Q: Does my daughter, age 16, need working papers to work in our family business part time? She has graduated high school

A: In New York State (there may be additional requirements for NYC), if you are aged 14-17 you will need an employment certificate, also called working papers, in order to hold a job in New York State.

This rule covers:

High school graduates

Minors who work for their parents

Minors who do industrial homework

Working papers are divided into two age groups (14-15 and 16-17):

14-15-year-olds - Your working papers are blue. If you are 14 and 15 years old, you are issued these working papers because you are not allowed to work in a factory.

16-17-year-olds (in school) - Your working papers are green. The difference between 14-15 year old working papers and 16-17 year old working papers is that you are allowed to work in a factory. You cannot work around certain machines, do construction work, help on a motor vehicle, clean, oil, wipe, or adjust belts on machinery.

16-17-year-olds (out of school) - Your working papers are peach. If you are 16 to 17 years old and are not in school or are leaving school for full time employment, you will need these working papers. You are allowed to work in a factory, cannot work around certain machines, do construction work, help on a motor vehicle, or clean, oil, wipe, or adjust belts on machinery.

A: In New York, a 16-year-old can work in a family business under certain conditions. Generally, minors who are 14 or 15 years old are allowed to work in a family business as long as the work is not hazardous and they have appropriate work permits. However, for 16-year-olds, there are usually no restrictions on working in a family business, as long as the work is not considered hazardous or detrimental to their health and safety. It's always a good idea to check with the New York State Department of Labor or a legal professional to ensure compliance with specific regulations.