Delaware Department of Labor Launches Holiday Helper Workshop to Prepare Teens for Safe Holiday Employment

WILMINGTON, Del. (November 4, 2026) — As Delaware teens prepare to enter the workforce during the busy holiday hiring season, the Delaware Department of Labor’s Division of Industrial Affairs (DIA), through its Office of Wage & Hour, has launched Holiday Helper: Hiring Teen Workers 101 — Get Ready to Work the Right Way, a free virtual workshop designed to help young workers understand their rights and responsibilities before stepping into their next job.

Available beginning November 1, the 20-minute on-demand webinar expands the reach of the Department’s popular HireME! Teen Job Readiness Workshop, bringing the same educational video presented during its in-person programs to a broader audience through a convenient virtual format.

Designed for teens ages 14–17, the resource also provides valuable information for parents, educators, employers, and community organizations that support young workers.

Hosted by teen presenter KJ, the workshop follows six young workers through real-world workplace scenarios, helping viewers understand how Delaware’s child labor laws apply to their employment experiences. The video also features a welcome from U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester.

Topics covered include:
• Work Permits: Understanding who needs a work permit, what is required, and why each new job requires its own permit.
• Work Hours and Breaks: Learning age-specific work hour restrictions and required breaks.
• Prohibited Occupations: Recognizing hazardous tasks and equipment that are off-limits to young workers.
• Tips and Pay: Understanding wage protections and ensuring tips do not reduce earnings below the wages owed.
• Employment Scams: Identifying red flags in fraudulent job advertisements and protecting personal information.

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to enter the workforce feeling informed, confident, and prepared. As employers bring on additional staff for the holiday season, it is important that teens understand their workplace rights and the responsibilities that come with having a job. Through Holiday Helper, we are making this information more accessible to young workers, their families, and the employers who support them. Our goal is to ensure that Delaware’s next generation of workers can gain valuable experience in a safe, fair, and supportive work environment,” said Secretary Moultrie.

Over the past two years, the Office of Wage & Hour has expanded its youth outreach throughout Delaware, working alongside the Delaware Youth Workforce Connection (DYWCC) to strengthen collaboration among community organizations, educators, state agencies, and workforce partners. Through this statewide network, the Department connects those who support young people with resources, education, and information that promote safe and lawful youth employment.
Holiday Helper builds on that collaborative effort by making the educational content from the HireME! workshop accessible beyond in-person events, giving more teens, families, and community partners an opportunity to prepare young workers for a safe and successful holiday hiring season.

The Department encourages parents, teachers, youth-serving organizations, and community partners to share the webinar with teens preparing to enter the workforce this holiday season.

Registration is required: Holiday Helper Registration

About the Division of Industrial Affairs
The Division of Industrial Affairs (DIA) is a division of the Delaware Department of Labor responsible for administering and enforcing state laws related to worker protection, workplace safety, workers’ compensation, labor law enforcement, and employment rights. Through its offices, including the Office of Wage & Hour, DIA works to protect Delaware workers, educate employers about their responsibilities, and promote safe, fair, and equitable workplaces throughout the State of Delaware.

For more information, contact Kelly Jones, Community Relations Coordinator, Division of Industrial Affairs-DE Dept of Labor, at kelly.jones@delaware.gov.

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