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Original poster

Builder brings 12 year old daughter to work

398 replies

TinyBuddhettes · 02/08/2025 07:52

Childcare issues, I get it. This contractor/builder guy is doing up our drive. His daughter mostly stays in his van but yesterday I could see that she was operating the mini digger while he was recording her. This wasn't just a couple of minutes for a photo, it went on for maybe an hour. The two of them were frolicking and being quite stupid really. I was in disbelief watching from inside the house. Our drive is now all digged up and I don't want any awkwardness or the potential of him not finishing the job. Anyone know where we stand with the law? Can we say that from a legal point of view we do not consent to an under 16 being withing the bounds of our property at any point?

OP posts:
sesquipedalian · 02/08/2025 08:01

I’m sorry, I don’t know the legal position, but it all sounds very irresponsible, and I completely understand why you’re not happy - I wouldn’t be.

Spaglasagneaise · 02/08/2025 08:34

Irresponsible and id definately ask him to not have his daughter anywhere on my property for safety. How old does she look? If she looks almost 16, her sitting in his van would be fine.

LlynTegid · 02/08/2025 08:36

I would not be opposed to her sitting in the van or indeed on the garden, but operating machinery or delaying the work would be a no-no for me.

Original poster
TinyBuddhettes · 02/08/2025 08:39

She looks her age although she acts younger, probably out of boredom. I do feel for her, having to wait in the van all day. The contractor never said he'd be bringing his daughter. She's gradually been spending more time outside the van, getting involved in the work, etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
TinyBuddhettes · 02/08/2025 08:40

Whilst in the van she's not in my property, so although she's a distraction to the contractor (doesn't take much), there's nothing I can say about that.

OP posts:
AnSolas · 02/08/2025 08:49

Whats your problem?

How long did he say it was going to take?
Is he behind the schedule?
Are you paying by time or total price for the finished job?

She is highly unlikely to dig up your utility pipes so the physical danger would be she tips the machine or manages to run over her dad.

So legally you could report to your LA and/or the Health and Safety Executive.

[( edit) Or just ask directly him not to her to work
Or just ask him directly not to bring her to work ]

rainbowstardrops · 02/08/2025 08:51

I wouldn’t allow her on your property and I’d definitely say something about her using the digger! He’s there to do a professional job and it’s up to the girl’s parents to sort their childcare out. I’d say something.

YeOldy · 02/08/2025 08:54

Has she asked to use your bathroom.

I really wouldn’t like it but I’m not sure there is much you can do

cheezncrackers · 02/08/2025 08:57

There are laws about child labour in this country. If she is 12 and operating a digger/doing part of the work that you have employed her DF to do, then you should really speak to him about it. I don't understand why people are so lacking in assertiveness tbh. In the van, fine. Doing the work? Not.

Original poster
TinyBuddhettes · 02/08/2025 08:58

He has asked to use my bathroom and honestly, I won't even go there, that's a different thread. At times I see the van gone and I am assumed he goes home so his daughter can use the bathroom.

OP posts:
LavnderBlue · 02/08/2025 09:00

Far from optimal but contractors are always getting distracted (usually by their workmates) - but on balance I would say nothing - providing she stays on communal / public land and contractor gets job done.

Pompom12 · 02/08/2025 09:04

Going against the grain here, but if your goal is to get him to finish quickly and clear off..have you considered asking her into your house at the times while you're there and giving her the TV to watch so that she is both safe and not a distraction. He might speed up.

Original poster
TinyBuddhettes · 02/08/2025 09:29

Pompom12 · 02/08/2025 09:04

Going against the grain here, but if your goal is to get him to finish quickly and clear off..have you considered asking her into your house at the times while you're there and giving her the TV to watch so that she is both safe and not a distraction. He might speed up.

This is the last thing I'd want to do, both my DH and I work from home, and I also feel it would backfire as it might make the contractor feel too much at ease and even take longer, thinking that we won't mind, boundaries blurred, etc. I want to remain professional, not over familiar.

OP posts:
AnSolas · 02/08/2025 09:29

TinyBuddhettes · 02/08/2025 08:58

He has asked to use my bathroom and honestly, I won't even go there, that's a different thread. At times I see the van gone and I am assumed he goes home so his daughter can use the bathroom.

Did you pay for the rental of a portable toilet plus a drying and rest area for your job?

Tweedledumtweedle · 02/08/2025 09:30

It’s fine. I don’t see the problem

Sandyoldelbows · 02/08/2025 09:32

Fine for her to sit in the car. Absolutely not fine for her to be using the digger - illegal. If there was an accident on your land and you knew it was happening that would be very unfortunate. Just tell him to please not allow his daughter to use the machinery on this job.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 02/08/2025 09:34

AnSolas · 02/08/2025 09:29

Did you pay for the rental of a portable toilet plus a drying and rest area for your job?

Show quote history

It’s a drive resurfacing, not a fucking tower block. ‘Rest area’ 🤪 ! You missed out the mini kitchen and the four poster bed for a siesta….

Laiste · 02/08/2025 09:35

Gosh i think i'd ask if she would like to come in and watch the telly bless her. She's obvs on her summer school holls and there's no one at home.

Maybe i'm a push over but my husband is a builder by trade and we have an 11 year old DD (who also likes to have a go on the digger when we do our own projects at home)(it's usually me in the digger) and i can just imagine how bored she'd be having to sit in a van all day 😕

Ifailed · 02/08/2025 09:37

He's encouraging a 12 YO girl to get interested in construction, good for him.

newhouseplans · 02/08/2025 09:38

YABU.

A friend of mine grew up with a builder dad and went on jobs with him. He sometimes let her have a go.

She's now a successful interior designer.

Mind you, I'm also with the people saying I'd invite the kid inside. I'd feel sorry for her stick in the van.

StMarie4me · 02/08/2025 09:40

You don’t want him to use your toilet?! I hope you’re prepared for him to go off site and find a McDs or Tesco or somewhere then? At your expense for time?
Batshit.

Reallybadidea · 02/08/2025 09:56

A 12 year old should be fine to be left at home. And if not then booked into a holiday club.

Whinge · 02/08/2025 09:59

Reallybadidea · 02/08/2025 09:56

A 12 year old should be fine to be left at home. And if not then booked into a holiday club.

Agreed. If the builder's daughter is bored, that's not the OPs problem to fix.

Tealpins · 02/08/2025 10:04

Argh. She's perfectly fine operating the mini digger.

If you complain, who's looking after the 12 year old? If you are actually worried about completing the job, and then you give the bloke 6 weeks of childcare nightmare to sort, do you think that speeds up or slows down your job?