children up in one or another subject for the new school year or prepare them for the first grade by hiring high school students for elementary school students … Do not forget about the traditional part-time work for schoolchildren – harvesting. Our agriculture always needs seasonal workers.

If we consider the year-round demand for young workers, then, according to the expert, in terms of the number of open vacancies available to applicants from 14 years old, job offers by promoters, couriers for light orders, and sellers are in the lead. Applicants themselves aged 14 to 18 are most often looking for work in the same areas – sales, catering, marketing and administrative positions. But if desired, a teenager can find a job in almost any field.

When discussing this topic, parents are usually divided into two camps: someone believes that children should not work, but they are more willing to take them because “it is easier to fool and push them around”, while the other half are in favor with both hands : “Never has “work” spoiled anyone!”.

“During my school years, for my active participation in the life of the school, I was awarded a trip to a children’s labor camp, where I could earn the first money,” Nadezhda from the Moscow Region told MK. – In those years, I lived in Stary Oskol, Belgorod Region, it was in 2000. We picked strawberries in the surrounding farms of the Belgorod region. Still weeded zucchini and tomatoes. The guys were there from all over the city, from different schools. We really enjoyed working with our classmates! I have never eaten so many strawberries (smiles). At the end of the shift, I was given the first money I earned, small (I don’t remember how much), but it was terribly pleasant.

Irina Svyatitskaya recalled what parents and employers need to pay attention to, and what children themselves need to know so that their rights are not violated when applying for a job and during it.

– It is important to remember that with adolescents aged 14-16, an employment contract is concluded only with the consent of the guardianship and guardianship authority and a free-form written permission from one of the parents. You will also need a certificate from the school with the training regime (class schedule).

The contract can also be concluded directly with 15-year-olds. But this is only in cases where a teenager has already received a general education by this time, left a general education institution, or is studying in the evening or by correspondence. Instead of the permission of parents and guardianship authorities in such situations, you will need a certificate or an order for expulsion from a general education institution.

Well, with teenagers 16-18 years old, an employment contract is concluded without the written permission of their parents.

For children, there are restrictions on working hours: no more than 4 hours a day (for 14-15 year olds) and 5 hours a day (for 15-16 year olds). When combined with study – up to 12 hours a week and 2.5 hours a day. For 16-18 years old – no more than 7 hours a day. When combined with study – up to 17.5 hours a week and 4 hours a day.

There are a number of other rules for employers: teenagers cannot be placed on probation; the proposed work should be easy work and not interfere with studies, and also not harm health and moral development. All minors are required to undergo a mandatory medical examination before employment. Children should not be forced to carry heavy loads and be involved in overtime work, work on weekends and holidays, as well as at night (from 22:00 to 6:00 in the morning).

With teenagers under 18 years old, it is impossible to conclude an agreement on full liability. But at the same time, you need to know that the employee bears it in cases where the damage was caused intentionally, while intoxicated, or as a result of a crime.