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AIBU?

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Original poster

To offer job to this teen over husbands teen?

31 replies

ATheory7 · 15/08/2025 18:49

I own a business that I started about 10 years ago. We employ a couple of people now and things are going well.

For a while 16yo DSC has been coming in on a Saturday when he needs money. It's not a set job, it's just when he wants some money for something. He works ok but can sometimes be a bit mopey after a late night or somewhere else he'd rather be.

Someone I vaguely know from the town we live contacted me a while back and asked if her son could come in for a few days as he is very interested in the work we do. He was fab, took a real keen interest which is not seen often in this work.

I want to offer him the opportunity to come in on a Saturday (paid) which is something he asked about, but I wouldn't have enough work for both him and DSS when he chooses to come in.

DH thinks I'd be unreasonable to "choose" this teen over my own DSS to give a job to but I disagree. DSS isn't interested in the work, he just uses it as a way to get some money when he needs it whereas the other local teen is very keen and wants to study this sort of thing at college and uni.

AIBU to give the Saturday work to the one who seems more keen and doesn't just see it as a bank top up when their pocket money runs out?

OP posts:
Arlanymor · 15/08/2025 18:57

If it's not a set job for your DSS but you need someone regularly then no harm giving this other person a paid trial - say until they go back to school/college. Just be open with your DSS about it so that they don't have the expectation that they can just drop in when their funds are running low. There is also nothing to prohibit your DSS from finding another role - I worked in a newsagency part time when I was in my last year of school and into sixth form. It can be good to have an experience of NOT working with family, but having exposure to the wider world...

Original poster
ATheory7 · 15/08/2025 18:55

PullTheBricksDown · 15/08/2025 18:53

If stepchild only does it on occasion when wanting cash, is it necessary a problem? You said new teen is keen to do 'a few days' so can't you tell stepchild you are sorted till end of September, for example, and after that they could do some hours again?

New teen already did a few days experience and on the back of this has asked if they can start to work on Saturdays if I have the need. Which is what DSS usually does (occasionally).

OP posts:
OhMyGollyGoshGosh · 15/08/2025 18:54

If he works ok, there's absolutely nothing wrong with him seeing it as a bank top up when he needs to earn money.

This is why employment agencies exist.

PullTheBricksDown · 15/08/2025 18:53

If stepchild only does it on occasion when wanting cash, is it necessary a problem? You said new teen is keen to do 'a few days' so can't you tell stepchild you are sorted till end of September, for example, and after that they could do some hours again?

shellyleppard · 15/08/2025 18:51

I would give the job to the one who is actually interested in it

HappySummerDays · 15/08/2025 18:50

Yanbu.

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