Youth Seeking Subminimum Wage Employment

What can a youth, or youth’s parent, expect when coming to DOR for subminimum wage employment?

Thinking about getting a job in your community that pays minimum wage or better can be scary. That’s one reason why some youth and their families like to try working in subminimum wage jobs first—so they can get used to working. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) encourages youth 24 years of age and younger and their families to always consider real jobs for real pay in the real world before taking a job in subminimum wage. If you decide that for right now, a job in subminimum wage is what you need to get you prepared, you will need to go to your nearest DOR office and apply for services. 

Once you (the youth) have applied for DOR services, you will meet with a DOR counselor to talk about what type(s) of jobs you might like. Your DOR counselor will ask you questions like, “Do you want to make minimum wage?” or “Do you want a job in the community?” Your counselor will also talk about jobs where you live and how you can get more information about them and other places in your community where you can get help finding a job. This is called career counseling, and information and referral. You will receive it once while meeting with your counselor and two more times during your first year at a subminimum wage job, if that is what you choose. 

If after talking to your DOR counselor you only want a subminimum wage job, then your counselor will ask you questions about where you went to high school. This is so your counselor can ask your school about the transition services you received there and get paperwork on it. If you did not go to high school or cannot remember where you went to high school, your counselor will arrange for you to get pre-employment transition services. 

During this time, your DOR counselor will determine if you are eligible or ineligible for DOR services. What is the difference? You are eligible for DOR services if you tell your DOR counselor you are interested in a full or part-time job at or above minimum wage and you and your counselor determine that you are able to do so. You are ineligible for DOR services if you tell your DOR counselor you do not want a job at minimum wage and want a job at subminimum wage. You may also be ineligible for DOR services if you and your DOR counselor determine a minimum wage job is not right for you. 

What happens next? 
After you and your DOR counselor determine you are eligible for DOR services, you will develop a plan for your job.  You may get a chance to try more than one minimum wage job. If one of those jobs works out, then you will get to keep your new job and your DOR counselor will close your case. If you are unable to keep your minimum wage job or did not like your job and want a subminimum wage job, then your DOR counselor will close your case. Then your counselor will give you paperwork and you may start working at a subminimum wage job. You will give this paperwork to your subminimum wage boss. 

If your DOR counselor determines you are ineligible for DOR services because you only want a subminimum wage job or a minimum wage job is not right for you at this time, then your DOR counselor will close you case, give you paperwork and you may start working at a subminimum wage job. You will give this paperwork to your subminimum boss. 

Remember, if you ever change your mind about wanting to try a minimum wage job, a DOR counselor is here for you. 
Your local DOR office can be found here: http://www.dor.ca.gov/DOR-Locations/index.asp