What should you do if you have a problem at work?

First talk to your supervisor about the problem. It is a good idea to keep a written record of the following details: what you discussed, who you talked to, and the date you talked about it. In preparation for talking to your supervisor it may be helpful to learn what your rights are as a teen worker.

Also talk to your parent, guardian or teacher and let them know about the situation at work. They may be able to give you some advice on how to best handle the situation.

Click below for information on how to get help on specific workplace problems:

• Work hours, breaks, wages, or prohibited duties
• Unsafe working conditions
• Getting hurt on the job
• Discrimination or sexual harassment

Work hours, breaks, wages, or prohibited duties
For more information about work hours, breaks, wages, or prohibited duties for young workers in Washington State go to:
http://www.lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/TeenWorkers/

For advice or to report a problem, contact the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) Employment Standards Division at 1-800-423-7233. You can also send an e-mail to teensafety@lni.wa.gov.

Unsafe working conditions
For advice or to report a safety problem at work, contact the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) at 1-800-423-7233. You can also send an e-mail to teensafety@lni.wa.gov.

Getting hurt on the job
If you get hurt on the job, inform your supervisor as soon as possible. Your supervisor should provide you with an accident report form (also called an injury claim report) that you will need to fill out and return to your supervisor. Make sure you write down when and where the accident happened so you don't forget this important information that will be needed for the report.

Filling out an injury claim report protects you by recording the details about your injury and how the injury was related to your job or worksite. Washington State has a program in place to protect you if you get hurt from a job-related injury or illness called Workers Compensation.

If you are unable to work because of a job-related injury or illness, you may be paid a percentage of your regular wage. This program may also pay for other costs related to your injury such as doctor and hospital bills related to the treating your injury.

If your supervisor does not provide you with an injury claim report, call the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) at 1-800-423-7233 and they will send you the form. You can also send an e-mail to teensafety@lni.wa.gov.

Also, talk to your parent, guardian or teacher and let then know about the situation.

Discrimination or sexual harassment
The laws that deal with discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace are enforced by a federal agency called the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). To learn more about sexual harassment and how it can affect you, go the EEOC web site: http://youth.eeoc.gov.

If you have additional questions or concerns about workplace sexual harassment or job discrimination, you can contact the following offices:

Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Federal Office Building
909 First Avenue
Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98104-1061
Phone: 206-220-6883 or 1-800-669-4000
TTY: 206-220-6882 or 1-800-669-6820
Website: http://www.eeoc.gov/

Washington State Human Rights Commission
711 South Capitol Way, Suite 402
P.O. Box 42490
Olympia, WA 98504-2490
Phone: 360-753-6770
Fax: 360-586-2282
TTY: 800-300-7525
Website: http://www.hum.wa.gov

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