Sent my kids work permit renewals approx 4 weeks ago. Still haven't rec'd one.

Because of the strike, I kind of let the permits expire. The management company told us that we have to send them to Van Nuys now.

Van Nuys takes so stinkin' long!!! Why Van Nuys!!!!!

I had much better luck at the Long Beach and Bakersfield and they were returned at least w/in 1 to 2 weeks--- most of the time just one week.

ARRRGGGGHHHH! Van Nuys Div. of Labor is either very overloaded all the time, or very very lazy.

Hmm, only your hairdresser knows for sure.

There's a whole discussion on this on the PARF board - they might have some suggestions to speed the process.

Good Luck!

I'm in NY and I received my daughter's NY work permit less than a week after mailing in for it. I sent for her CA permit and it took exactly one week to receive.

Did you include a SASE?

Yes, I sent a SASE with all of them. Thanks though.

I have always avoided sending it there. But now was told it had to be there. Has anywone else been told it had to be Van Nuys?

Thanks Neverdefeated, I'll look on the PARF board. Thanks Diane.

CA is still in a several month long (feels like a year) process of upgrading their systems for everything they do (which isn't just issuing work permits). As is often the case, the 'new' system is bringing about some procedural changes within the offices. It seems that their process changes with the direction of the wind lately.

I know it's frustrating, but maybe just remember that you are asking the state government to give your child an exclusion from the labor laws.. and it is a privilege, not a right.

I've had communication back and forth with DLSE legal for a few weeks, and it just seems that there is going to be some confusion, and some trial and error - until they find something that works well. Here's hoping it's soon!

Sorry for your frustration..
Paula

Do you work there PaulaD? You seem a little defensive.

regarding quote: {{I know it's frustrating, but maybe just remember that you are asking the state government to give your child an exclusion from the labor laws.. and it is a privilege, not a right.}}

Am I being lectured? "remember it's a privilege not a right"


I don't know if you meant it to sound this way but to me, your statement has a threatening undertone (for example: don't question us, we're the government, and we could take away this "privilege" if you do question us)

Who pays these CA government employees? Maybe people who pay their CA taxes? Answer: People like me.

A better attitude is "how can we serve the people better?"

I feel as a taxpayer I have the right ask why one Dept. fails to expedite in a reasonable amount of time.

reg: quote {{CA is still in a 'several month' long (feels like a year) process of upgrading their systems for everything they do (which isn't just issuing work permits)}}

Maybe that's added more problems, but I've noticed this difference in Dept's for five years.

Another time, after years of renewals, they suddely had no record of one of my kids. What's that all about?

A perfectly innocent question for me to ask is...why is there such a difference from one Dept. Of Labor to the next????

Are they overloaded with work permit renewals at Van Nuys and not enough employees, or are they lazy? Laziness happens. Overloading happens.

Just frustrating. If this ruffles feathers than so be it.

You know, the DMV changed their attitude and it is runs very efficiently, with happier customers and employees. It is now a much more pleasant experience and you get in and out very quickly. Change can happen if people ask for it and state their opinion.

Sorry PaulaD, it's me that got my feathers ruffled. I'll get over myself.

Thanks anyway for you reply.

We sent ours to the Santa Ana office. After 6 weeks, I decided to apply in person (redid the paperwork, and dragged my kids and stroller to the downtown office, which is no picnic.) After 3 weeks, heard nothing.

I called the number, many times, and it would ring for several minutes and eventually just disconnect.

Imagine my suprise when I called the Sacramento office, and a sweet girl picked up the phone! No automated system, or never ending rings!

I told her about my frustration, and she put me on hold while she called the office herself. She was incensed that they didnt pick up the phone for her either, and told me she was reporting that office.

She told me to resubmit my stuff, and I did. 1.5 weeks later, I received my permit.

I understand being busy, but we are the taxpayers, and I think we deserve better service than what I have experienced from the Santa Ana office.

LOL.. Sorry.. I'm not an employee there. I forget that I'm not always identified here... I'm Paula from BizParentz. If my tone was more authoritative than you expected - it's just because I tend to write in a factual manner.

Our organization has made multiple requests and suggestions regarding this... we assist parents who have specific problems, hence my legal connections there..and I am also a CA tax payer...

There are over 50,000 permits issued in CA each year. The new system increased the time to put in a new application from a few minutes to 15. Of course, st first all of them are new. Renewals should start getting easier and faster. The new system also links all of the offices together - whereas the old one each office was independant.

I think I rank right up there in the frustration zone related to this situation.. because we can't even give parents good information about what to expect.

I'm sorry if you read my comment wrong.. I hope it is clear I didn't mean it that way at all.

Paula
BizParentz.org

When I originally submitted an application for a work permit I sent it to Long Beach. After reading the thread on PARF. I sent my DS's renewal directly to Van Nuys, since Long Beach was forwarding it's permits to Van Nuys. This was over a month ago and still nothing.

PaulaD since I'm out of state do you happen to know if all the DLSE are forwarding to Van Nuy's or just the Southern Californian offices?

Or should I call Van Nuys and hope someone answers the phone?

I'm sorry.. I really don't know for certain. It's like watching a game of roulette hearing everyone's individual situations - and I think I've heard different stories about who is sending what where recently.

You can try to call, but I believe it's really rare that you get thru.

I'm sorry I don't have any helpful info for you.
I believe the backlog has been stated as being about 5 -6 weeks.. so maybe you are close. :-)

Paula

No worries PaulaD.

Just wished they picked Long Beach Dept. Their service is excellent. They answer the phones, they're curteous (sp?), and you receive your permit in one week. Bakersfield isn't bad either.

This is where I mailed it to (from NY) and received the permit in exactly one week:

California State Dept of Labor
Labor Standards Enforcement
455 Golden Gate Avenue
10th Floor - Attention: Child Entertainer Permits
San Francisco, CA 94102

I mailed the application on March 13th and had it in-hand on March 20th. (yes, 2008! LOL!)

Received my DS's california work permit today! Just about 7 weeks after I mailed to the Van Nuys office.