DIR, Labor Commissioner's Office Launch Online Course for Studio Teachers in Entertainment Industry

LOS ANGELES, July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and its Labor Commissioner's Office launched an online course for studio teachers who are responsible for the education and safety of minors in the entertainment business. The course was previously held once a year in one location, but now is conveniently accessible at any time over the Internet.

"California's labor laws include extensive protections for minors in the entertainment industry, and we are making it easier for studio teachers to remain updated on the education, health and safety requirements for minors on the job," said Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su.

Studio teachers in California are required to renew their certification by completing three hours of instruction in a class designed by the Labor Commissioner's Office. The online course, developed with the assistance of the California State University, Sacramento, ensures that studio teachers are provided updates on any changes in the applicable labor laws and regulations, as well as their responsibilities and duties for the teaching and care of minors in the entertainment industry.

To register for the class, studio teachers should email [email protected]. 

Employers in the entertainment industry are required to provide a studio teacher for minors from the age of 15 days to their 16^th birthday, and for minors age 16 to 18 when the minors are engaged in any activity pertaining to the entertainment industry. It is one of the protections enforced by the Labor Commissioner's Office, which also issues permits for entertainment work and child performer services.

Among its wide-ranging enforcement responsibilities, the Labor Commissioner's Office inspects workplaces for wage and hour violations, adjudicates wage claims, enforces prevailing wage rates and apprenticeship standards in public works projects, investigates retaliation complaints, issues licenses and registrations for businesses and educates the public on labor laws. The Labor Commissioner's Office, officially known as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) is a division of DIR.

The Wage Theft is a Crime public awareness campaign, launched last year by DIR and its Labor Commissioner's Office, has helped inform workers of their rights. The campaign includes multilingual print and outdoor advertising as well as radio commercials on ethnic stations in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Hmong and Tagalog.

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR's Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734). The California Workers' Information line at 866-924-9757 also offers recorded information in English and Spanish on a variety of work-related topics.

Members of the press may contact Erika Monterroza or Peter Melton at (510) 286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to get email alerts on DIR's press releases or other departmental updates.

The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For general inquiries, contact DIR's Communications Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.

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SOURCE California Department of Industrial Relations; California Labor Commissioner

Related Links

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