Does your teen need a summer job in SC? Here’s how to stay within state law

School’s been out for a few weeks now and your teen seems to be at loose ends. Bored. Nothing to do. Even social media can be a drag.

What to do?

A job, perhaps?

A Pew Research Center report found restaurants and hotels employ the most teens and has done so for the past 20 years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says 6.2 million people aged 16 to 19 were in the labor force in April, and about a third were working in the hospitality industry.

But there are laws governing who can work and when.

Here’s what South Carolina law says about that.

If your child is under 14 years old, it’s a no go unless they’re in show business or working for you at a family business or farm. Twelve and 13 year olds can work at a non-hazardous job on a farm with your consent.

Otherwise, it’s considered “oppressive child labor,” according to the statute.

For teens 14 and 15, 40 hours a week is OK during summer between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. During school they can work no more than 3 hours a day up to 18 hours a week. A normal schedule would be 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m, the statute says.

Here’s some examples of what the state considers appropriate jobs for this age group — cashier, serving food, custodial duties, clearing tables, car washing, and delivery work as long as they’re not driving since you have to be 17 to have an unrestricted license.

Things they can’t do — warehousing and storage; car repair; public utility duties; work involving the use of ladders or scaffolding; work involving food preparation; the use of grinders; or the operation of lawnmower and golf carts.

They also can’t perform jobs deemed hazardous as listed in the statute, such as manufacturing or storing explosives, coal mining, sawmilling, woodworking, meat packing and roofing.

The state also says they can’t be exposed to radioactive substances and to ionizing radiations or wrecking, demolition, ship-breaking and excavation operations.

Teens over 16 years old are exempt from hour restrictions.

“These minors may work as many daily and weekly hours as the job responsibilities require or the employer requests,” the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation says on its website.

Also, no hazardous work for 16 and 17 year olds.

Then comes 18 years old, the age of majority when everything opens up. Adults in the eyes of the law. Vote, sign contracts and join the workforce.