Kids Serving Cocktails? What Could Go Wrong?
As someone who worked in restaurants throughout my teenage years, I have a lot to say on this issue. Plus, I'd like to invite you to a live Zoom conversation on Monday.
Greetings! Today, I’m offering my first in an occasional column in which I offer insights and opinions on the restaurant scene in general. This week, I’m looking at the changes in legislation regarding kids working in restaurants.
Kids Serving Cocktails? What Could Go Wrong?
Last year, as reported in The Des Moines Register, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law that ends some restrictions for children in the workforce. The bill allows 16- and 17-year-olds to sell alcohol at restaurants until kitchens close—as long as they have written permission from their parent, guardian, or legal custodian, and as long as two adult employees are physically present for business if minors are serving alcohol. The bill also opens the door for 14 and 15-year-olds to work up to six hours a day on a school day (older teens could already do so).
I’ve been thinking a lot about this bill since it went into effect.
I’m All for Kids Working in (the Right) Restaurants
