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Original poster

My 18 year old hasn't been paid for her summer job.

61 replies

Espana12 · 05/09/2026 17:49

DD turned 18 in July and has been working for 1-2 days a week in August for a local business. It's a kids holiday workshop business with a shop front on the high street and it's been there for around 10 years.

DD worked all the days/hours asked (4-5 hour shifts per day - no lunch break, twice a week) was 5 minutes late on 2 occasions but otherwise very good at her job. She has worked with children before and enjoys it.

The business owner interviewed DD in May and offered her summer work there and then. The details (salary, hours) were worked out over text in July.

The owner told her she pays wages at month end, but it's now several days over and despite a couple of text messages, DD hasn't received anything (nor a reply to her texts). What would you do? I'm inclined to let DD handle this herself initially but feel DH and I may need to support. The outstanding wages are around £650.

OP posts:
Original poster
Espana12 · 05/09/2026 18:51

I’ve had a look at the texts between them and it’s definitely 31st August. DD has sent her bank details.

OP posts:
worriedbeyondwords · 05/09/2026 18:47

We had similar.. they tried to get out of paying by saying it was a ‘trial’ .. I went to the council.. I also happen to work in modern slavery investigation… wrong child to try and fuck over . I gave them an option . Pay up or I report . Long story short .. (the owner never available) .. so I told them I was going to the police to report slavery - which work without pay is.. guess what . ? They paid . I am very happy to report they have gone bust and closed up .

BillieWiper · 05/09/2026 18:45

If it's a month in hand she won't get august pay til end of September? I know of employers like that.

Happyjoe · 05/09/2026 18:44

Espana12 · 05/09/2026 18:42

No NI number asked for, and no CRB check.

Thank you for all the advice. I’m sure the owner will pay up if she’s got any sense. She’s broken so many rules.

Once she's been paid, report anyway. Shocking business and putting children at risk.

itsgettingweird · 05/09/2026 18:42

And if she mentions the checks remember it’s DBS now not CRB. It’ll help her if she quotes the right things!

Original poster
Espana12 · 05/09/2026 18:42

No NI number asked for, and no CRB check.

Thank you for all the advice. I’m sure the owner will pay up if she’s got any sense. She’s broken so many rules.

OP posts:
damemaggiescurledupperlip · 05/09/2026 18:41

Yep. Even if dd never gets her wages, she could drop a world of hurt on the owner once tac people, CRB people, H&S people are dimes . And of course. Letting parents know that untrained, unchecked people are looking g after their little darlings

HangryBrickShark · 05/09/2026 18:37

Espana12 · 05/09/2026 18:22

It’s frustrating as DD leaves for Uni in a few days’ time and this was her money for things like freshers week, buying a few things for her room in halls. She wasn’t asked to show ID at any point. They don’t even have DD’s address.

The kids workshops run after school during term time so there would be scope to pop in one day, but DD will have left for Uni by the time they restart. I’ve got no issue with going in alone.

I’m cross with the owner. I felt her comms over text were ‘off’ from the start. Little to no training given but condescending comments on the few occasions DD made inconsequential mistakes. It’s knocked her confidence and made her doubt herself. Now having to repeatedly chase for wages is so wrong.

Makes me wonder if owner is registered as a business and has employee insurance. Sounds very worrying.

VanCleefArpels · 05/09/2026 18:37

There doesn’t need to be a written contract for there to be a contract. The text exchange sets out the basic terms.

write a letter addressed to their premises setting out

  1. agreed hourly rate / days by reference to text of x date
  2. a list if each shift - times abd dates
  3. tital hours worked are therefore x, at £y per hour that makes Z
  4. please transfer me the sum of £Z to 12345 bank account by close of business on (date)
  5. if I do not receive this I will take further action to recover all sums due
take the hard copy letter to the premises and also send attached to an email.
GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 05/09/2026 18:36

Did they ask for her national insurance number? This is sounding dodgier by the minute!

professionalcommentreader · 05/09/2026 18:35

This is the route you’d get assistance and the employer can be fined https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/digital-forms/open/form/pay-and-work-rights-complaint/draft/start#1

Themsofcoffee · 05/09/2026 18:32

ProfessorSlocombe · 05/09/2026 18:05

Letter Before Action, and a small claims (fast track) to follow.

