AIBU to suggest my child quits a zero-hours fast food job?

have you worked zero hours jobs like this as a teenager without experience? because this reads like the application of maxims that were true quite a few years ago being applied to an ecosystem which has moved on considerably.

That's your reason... she needs to wind her neck in.

This. Although I would have used gentler words than this because it's Op's child.
Good on her for sticking with it for a year. If it is getting her down then it's time to give it in.

My first job took me over 60 applications to get, was zero hours, irregular hours, nasty environment and they got rid me when it suited the business. That was 30 years ago in the UK. I eventually got the job that paid me well after paying my dues for 15 years.

Times haven't changed much. Perception and attitudes have. We are grossly over populated of course but we grafted back then.

Answer for not driving = safe cars cost thousands. A £500 1990s banger versus a modern electric lump in an accident equals death in banger, scratch to lump.

Insurance for young people is about a thousand upfront, if possible at all. Moreso for boys.

Putting said child on parents insurance is a disaster for no claims, a disaster for premium and a disaster for parent who also needs their car to get to work.

Easy to explain why this young person isn't driving to work now for their £21 a week 2 hour shift. :)... They earn about £1000 a year at this rate. Not enough to consider a car. Or a moped. Barely a bike. Maybe a pair of trainers.

My first job at 17 was a zero hour contract in a cafe, for a big employer. Awful. Absolutely the worst first job I could experience, I applied for many other jobs once I had ‘experience’ for my cv and got another job with a contract and benefits and never left because I realised how good I had it now.

But dependant on the age your child is I would recommend an apprenticeship as at least you a being paid more than they are currently with that job and will gain a great skill with a prosperous career.

I bet your willy is mahoooosive too :)

A 'whopper...'

(i know, I know, different company to McDonald's)

What? Comments like this are highly unhelpful! He may be shy, lack confidence rather than anything else. He's 17yo. Get a grip.

@ShouldHeQuit he should def quit. It's like he doesn't have a job anyway. I hope government bans zero hours contracts, they're a disgusting way to employ people.

It might suit him to do an online job. Good luck helping him through this.

You didn't say how old they are that would help.

Why aren't they driving? Are they in further education to get a better skill and job than fast food?

Yep, they are also expected to be on call, in case they need to cover a shift.
People used to be paid extra for that as it was classed as on call and overtime.
Now, they are just expected to be available for no extra whatsoever.

I think some people are willfully ignorant how difficult it is for a lot of young people to get a job. And if they get a zero hours job ....they get eg 4 hours a week because thats all thats available to them not because they are lazy/a snowflake etc
DD says all her colleagues want more shifts....she does too, but the managers say there are no more hours....
One day she woke up at 8.30 to find they had sent a message at 6am to ask if anyone wanted an 8-12 shift or a 9-1 shift....which she would have done if she knew about it the day before...

Donald , is that you ?

Lucky you. I hope that luck does not run out

My life is the most awesome life that anyone has ever lived. My children have benefited from the awesome genes that I have bestowed upon them. That is reality. You can slag me off as much as you like. It changes nothing.

Have a medal 🏅
Because I am not sure what you were seeking from that other than "look at my awesome life and my awesome kids who dare not work in fast food and feel bad about it".

Are you serious? Somebody is contemplating suicide because they can't hack a job in McDos.? I have 2 kids, one is a dentist and one sets up call centres in Spain or somewhere like that. I gave them good genes. That's about it, really. I have exceptionally intelligent grand children as well.

Yep, it is a piss take.
I bet if OP's kid had proper decent hours... like a full time job, and one where their superiors were not treating them like shite... they would be happy to stay there.

Employers just don't get it do they? Employing someone for two hours one week then no hours the next doesn't inspire employee loyalty. Nobody wants their Mcjobs.

OP's "snowflake" child is expressing thoughts of suicide.

I really hope you don't have kids that could potentially go through the same.

Young people just don't get it, do they? They are competing against people from the emerging nations, people who want to work and who are prepared to work hard. Nobody wants your snowflake DC.

The OP and her child live in the countryside. Rural. No factories, mostly sheep, hedges and grass.

Large bakeries employing people don't exist in the middle of nowhere.

Half if not more of the oroblem here is the family home isolation, lack of a car and independence of child, reliance on mother and lots of mileage for almost no wage...

If only bakeries and free cakes were the answers to all our problems :)

Well, I do agree with you on the point about needing help with emotional regulation.
But insisting they stay in a job that is causing them to dysregulate is not the answer either.

DS will come home with boxes of cakes that didn't quite make it out to the shops aswell. I suggest looking into a bakery or biscuit factory for your DC OP as they are absolutely desperate for staff. Working in a factory has some advantages.

Listened to, yes

Do they need to act on it, debatable

If it isnt this job, it will be something else

Someone that feels so extreme that they express that feeling by saying this, without experiencing a major depressive episode, is likely to use this method to manage their feelings about anything they find awkward or uncomfortable.

They obviously need to have help with their emotional regulation.

DS 19 works at a bakery. He does 10 til 6pm 5 days a week via a job agency. The site manager said he's welcome to work Saturday and Sunday too. He turned them down. He wants to enjoy a bit of life in the summer before college starts again next month.

They're desperate for staff where he is. He doesn't have a problem getting full time hours.

I get what you mean, but someone expressing suicidal intent (even if they wont do it) should still be listened to.
Whether it is genuine or not, talking and feeling that way about a job means they need to leave. Feeling suicidal, or talking about it, is a not a normal part of hating a job.
I have been there. I just got told to put up with it as "everyone hated their job", and just "dealt with it". No one believed how bad I was feeling... I was also told I was not resilient etc. I ended up making an attempt and was sectioned.