APA resolution highlights need for safe work environments for adolescents

The American Psychological Association is urging employers to establish safe working environments and work hours for adolescent employees in the wake of recent reports of youth being injured or killed due to unsafe job conditions.

"APA calls on state and federal agency officials to increase enforcement of laws, regulations and penalties for industries and employers engaging in exploitative and detrimental youth labor practices that compromise the health, well-being and economic advancement of adolescents in the labor market," according to a resolution adopted by the association's governing Council of Representatives on Aug. 2.

"This includes modernizing and expanding hazardous occupation limits to better protect adolescents at work, increasing staffing of the [Department of Labor's] Wage and Hour Division to investigate child labor violations, and enforcing age verification."

The resolution asks the field of psychology and policymakers to support increased research, monitoring, intervention, advocacy and policy to inform and guide safe labor practices for adolescents. It also calls for protecting educational attainment and opportunities for future earnings, promoting equity, and preventing exploitation and abuse. It passed by a vote of 161-2, with 2 abstentions.

Violations of child labor laws and state level proposals to diminish longstanding child labor protections in the U.S. are on the rise, the resolution notes. Youth who are most at risk of being exploited by workplaces include those living in poverty or in families where the adults are unemployed, youth of color, youth experiencing homelessness, and youth with developmental or physical disabilities. The effects of employment on young people's health and well-being have not been extensively studied, the resolution says, but stressful work conditions and intensive hours have been associated with negative effects on adolescents' behavior, school achievement and overall well-being.

"Given the changing landscape of adolescent employment, as well as the many current threats to education, health and well-being, there is a critical need for new research—in the current historical context—on the impact of adolescent work across a range of outcomes," it says.

More information:
Developmental Risks and Opportunities in Adolescent Employment. www.apa.org/about/policy/resol … scent-employment.pdf

Provided by American Psychological Association