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AIBU?

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Original poster

My 16 yo has taken a job that has turned out to voluntary!

185 replies

Lemurlady · 30/09/2025 10:52

My 16 yo DS has taken what he thought was a paid job at our local swimming club as a poolside helper with a view to doing his coaching qualifications. He had to do his DBS and a 3 hour safeguarding course in his own time. He has done his first month (2.5hours/week) and asked when he was getting paid. He has been told it’s voluntary for 6 months and after that they will decide whether to take him on at £8/hour. It was never mentioned in any of the email correspondence that it was unpaid. He did not sign a contract and got the gig because he used to swim at the club and reached out to them. AIBU to expect him to be paid for the hours he has done and in thinking this is very exploitative as it would seem the only way into coaching is to work for free for 6 months. Is it even legal?

OP posts:
PinkFrogss · 30/09/2025 11:17

This doesn’t sound legal, and I bet they’re hoping the kids will be naive enough to go along with it.

Give ACAS a ring, if they were not clear that it was a voluntary basis and they’re now saying he has to complete 6 months work for free in order to get paid employment then they’re falling foul of national minimum wage. ACAS can advise on this for free.

CopperTray · 30/09/2025 11:16

Horrific way to treat young people- can he take some comfort from fact he has the safeguarding training done and look for something else

LadyoftheMercians · 30/09/2025 11:14

Boxfuls · 30/09/2025 11:01

If it's a "club" rather than a business, aren't these posts usually voluntary?

Its up to him if he wants to continue on that basis.

Sounds like a business to me.

I would post publicly as well, this is a complete scam.

Ablondiebutagoody · 30/09/2025 11:12

Fuck that. They obviously just have kids on a 6 month rotation and then ditch them for the next free one. Quit with no notice. Just stop turning up.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 30/09/2025 11:08

I bet my last pound that they do that all the young ones get them in for 6 months without pay and just get shut of them when the 6 month period is up. Surely this is against Employment Laws and if it’s not it damn well should be. A work trial should be no more than a week.

Sassylovesbooks · 30/09/2025 11:06

I have no idea on the legalities here. However, as another poster mentioned, they could easily tell your son after 6 months he's no longer required, and employ someone else on the same basis. The fact the role is a voluntary role, should have been made very clear to your son, from the start. Has your son only communicated with the employer regarding the role via email? So, he didn't communicate with them via a phone call or in person, prior to starting the job? If so, it's possible the employer could claim, they told your son verbally by phone or in person!! It sounds to me, a scam to obtain free labour, without having to pay someone! I could understand a voluntary role for 3 months, as that's a usual probationary period, looking then to employ a person, but 6, is taking the piss. Someone with some employment law knowledge would need to advise regarding on where you stand on your son being paid for the work already done.

Original poster
Lemurlady · 30/09/2025 11:01

True. We kept asking DS to ask but I think he was a bit embarrassed. I have spoken to the head coach who apologised for the misunderstanding and basically said it’s the 6 months volunteering or nothing to see how they perform as a coach. If I was a trainee in something I would expect to be pays a lower rate and have a probation period but not to have to give a 6 month trial. DS swims for another club now so have emailed them about their policy on this.

OP posts:
Boxfuls · 30/09/2025 11:01

If it's a "club" rather than a business, aren't these posts usually voluntary?

Its up to him if he wants to continue on that basis.

Tubestrike · 30/09/2025 10:57

I would step in and speak to them, very unreasonable as it should have been made clear it was voluntary. Although the fact they didn't mention an hourly rate should have been a red flag.

QueenClinomania · 30/09/2025 10:54

They are taking the piss.
Tbh he really should walk away.
I seriously doubt there's a job at the end of it.
They probably just use them for 6 months then start over with new ones.