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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:
Zanatdy · 02/08/2025 16:22

At 12 she is old enough to stay home. Not appropriate taking her to work.

Swirlythingy2025 · 02/08/2025 16:26

what happened to compassion and understanding etc. @TinyBuddhettes

Kuretake · 02/08/2025 16:33

MagnificentBastard · 02/08/2025 13:07

I’d be very unhappy about this, especially the digger bit. If the child were to be injured, you could be partly or wholly liable as the landowner.

What a ridiculous idea no she wouldn't.

Horserider5678 · 02/08/2025 16:34

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.

Then be prepared for the builder to walk away. I’m not condoning his actions but if it’s a choice between doing OP’s drive and looking after his daughter, we know which he’ll choose particularly if OP gets arsey!

Terrribletwos · 02/08/2025 16:38

Overwhelmedandunderfed · 02/08/2025 16:19

Yet again I find myself disagreeing with most people on here. Builders are really expensive, you’re paying for a service and likely a lot of money, it’s not your job to entertain or house a child while he does the work! I can’t believe people think you should.

I just know I would end up inviting her in and then hating myself, I love people that put boundaries in place, likely because I’m a people pleaser and always end up worse off because of it. I would find it really difficult to say I don’t want her on my property and probably just suck it up if there’s only a few days left but honestly you’re right to expect professionalism and that doesn’t include bringing your children to work. I wouldn’t like it if I were paying for a beauty service and the tech’s children were there distracting them, potentially slowing them down and then me having to pay the same price, it’s annoying. That’s happened and I just don’t use them again.

Ffs! Stop all that fluff nonsense!
He let a 12 year old onto the site
It's not fuckng normal and it's actually not illegal!
I can't actually believe your fucking audacity!

Terrribletwos · 02/08/2025 16:42

I mean it is illegal!.]per my post upthread.

Cannot believe that people upthread are condoning this.

Terrribletwos · 02/08/2025 16:46

The op can get rid of him and find an legitimate employer who won't use his 12 year old illegally and leave her in a vulnerable situation. That would be my choice.

Welshmonster · 02/08/2025 16:52

Are you paying for the job or paying a day rate for labour as I would be cross if I was paying a day rate and they were pissing about.

PluckyChancer · 02/08/2025 16:54

FatherFrosty · 02/08/2025 12:21

If you want the job done and done well. Keep your mouth shut.

my kids go with their dad to work. Granted it’s not at peoples houses. They have practical skills their peers are lacking. Many of dh’s tradesman friends take their kids to work in the holidays from 11 upwards really, they earn a bit of pocket money and the business they may or may not go into. As long as they are supervised it’s a win win for all involved.

Not a chance!

I’d be sacking him off the job and getting someone else in to do it properly and report him to the HSE for good measure.

The girl could have caused damage to OP’s property using the digger or even had a serious accident, besides making the job last much longer than necessary.

The OP managed to organise childcare for her own kids so that’s what the dad needs to do.

I’d also be really angry if I was that girl’s mum and discovered that my DH was acting so irresponsibly. I bet they’re divorced as he sounds like a prize twat.

MumOf4totstoteens · 02/08/2025 17:01

My husband has his own groundwork’s Business and it’s quite common for them to take their kids or friends kids in to labour for extra pocket money for them. Mainly just passing blocks and sweeping up. Usually the customers praise the lads for being hardworking and showing initiative and often give them some cash as a bonus. It’s work experience for them. We all complain about teenagers causing trouble or sat on iPads etc. years ago everyone helped out with family business didn’t they?! This is where we are going wrong IMO.

I wouldn’t like them operating any kind of machinery though because they wouldn’t be insured or trained to do so. So that’s a different story.

I would buy an extra pack of biscuits for the girl and have a quiet word with the dad about your concerns re the operating of heavy machinery. You could say I’m happy for your daughter to be here, but one of the neighbours has raised concerns about her using the digger.

ShortColdandGrey · 02/08/2025 17:05

My dad was a builder and we went to work with him all the time. We got to earn some money helping him. I loved mixing the cement. My brothers continued helping my dad throughout their teens.

Terrribletwos · 02/08/2025 17:05

It's illegal for a 12 year old to be there. How many fucking times do i have to say this!!!

Terrribletwos · 02/08/2025 17:06

ShortColdandGrey · 02/08/2025 17:05

My dad was a builder and we went to work with him all the time. We got to earn some money helping him. I loved mixing the cement. My brothers continued helping my dad throughout their teens.

it's illegal!

Overwhelmedandunderfed · 02/08/2025 17:11

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Terrribletwos · 02/08/2025 17:13

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What? Are you replying to me?

Toptotoe · 02/08/2025 17:20

It’s got trouble written all over it. He won’t be insured to have her doing work. You run the risk of some negligence allegation if something happens to her as you have allowed it to happen knowing she is a child.

Tell him that you are worried about the H&S issues and that she cannot come on your property when he is working. If he kicks off let him. Better that than potentially being sued by him. There are other drive layers.

Atina321 · 02/08/2025 17:25

Keep your nose out. Let the kid learn something. Few enough girls go into building work.

My cousin started working as a plumbers mate about that age with his Dad.

BuildbyNumbere · 02/08/2025 17:26

JRM17 · 02/08/2025 14:47

My DS is 8 and he drives a tractor and dumper truck around my friends farm and uses the digger when they are digging ditches etc. He can also drive a manual car (obvs on private land) I really don't see the problem.

The problem is that it isn’t on private land. It’s working on someone’s property, it’s unsafe and could potentially cause damage or hurt someone.

BuildbyNumbere · 02/08/2025 17:27

Waterbaby41 · 02/08/2025 13:54

I honestly have no idea what your problem is. Just let them get on with it or invite the youngster in.

Are you insane?

pinkyredrose · 02/08/2025 17:27

Op what did the guy do when he went to the toilet?

BuildbyNumbere · 02/08/2025 17:28

boredoflaundry · 02/08/2025 14:48

You have no idea what his liability insurance covers.
either ask, or shut your curtains and get on with your day!

It would not cover a child playing on a digger on site.

BuildbyNumbere · 02/08/2025 17:30

Terrribletwos · 02/08/2025 16:13

Does nobody get how illegal this is!!

and dangerous.

Toptotoe · 02/08/2025 17:32

SweetnsourNZ · 02/08/2025 12:34

I would be ok with this so long as I am warned first.

Show quote history

Neither the worker or the occupier are insured if anything happens to the child. It’s pretty reckless behaviour . . .

LadySuzanne · 02/08/2025 17:33

LovelyBitOfSquirrrel · 02/08/2025 12:15

Agreed, I would have no issue with this and admire the fact she’s learning on the job and a father and daughter are enjoying spending time together whilst doing so. Better than most parenting we see now.

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Rot!

If he wants to teach his daughter to use machinery he should do so on his own private land - not on a customer's drive.

There is no way I would tolerate a child under the age of 18, with no training and certification, to be messing about with a digger on my property.

He's being paid to do a job - not let his child lark about with machinery.

As for suggesting the OP should invite the child to watch TV or sit in her garden!

Nanny0gg · 02/08/2025 17:36

Atina321 · 02/08/2025 17:25

Keep your nose out. Let the kid learn something. Few enough girls go into building work.

My cousin started working as a plumbers mate about that age with his Dad.

Edited

Nose out??

It's her bloody land and she's paying for the work!

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