The New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development has announced that working papers for teen summer jobs are now accessible online. Employers, teen workers, and their caregivers can obtain these documents by visiting MyWorkingPapers.nj.gov.
Minors under the age of 18 who need working papers to start a job in New Jersey, along with their employers, must register on the site. This initiative follows the enactment of a law supported by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) to modernize the process. Public schools no longer participate in the application process.
Since the launch of this online system last year, nearly 14,000 employers have registered and over 111,300 minors have applied for working papers. According to NJDOL, approximately 65% of these applications (72,000) have been approved.
The new application process involves several steps:
1. Both minors and employers visit MyWorkingPapers.nj.gov to initiate the process.
2. Employers receive a unique 8-digit code upon registration, which they provide to each minor they hire.
3. Minors must secure an offer of employment before applying for working papers. They then complete the online application by entering their caregiver’s name and email address along with the employer’s 8-digit code.
4. The employer and caregiver receive emails prompting them to complete their portions of the application and sign off. Caregivers are also required to upload a copy of an official document verifying the minor’s age.
5. Once approved, minors can begin working.
All parties involved—minors, employers, and caregivers—receive email notifications at each step of the process. The NJDOL informs both the minor and employer via email whether the application has been approved or rejected.
Linda Doherty, President & CEO of the New Jersey Food Council—which represents food retailers and convenience stores employing teenagers—praised the new system: “The NJ Minor Working Papers Program is working effectively because it allows employers to fill jobs, appropriately staff operations and serve their customers while promoting a youth workforce with a skill set and opportunity to succeed.”
