Students in the work force

~Teenagers are having the opportunity to work for the first time in their lives.

Publix has been allowing students from the age 14 to work there. Some may ask why students work there. Is it for the money, or for the experience?

Many students at our own school work at Publix, such as sophomore Peter Papadami. He is said to earn $8.25 an hour, and can work up to 10 hours a week.

“I wanted to work there because I needed the money, and the experience for other jobs I am going to get in the future,” said Papadami.

Students are able to work from 3-6:30 PM during the school week. Then from 7:30-6:30 during the weekends or on non-school days at the age of 14 and 15.

Students that are 16 and 17 have a different time range, but only by 30 minutes. They are able to work from 2:30-6:30 unlike the younger students.

From the age set of 14/15, students can be a bagger, cashier, and/or a floral clerk. From 16/17, they are able to work as a bakery clerk, demonstrator, and/or other stocking positions.

Even though students are able to work at this young of an age, federal and state laws have certain rules pertaining to student workers.

Students are restricted to how long they work while you are under the age of 18. Other things the government regulates are the positions you are able to work in.

Also, hazardous equipment and/or materials, a student will NOT be able to work with those items. This is due to the safety of him/herself, and others.

“I think that there should be more students that work at this age for a lot of insight into working,” Papadami said.

If a person is interested in working at Publix, you must be the age of 14 and apply, that’s it. Then that person will be able to work at Publix, “Where shopping is a pleasure.”