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Original poster

Why do employers treat 16/17 yr olds so badly?

30 replies

Greedybilly · 19/07/2025 19:51

I'm just having a rant really. Both of my kids (aged 16 and now 18) and most of their mates have had really bad employment experiences. We live in a very touristy town - loads of cafes/pubs advertising for staff. Every bloody time though- there's no induction/training - chuckedin at the deep end. Told off when get something 'wrong ' , shift cancelled at the last minute, just generally treated like sh*t. 'Trial shifts' that are not paid and no job at the end ( i.e unpack our dishwasher for the afternoon for nowt)
Soul destroying for eager, hard-working kids .Makes me so mad. Independent buisinesses are the worst.Anyone else?

OP posts:
cyclingmum67 · 19/07/2025 20:54

Trial shifts are my bugbear - my DS did one of those for a butcher when he was 17. 10 hours of hauling bags of meat from butchery area to freezers, only to be told they wouldn't be taking him on as he wasn't up to speed with the others. Slave labour effectively.

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 19/07/2025 20:53

My son has just finished a trial shift (unpaid) and the employer has had different candidates doing trials every day, so a week's worth of free labour.

CeeJay81 · 19/07/2025 20:50

Not here. My 16 year old has a job(pub restaurant). The place employs many youngsters. Washing dishes, serving food, clearing tables, basic food preparation. The only thing I find is that sometimes they tell someone to go home early from their shift, if it's not busy but they are fair with it. It's not the same person each time. My DS hasn't mentioned anything about being told off a lot but management have told me he is one of the good workers. This is a rural area though, so if they treated people badly word may get out and look bad on the business. I guess in bigger places, they probably think they can get away with it more. They should be treated with respect, the same as everyone should be.

Original poster
Greedybilly · 19/07/2025 20:35

My rant is about bad employers (obviously)and under 18's seem to get less favourable rights. But thanks for your helpful comment@CarpetKnees

OP posts:
CarpetKnees · 19/07/2025 20:32

Over the years, my dc have had mixed experienced, in fairness.

Your rant should be about bad employers (who are also bad employers for over 18s) not about people employing 16 - 18 yr olds, as, there are good and bad employers of every age group.

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