Page 4 | Do your 15 year olds work?

TropicofCapricorn · 2025-05-01T05:59:03+00:00

If so, what are they doing? Just on another thread,and others who just seem to think 15 year olds can easily get jobs. Gone are the days of paper rounds etc so what jobs are they imagining the 15 yo will be doing? Odd jobs? Regular Saturday jobs? Where?

ButterPiesAreGreat · 30/09/2025 22:23

The rules round here are v specific and you have to get a permit, so most employers won’t bother with those still at school. The only options are paper round or if you’re lucky, in a family business. There was a distinct lack of paper rounds since the local shop closed although a newsagent 4 miles away allegedly delivered. Add to that that they weren’t allowed to work before 7am and a morning paper round was impossible because they needed to be on a bus before 8. Most of their friends did not have jobs until after leaving school either.

itsallabitofamystery · 30/09/2025 22:56

@ButterPiesAreGreatyour area appears to have the same rules as ours. Although my daughter’s employer was happy to apply for a permit, school said it was unlikely to be approved due it being an “adult” environment and that they were unlikely to stick to the permitted hours. It’s such a shame when these young people are so willing to work.

ButterPiesAreGreat · 30/09/2025 23:04

itsallabitofamystery · 30/09/2025 22:56

@ButterPiesAreGreatyour area appears to have the same rules as ours. Although my daughter’s employer was happy to apply for a permit, school said it was unlikely to be approved due it being an “adult” environment and that they were unlikely to stick to the permitted hours. It’s such a shame when these young people are so willing to work.

It’s definitely easier once theyve done GCSEs. Although the college mine went to advised parents and students that jobs should be limited to 8h pw in term time because research showed any longer impacted final grades.

HowManyFilmsCanIWatchInARow · 30/09/2025 23:25

There are no jobs for 15 year olds here. My kids both looked after friends cats at that age when they went on holiday but that was it.

My oldest tried for a few jobs at 16 but it was impossible. He ended up doing some GCSE tuition which paid better though. Once he turned 18, he got jobs much easier, but now he’s at uni, they’re hard to fit around his course and his placements. He works in the summer and does some A level tuition.

Based on my oldest child’s experience, my youngest is doing some GCSE tuition, but isn’t going to spend the time applying for jobs until she’s is 18 as it’s just wasted effort.

Ribidibidibidoobahday · 01/10/2025 08:10

Ooops, seeing the regulation upload I just realised I got 14 and 15 year olds mixed up in terms of reduced hours. To clarify the young people working at the cafe this summer were 15yrs. When I started work I was 14.

Freshfacet · 01/10/2025 08:15

No! I wouldn’t want him to!

Freshfacet · 01/10/2025 08:16

HowManyFilmsCanIWatchInARow · 30/09/2025 23:25

There are no jobs for 15 year olds here. My kids both looked after friends cats at that age when they went on holiday but that was it.

My oldest tried for a few jobs at 16 but it was impossible. He ended up doing some GCSE tuition which paid better though. Once he turned 18, he got jobs much easier, but now he’s at uni, they’re hard to fit around his course and his placements. He works in the summer and does some A level tuition.

Based on my oldest child’s experience, my youngest is doing some GCSE tuition, but isn’t going to spend the time applying for jobs until she’s is 18 as it’s just wasted effort.

Your son was giving gcse tuition at 16 @HowManyFilmsCanIWatchInARow ?

dizzydizzydizzy · 01/10/2025 09:31

No. They were in year 11 (both DCs summer babies). DC1 starting working as a lifeguard at the start of year 12, aged 16 and a few weeks.

DC2 was 16 in the summer of 2020 so obviously couldn't work. They started volunteering at animal rescue centres in the 6th form. Then has a gap year after A-Levels. They worked full time as an assistant at a vet's and then as a lifeguard before starting uni.