Teach Your Children Well…

     Recently while speaking with the employees of ALCOA Howmet at their facility in Whitehall Michigan I was approached by Peggy, a worker with a concern that she wanted to share. Peggy informed me that she has two teen aged sons and that one of them, the older of the two picked up a summer job at an amusement park. Most of the kids in that area did and though the park didn’t even pay minimum wage, it was convenient. It was on this summer job that Peggy’s son was instructed by his boss to climb a ladder to work in an area that the boy felt was not safe. There were obstacles and clutter all about and it just didn’t feel “right”. But, he did it anyways and unfortunately he had a fall from the ladder that resulted in an injury that never should have happened. “Why did you do it”, Peggy asked. “I didn’t think that I had a choice”, was his response. “I didn’t want to get fired”. Peggy was livid. Her son had been instructed by the adult in charge to place himself in harm’s way for less than minimum wage and the boy didn’t realize that he had the right to say NO.

     With summer approaching the possibility of our children taking seasonal jobs and becoming part of the workforce perhaps for the first time, we need to be Stewards of Safety. This would be an excellent time for a heart to heart discussion with them about the perils that may exist in the workplace and their rights at work. They have to understand that though they have responsibilities in the workplace, their biggest responsibility is to themselves. Let them know that they have a right to say NO! loud and clear.

     For one website that features teenager’s rights in the workplace, please check out the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. www.lni.wa.gov

     Another good resource is the teen worker section of the OSHA website: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/teenworkers

     Thanks to all of the employees of ALCOA Howmet for their participation, attention, and consideration during our time spent together there this month.