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

I think unfortunately its quite a modern thing to use it lightly. People use the term to mean that they feel so intensely about something or are upset about something and its expressed that way

MH practitioners will often talk about this being behavioural rather than a MH condition in itself such as depression.

Its hard to hear someone say it but its fairly unusual that being pissed off and frustrated in a job leads to someone actually planning to end their life.

It doesn't sound like a workable job for someone without transport living 10 miles away, never mind anything else. Maybe sorting out their own transport (bike or car) is the first thing DC needs to do before seeking work.

There will be a sanction, but they will eventually be paid.
And if they have a good reason to leave a job, then a sanction might not apply anyway.

"my mum lost her driving license. There is no public transport. I live 20 miles away each way. I can't get to work."

Done

How would she be able to claim benefits by ending her employment. I thought if you make yourself unemployed you cant claim benefits.

You say 'manager'.

The fast food places I know, the 'managers' are the children of the franchise owners, straight out of school or uni, 18 or 21. Hardly experienced adults to look up to, fluent in employment legislation...

It's rife with bullies. I think McDonald's has just been battered after an undercover operation and court cases revealed repeated sexual harassment of younger workers by managers...

I use the term 'managers' loosely....

Of course the child can 'afford' to quit. On an average week they get 2hrs work, so about £21. Mum drives 40 miles to make it happen, so 40 miles worth of 45p per mile 'going rate' for expenses today and the cost of fuel and wear on tear on her car is £18.

If mum gave that 18 pounds to her child upfront, the only discernable benefit of 'working' is £3 and a reference that makes absolutely no difference to the next employer... The £3 is only a 'profit' if mums time for driving the 40 miles is free. Otherwise, the 'job' is a net loss for the family as a whole as it engages 2 adults, fuel, wear and tear on a car, for £21.

This is a no brainier. Quit. Immediately.

For those banging on about JSA, that's peanuts for younger people with no responsibilities etc. Without having a car, being a driver, being mentally well, any of these part-time zero hours contracts are pie in the sky without heavy reliance on another adult for free (mum).

This avenue doesn't work. Time to try something else.

And the moaning about smoking by the door? What's that then?

And why was your kid telling the manager what they need to do? Not their pjace

Might be worth having a chat to them about work politics before their next job.

My older brother has always been very rigid in the way he thinks about this sort of thing (he's an inveterate rule follower and I suspect undiagnosed ASD) and while his current job (in IT) suits him down to the ground, he has struggled in roles in the past due to not quite getting the interpersonal relationships and workplace politics at play.

Just get them to quit, especially as it’s affecting their mental health. It’s not worth it.

If your child is suffering in this way and they can afford to quit then quit. Tell them it's ok to walk away from a job that is terrible for them
You will be there and support them. There is something better out there xx

If your child is talking about suicide, then take that as a sign that they need to get out of that job. No job is worth your health, and certainly not your life.

There is nothing wrong with them applying for JSA/UC, as that is what it is for... people looking for work. They will be expected to look for work, but their work coach can see about courses etc for them too, and can find out about things like job fairs.

Of course they should quit. There is zero point in you driving them 40 miles, spending around £6-8 in fuel (and not to mention the value of your time), for them to earn 2 hours minimum wage doing a job they hate. The cost-benefit analysis is entirely off.

They need a job they can get to independently at the very least.

I would try a temp agency as well as looking for a new job.

Prior to a recent situation with my son and his job - I was of the mind that my adult children should be studying or working as many of the previous posters have shared.

However, my son recently left an apprenticeship that made him very ill (he developed Epilepsy that we think was triggered after high work related stress and resultant lack of sleep). He persevered on because that is what we are meant to do isn’t it - push on through adversity! He can’t drive for a year and because of the nature of his job I had to drop him and pick him up each day. It was an awful time for him and me.

However, 7 months on he left - it was untenable! In the 3 weeks he has been off he is like a different person - back to my lovely, carefree son. Laughing, seeing his friends. He will apply for jobs, he has an excellent work ethic but his choice of job wasn’t right for him!

Is it perfect, no. Is the current job situation for young people good, definitely not! However, we will deal with that, he won’t be claiming benefits and I will support him all I can to find a job that allows him to manage his long term health condition and work in a manageable way or to go to college.

So from my side thinking about your situation, if your young person wants to leave as it is best for their mental health then that is ok. Maybe college or start to look for a job more aligned to their needs. And try not to listen to the noise of others who have not walked a mile in your young person or your shoes! I would rather have my son alive and well than the alternative!

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with working at McDonald’s for life

How about the fact she publicly criticizes the manager on staff chats

How about some middle ground. If your child is only getting a few hours per week on a zero hour contract. Get them to put a Universal credit claim in alongside the job.

They would then get a top up if work was really quiet that month and they could ask a work coach help them find a local work experience placement, or a suitable apprenticeship so that theu can leave for something more sustainable.

Most weeks it’s between 2 and 6 hours, frequently no shifts at all in a week!

The wage can’t be much at all for a young adult on minimum wage with no hours so I’m guessing that you are supporting them?
Would they miss that amount of money?

I’d encourage my DC to leave too.

Is this one of the lesser fast food restaurants?

In my opinion McDonald's actually have some standards (such as not allowing their managers to smoke outside in uniform)

Why can't your daughter look for a new job while doing her zero hours contract?

What does your dc want to do? Do they want to quit?

With suicidal thoughts linked to the job I would be encouraging them to take some time out.

The “managers” sound a bunch of cunts to be honest. How much do they really need the job? Do they go to college or uni? Expecting someone to do a 2 hour shift is fucking bullshit. Sadly there’s a lot of shit workplaces run by thick incompetent wankers and bullies

Why are so many people saying 'she' when the OP has done the 'they' 'them' Olympics all the way through??

I mean the OPs username says its a son so its odd people are assuming its a daughter.

I'd let him quit OP. As long as he's applying for anything and everything and hopefully something will crop up sooner rather than later