Hopefully this is a fluke and not a pattern

[Cooper]

I've decided, if I have a kid--big if--and they are old enough and smart enough to enter school early, causing them to be under 18 when they graduate from High School, I won't do it. They're going to resent me for it.

I've looked into two job opportunities. One is just a local Way of the Sub, and the other is a Devil Wears Prada situation, but instead of fashion, it's editing.

Way of the Sub just came through, but the fact that I'm under 18 (for less than two weeks, mind you) seems to have left the manager a bit confused. He asked me for a 'Letter of Emancipation' from my school, or otherwise I'd have to go in and pick up a form from the school, meant for those who are still in school and would like to work. He says he's already filled out his side; I just have to have the school handle the rest.

I just went to my school to ask about it. The office ladies looked at me, and when I described it as 'something that says even though I'm under 18 I'm graduated and free to work' they replied: Like your diploma?

I looked it up on Google. Google is a tad confused.

Any of you guys heard of something like this? I'm planning on just bringing in a copy of my diploma and saying that's what the school told me to do, but my school was rather...ignorant.

[kpzra]

Just tell them you already graduated. Bring in your diploma or they can call the school. I never had a problem when I was 17 and had dropped out, but I also worked for the same place since I was 16. Of course, this was Michigan 15 years ago.

[scruff]

Bring in the copy of your diploma.
By the time your potential manager and the HR dept sorts out the paperwork, you'll be over the 2 weeks to next birthday and it'll be irrelevant.
:-)
(My last HR dept took several months to sort out the whole 'prove you are allowed to work in this country', despite my UK passport...)

[telecom_goddess]

I was one of those kids that started school on time but was a grade ahead of myself. I skipped kindergarten and entered first grade at 5. I started my senior year of high school at 16 and graduated at 17. I didn't have an issue getting a job after graduation though...worked at Walgreens till I was 18.

[Lurking Sockpuppet]

I feel your pain. I was sixteen when I graduated HS. I couldn't afford college. Couldn't get financial aid because my father made too much money. Not that he was sharing any of it with me. I went thru hell to find a job. They didn't know what rules applied. Diploma should work. Good luck!

ps. I'm 40 now. So it was a long time ago.

[Cooper]

I think it might be a pattern. He called today.

Him: Do you still want to work here?
Me: Yes...
Him: Cause um, I still have that work permit here, and-
Me: Oh, I talked to the school about that letter of emancipation thing. They said my diploma is that letter.
Him: Okay. Can I call you back? I need to look at the state guidelines.
Me: Sure.

*2 minutes later*

Him: Okay. Just bring in a photocopy of your diploma and driver's license. You start from 11-4.
Me: AM right?
Him: PM. Oh, 4-11.

So it looks like my first true retail job (away from my parents as my bosses) may have some fun stories ahead.

[Slayer]

Congrats on the job.

Here, it's pretty normal to graduate HS at 17 since there's no grade 12. I was 16 since it was just before my bday. First time I hear that you need proof lol.

[EricKei]

I guess this sort of thing varies by state -- When I was a teen (slightly after the age of the dinosaurs), the minimum age to work was 15, or 14 with a permit; I did the latter. I was allowed to work while still in high school, tho.