Safety Tips

Meet the household in person first.

Before your minor starts any gig, arrange an in-person meeting with the household at the work location. Do not send your child to an address you have not personally visited.

Tell someone where your child will be.

Before the gig begins, share the household's name, address, and contact information with another trusted adult. Agree on a check-in time with your minor.

Confirm everything directly — not just from the listing.

Discuss duties, hours, pay rate, and expectations directly with the household before work starts. Do not rely solely on what is written in the job posting.

Ask about insurance coverage.

Ask the household whether their homeowner's or renter's insurance covers incidents or accidents involving workers on their property. This is a reasonable question and a responsible household will have a clear answer.

Consider a written agreement between you and the household.

We strongly recommend that you and the household establish your own written agreement before work begins, covering duties, hours, pay, and emergency procedures. LocalGig does not provide or endorse any specific agreement template. For guidance on what such an agreement might include, consult your state's labor board or a legal professional.

Know your state's child labor laws.

Child labor laws vary by state and cover permitted working hours, required work permits, and age-based restrictions. You are responsible for ensuring all gig activities comply with laws applicable in your state. View child labor laws by state (U.S. Department of Labor) →

Trust your instincts.

If anything about a household, listing, or situation feels wrong — it is okay to cancel. Your minor's safety comes first.

Always have a parent or guardian who knows exactly where you are.

Before every gig, confirm that your parent or guardian has the household's full name, address, and phone number. Set a check-in time.

Don't meet a new household alone for the first time.

Your parent or guardian should accompany you to the first visit at any new household.

Keep your personal information private until you've met in person.

Do not share your school, personal phone number, or home address with a household employer until you have met them in person with a parent present.

If something feels wrong, leave and call your parent immediately.

You are never obligated to stay in a situation that makes you uncomfortable. Leave, get to a safe place, and contact your parent or guardian right away.

Be prepared to meet the parent or guardian in person.

Parents will want to meet you and see the work location before their minor starts. This is expected and appropriate — welcome it.

Put your agreement in writing.

Establish a clear written agreement with the parent or guardian covering duties, hours, pay, and emergency contacts before work begins. LocalGig does not provide templates — consult a legal professional or your state's labor board for guidance.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Ensure you have active homeowner's or renter's insurance that covers on-property incidents. Be prepared to confirm this with the parent or guardian.

Only assign work described in the original job posting.

Never ask a minor to perform duties that were not clearly described in the listing they applied to.

Respect child labor laws.

You are responsible for complying with all applicable child labor laws, including permitted working hours and work permit requirements for the minor's age group. View child labor laws by state →

All arrangements happen off-platform.

LocalGig connects parties via email — all agreements, payments, and arrangements are made directly between you. Be cautious of anyone who asks you to keep arrangements secret from parents or guardians.

Always ask permission before listing a reference.

Before adding anyone as a reference on your profile — a teacher, coach, neighbor, or community member — you must ask their permission first. By listing them, you are sharing their name and contact information with employers and confirming they have agreed to be contacted on your behalf. Adding someone as a reference without their knowledge is a violation of LocalGig's Terms of Service and disrespectful to the person involved.

What the "Community Trusted" badge means.

Some household and business profiles display a Community Trusted badge. This badge is awarded solely based on positive reviews submitted by students and parents or guardians of minors who have applied to their gigs — it is not a rating, endorsement, or verification by LocalGig. We do not independently assess, vet, or vouch for any household or business on this platform. The badge reflects community feedback only, and you should conduct your own due diligence before engaging with any poster.

Feedback is handled directly between parties.

LocalGig does not rate or endorse students or minors. If you have feedback about a gig experience — positive or negative — share it directly with the parent or guardian (for minors) or with the student (for adult workers). For concerns about a household or business, you may leave a review on their LocalGig profile or contact us directly.

Report suspicious listings immediately.

If a listing seems fraudulent, misleading, or unsafe, use the report function on the listing or contact us at hello@localgig.space. We take reports seriously and act quickly.

LocalGig is not an employer or staffing agency.

We do not vet, background-check, supervise, or employ any user. We are a listing platform only. Exercise the same judgment you would with any community listing service.