Know Your Rights: Winning Posters Promote Youth Workplace Awareness

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. – Employee rights for young workers wasn’t exactly unfamiliar territory for Angeline Su, a freshman at Lynbrook High School in West San José, when she heard about a County poster contest on the topic.

Angeline had been studying up on the subject as part of an extracurricular debate program, and what she had found was alarming.

“When I first read these stories about young workers who would be in a wheelchair for the rest of their life, or had their fingers chopped off because they were exposed to dangerous equipment – I couldn't imagine my sister or me or anybody I knew being in that situation as a young worker,” Angeline said.

Her digital artwork – which won first place and a $1,500 cash prize in the contest – depicts a pair of hands breaking free from chains of endangerment, with prominent cautionary colors anchoring images related to workers’ rights: Wages, work permits, safety and speaking out.

“I wanted to create a really striking image that the moment somebody sees it, they will stop to look at it and they will become aware about this topic,” Angeline said of her art, titled “Young Worker Rights First.”

Entries were judged in a number of categories including educational content, design, inspiration and diversity. The contest for high school students was created by the County Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) to promote Workplace Readiness Week, which runs from April 28 to May 4, 2025. Workplace Readiness Week was started by the state last year to support youth who are employed and those who are entering the workforce, with a goal of informing them that they enjoy the same fundamental rights in the workplace as adults, no matter their age or status as a student.

“When a young person takes that first step into the workforce, it can be a daunting experience,” said Deputy County Executive David Campos. “It’s new to them, and they might be so overwhelmed that they don’t realize they have the same rights as adults, whether that’s right to a minimum wage, taking sick days, getting paid for overtime, or the right to join a union.” 

Irene Cermeno, a program manager at OLSE who came up with the idea for the contest, said it seemed natural to recruit high school students as art designers to best come up with effective messaging, and that it’s critical for teens to have healthy and positive work experiences.

“As young workers enter the workforce, it's critical that they learn about workplace safety and their workplace rights – some created specifically to protect youth – so they can use them throughout their career,” Cermeno said. “The Office of Labor Standards Enforcement launched this poster contest to raise awareness and inspire young workers to advocate for themselves. By letting students lead the message, we tapped into the power of peer-to-peer communication, and the creativity and passion in the submissions blew us away!”

The winning artwork will be used in various promotions, including being blown up to poster-size for use at Eastridge Mall, public libraries, and other high-visibility venues.

In addition to Angeline, prizes went to Eliza Chia for second place ($1,000) and Nicole Hao for third ($500).

Eliza, a freshman at Branham High School in San José, said she initially wasn’t familiar with the topic but got engrossed when she studied up on workers’ rights that were specifically for teens.

“I didn't know that there are certain jobs that kids can’t do, like obviously you can’t be exposed to radiation,” Eliza said. “But there are some jobs, like baking, that you also can’t do, and that seemed kind of weird.”

Eliza did a mixed media piece titled “Right Job, Right Age – Know Where You Stand,” incorporating a graphite portrait of a teenage girl poring over online ads in an old-school digital font. Red X’s marked off-limit occupations and green checks for those suitable for teens.

Nicole Hao, a junior at Saratoga High, took third place with an infographic titled “Know Your Rights as a Young Worker” that provides information on various rights and what to do if you suspect a violation.  

“There is a lot of protection surrounding these rights that I wasn't aware of before,” Nicole said. “And probably a lot of other people are not aware of it as well, especially for younger workers.”

Nicole said she had fun creating her poster – she has previously painted utility boxes and done other community art – and was thrilled that it would be used to promote a message that benefits the community, in particular her peers.

Irene Cermeno, the OLSE program manager who started the contest, said they had over 50 entries and are considering making the contest an annual event.

“It’s a great opportunity to learn about youth workers’ rights and educate others as well,” Cermeno said. “It’s also a great opportunity to have your artwork seen in public. And, of course, it’s a great opportunity to earn a prize that you can put toward college, or art supplies!”

For more information about Youth Workers’ Rights and the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement visit https://desj.santaclaracounty.gov/olse.