Why mess around and waste any more time ?

This. The citizens advice website should have template letters for this (they used to so I'm sure they still do).

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 05/09/2026 18:31

The CRB is a very interesting angle to take. Bet local council would be very interested to hear about this

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 05/09/2026 18:29

This happened to nephew last summer. There were texts going back and forth saying ‘oh yes, just got to sort hours/can’t find time sheet. Then he got a bit of the money, then radio silence. Asked student union foradvice and they were kind but not particularly helpful. Nephew didn’t want us involved really. In the end (probably a bit riskily) he faked an email from a solicitor saying if payment wasn’t made by certain date, steps would be taken. The owner sent a text saying ‘sorry, I’d forgotten - here is the rest of your money’
Some of these people are so dodgy- especially employing locals.

Moonnstarz · 05/09/2026 18:25

Espana12 · 05/09/2026 18:22

It’s frustrating as DD leaves for Uni in a few days’ time and this was her money for things like freshers week, buying a few things for her room in halls. She wasn’t asked to show ID at any point. They don’t even have DD’s address.

The kids workshops run after school during term time so there would be scope to pop in one day, but DD will have left for Uni by the time they restart. I’ve got no issue with going in alone.

I’m cross with the owner. I felt her comms over text were ‘off’ from the start. Little to no training given but condescending comments on the few occasions DD made inconsequential mistakes. It’s knocked her confidence and made her doubt herself. Now having to repeatedly chase for wages is so wrong.

Do they have her bank details? Or was she expecting cash?
It does sounds dodgy as they should have asked for her national insurance number.
I would definitely step in as I bet they are hoping she won't chase it.

Original poster
Espana12 · 05/09/2026 18:22

It’s frustrating as DD leaves for Uni in a few days’ time and this was her money for things like freshers week, buying a few things for her room in halls. She wasn’t asked to show ID at any point. They don’t even have DD’s address.

The kids workshops run after school during term time so there would be scope to pop in one day, but DD will have left for Uni by the time they restart. I’ve got no issue with going in alone.

I’m cross with the owner. I felt her comms over text were ‘off’ from the start. Little to no training given but condescending comments on the few occasions DD made inconsequential mistakes. It’s knocked her confidence and made her doubt herself. Now having to repeatedly chase for wages is so wrong.

OP posts:
KvotheTheBloodless · 05/09/2026 18:22

Happened to me as a teenager, my dad sorted it out.

Lesina · 05/09/2026 18:20

Step in and advise the owner that she is breaking the law. Then report it to HMRC. I absolutely hate people taking advantage of kids like this. Vile behaviour.

OhJacintaWhatNow · 05/09/2026 18:18

Surely she should have been CRB checked too, to be employed with children like that 😬

I might drop that into conversation as well - it sounds like she's a very dodgy employer. I'd mention that I would be checked with hmrc as well to make sure there's no issues with her tax code etc...

IDontHateRainbows · 05/09/2026 18:17

Acas- unlawful deduction of wages claim.

This is a far easier route than small claims and is free. Conciliator will contact them on your daughter's behalf.

Gazelda · 05/09/2026 18:17

i’d get DD to role play how she could speak with them face to face.

then go in with her next time they’re open. Stand to one side while she has the conversation.

Then step in if they’re fobbing her off. Tell them you’re prepared to help DD to start a small claims case if necessary.

it will do her good to try to solve it herself. But some people take advantage of young people, so having you there might prevent her from being exploited.

mindutopia · 05/09/2026 18:14

Does she have an actual date of expected payment? Teen dd submits her timesheet on the last day of the month and pay date is the 8th of the next month. It threw us the first month as well.

EppingIsFun · 05/09/2026 18:10

ProfessorSlocombe · 05/09/2026 18:05

Letter Before Action, and a small claims (fast track) to follow.

Why mess around and waste any more time ?

Second this.

Jenpen31 · 05/09/2026 18:06

That's terrible. I would go with her to the buisness as soon as you are able. Even if you just stand outside.
I have two children similar age and I would definitely be making sure she was given the money owed. That's alot of money for her.

Ribenaberry12 · 05/09/2026 18:06

Are the only open in school holidays? Can you ‘call in as you’re passing’ with her to enquire about the wages and speak to them in person. They might be a bit more on it if you’re asking questions whilst they have paying customers present.