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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

133 replies

ShouldHeQuit · 16/07/2026 13:44

My young adult child has worked a job with a well known fast food chain for a year.
its a zero hours contract and despite requesting full time hours they have never been given more than 12 hours in a week.
Most weeks it’s between 2 and 6 hours, frequently no shifts at all in a week!
The majority of the shifts are 2 or 3 hours long. We live 10 miles from the workplace and due to public transport finishing early (rural location)it means me having to drive them there then collect later so driving 40 miles for 2 hours minimum wage.
The job satisfaction is shit as well, the people they work with are a not very nice bunch and are drinking pals so look after each other. My child’s mental health is quite bad partly due to this.
They are applying for numerous other jobs but with no joy, don’t even get a rejection just ghosted which seems to be the norm nowadays
Would they be unreasonable to quit the job and claim JSA? Can you even claim JSA if you quit?
YABU don’t quit
YANBU quit

OP posts:
dizzydizzydizzy · 16/07/2026 14:22

@SassyLemonFish @purplecorkheart the lack of shifts may be due to the fact that the restaurant is well staffed with full-timers. Some employers like to have a list of zero hours staff to fill in gaps in their rotas ad hoc.

rwalker · 16/07/2026 14:11

The jobs not for her zero hours can be zero hours it’s just to fill peaks and troughs in resourcing

Dozer · 16/07/2026 14:11

It’d be better for them to get another job and a reference first.

Spiffingdarling88 · 16/07/2026 14:09

Job market is terrible, its taken a year for my 17 year old to get a job and has done free trials, been ghosted etc.

How old are they? Are they not looking at a more stable position? Can you see if there are any apprenticeships or training opportunities elsewhere?

purplecorkheart · 16/07/2026 14:09

I would be encouraging them to self reflect to be honest. If they are only getting very little shift I would wonder if they are a slow worker and therefore not being given rush hour shifts.

AgnesMcDoo · 16/07/2026 14:05

Its still better to look for another job whilst in employment.

and no she wont get anything if she quits

SassyLemonFish · 16/07/2026 14:04

SassyLemonFish · 16/07/2026 14:02

If she’s not getting shifts, it’s likely that management have a reason for this. Perhaps it is to do with her work ethic, general personality, attitude etc.

If she quits, where will she get her reference in order to get another job?

If she gets an interview for another job, how will she answer the inevitable question about the gap in her CV?

What message are you sending her that she should just quit and go on JSA?

My suggestion is that she makes an effort to be a valued hard-working team player. This will be appreciated by management. In the meantime, secure another role. When she gets another role, she’ll have a decent reference and no gap in her CV.

I don’t see it as the responsibility of employers or colleagues to be your best mate or make you feel great. That’s what friends and family are for.

SassyLemonFish · 16/07/2026 14:02

If she’s not getting shifts, it’s likely that management have a reason for this. Perhaps it is to do with her work ethic, general personality, attitude etc.

If she quits, where will she get her reference in order to get another job?

If she gets an interview for another job, how will she answer the inevitable question about the gap in her CV?

What message are you sending her that she should just quit and go on JSA?

My suggestion is that she makes an effort to be a valued hard-working team player. This will be appreciated by management. In the meantime, secure another role. When she gets another role, she’ll have a decent reference and no gap in her CV.

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