Child Labor Laws?

[baigh75]

For New Jersey, what would be the minimum age required for working in a restaurant. I wanted to see if I could find a summer job as a bus boy (yeah sortta an unclassy name for person ho wants to clear tables and wash dishes).

Also, is it illegal to go "under the counter" method of working where I just work but not be unofficially employed or paid, cause the pay would technicaly be considered a gift as long as it is under $5000 right?

[seager]

I believe that you need to be 14 to be a busboy, and you can be 16 with a worker's permit to cook. Hope that helped.

[adalwine]

In general, you have to be 16 to be employed except in some very narrow exceptions. Bus boy is not an exception.

Yes, being paid "under the table" is illegal. It is considered to be tax evasion for both you and the employer. Granted the employer would be the one in more hot water but that is not a good position for a young man to be in. I don't know who gave you the idea of a "gift" but that is dead wrong.