Builder brings 12 year old daughter to work

[TinyBuddhettes]

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?

You would expect a client to entertain their contractors toddler? Really?

Maybe the girl would be happy to come in the house and watch tv with you or maybe sit in the back garden with you and chat.
Or do you NOT like kids.
I’m sure she’d be happy to have a cold drink and a chat if you welcomed her.

The OP is working. Why do you think she should be responsible for entertaining the builder's daughter?

Ok. Let’s look at this from a different perspective. How would you view me as an HCP taking my child to work? Do you know the difficulties faced by full time employed (in NHS) people? Would you be happy letting him sit in the room while I explain what I’ll be doing during your appointment, performing a complex medical examination? Would you offer drinks and biscuits? Surely you either want the procedure done or not? Maybe that’s how I would expect you to act…

it’s not professional to be taking your children to work, be it as an HCP, builder, decorator whatever. And if you are expecting your clients to entertain them while you get on with the job then maybe you should be paying them for childcare.

Are you even serious? I am working. So is my husband. I have made arrangements for my own kids, I most certainly don't want to be entertaining someone else's.

Taking your daughter to work and allowing her to piss around on a digger so that she doesn't 'obsess over bodies and looks'? Give over!

Tell him that he can’t bring his dd to work on your building site. If there’s an accident what would happen insurance wise? You are not a childminder either. He needs to have childcare sorted. On Monday he will be there as agreed in the contract but without his dd which you have not agreed to have on site.

Yes, let's say you're a radiographer and you bring your 12 YO in to press the button to take patient X-rays, that's totally fine isn't it?

You sound awful. When I have tradespeople on my property they are always made welcome to use the loo, pop their lunch in the fridge if they want and I'll always make them a drink and offer a biscuit. If I'm not around I let them know where the tea coffee milk are and leave mugs and a tray out etc and they are welcome to make a drink!
I never understand what people expect tradespeople to do if they need the loo, of course they have to use yours, do you expect them to go for a wee in the bushes?!

He can have his daughter in his van. That is not for OP to negate.
He mustn’t allow her on the drive.
OP should let him use the loo. Personally I would allow the daughter too as well but she doesn’t have to.

Digged up?

You are joking? Why should the OP be providing child care for someone else.

🤣

Diggy diggy dig dig!

Not sure what the problem is. Is the work you want being done? I mean she’s getting work experience, surely to be encouraged?

🤣🤣🤣

It’s because the op is a woman and some people think that women are there to look after kids instead of men. This man can’t sort out childcare so the op has to pick up the slack and chat and such tv with his kid. Obviously it’s completely unacceptable.

I’d assume he’s had a nightmare with childcare and the choice is either she comes with him, or he delays your job until after the summer holidays. I can’t imagine he’s thrilled at having his DD with him at work. Maybe her mum was supposed to look after her but is ill, maybe she was booked in to a club that’s been cancelled, maybe she was going to grandparents who now can’t have her for some reason. I’ll bet this wasn’t his first choice though.

you dont need to entertain her
you could offer her your TV, i guess she is happier in the van

I think my idea of a 12 yr old is more capable than other people’s ideas… showing kids work experience is great imo

But then mine has been using a knife since 3 and helps with chores at home. He doesn’t goto kids activities he does family ones. We are not a kid friendly society, intolerant of their presence yet baby them at the same time

I don't think I would be that bothered unless the quality of the work was at risk.

As for the medical appointment scenario mentioned above - I wouldn't be happy with that as it's confidential medical information.

I've had my 13 year old lad working with me on site - he's adept at pulling wires through conduit runs, can wire up ring circuits, fit sockets, construct dado sections.

Good for kids to learn some skills.

But none of those scenarios; or any others, means it's acceptable for the young girl to be pratting around driving a digger on the OP's property while her dad films her.

I know. Golden isn’t it

I would say we are working from home so busy but she is welcome to come in and use the WiFi/ watch tv/ use the toilet.
Where I live tradespeople are so difficult to get I would go out of my way not to upset them. It may be different where you live.