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?

Wishing for a 😂 reaction. That's brilliant!

This nails it for me.

Hourly rate = I’d be pissed off at paying more for his DD to be entertained.

Fixed price = absolutely zero issues, and I’d even be quietly approving of him showing her how to use a digger.

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.

Slightly off the subject but my dearly departed dad (who had dementia at the time) managed to lock himself into the MRI command centre, surrounded by all the million-pound equipment. The staff were in a right panic, understandably.

He wouldn’t open the door and let anyone in, but he was VERY pleased with himself for getting in there 😂😂😂😂

As the daughter of a plant operator, I operated one at about that age. But that was on our own private land. They are quite fun.
But she shouldn’t be using when he is at work. You can’t tell him who can be sitting in his own van off your property.
I went to work with my DF at a similar age but I just read lots of books.

Well obviously, this being Mumsnet, no way should she be allowed to use the OP's bathroom. And neither should her father.

First rule of Mumsnet: Thou shalt not allow tradesmen to shit in your loo.

Second rule of Mumsnet: If a tradesman shits in your loo when you are out, or otherwise distracted and therefore unable to gatekeep thy bog, then thou shalt not provide him with the means to clean up properly after himself. No loo brush. He must use a wodge of loo roll and get his bare hands up to his elbows in u-bend water and skidmarks. If he fails to do this thou shalt pronounce him to be a filthy fucker with no manners.

And he is there all day.

So the OP either pays the extra for a legal workplace or at a minimum provides access to her toilet.

What's wrong with him asking to use the bathroom? dp you think k he's going to give you working class germs?

This has to be a wind up

I had a cleaner once who used to bring a baby, she would wear it in a sling. I know she really needed the money but I had to let her go. It was only a casual arrangement so no notice requires. I definitely didn't want to get embroiled in any issues if she fell while hoovering the stairs or anything.

In your circumstances OP I'd overlook her being in the van or just sitting around watching/on her phone/reading a book and would probably offer her a drink of squash etc. I even think passing tools, helping with measuring etc fine. But I wouldn't put up with her doing anything remotely dangerous or like actual work.

I would not be happy! You are right to have concerns, builder should of mentioned that he had to bring his daughter to work, which is totally inappropriate.You are paying him to work, not to look after his daughter. Although now he has started, you are now in the awkward situation to complain.As obviously you need him to complete the work! I really dislike this entitled behaviour! We had some carpets fitted a while ago.I opened the front door to the carpet fitter, who brought his son with him.I asked how old he was,he said 16? I thought he looked younger,not very happy about it! I could smell burning, carpet fitter said a light bulb fell onto the carpet & son had burnt his hand picking up lightbulb? Have a cloth for his son, I said yes,handed him a flannel.Shortly after the dad had said he had to ring his wife to take his son to hospital.It was total lies, his son had be playing with a carpet glue gun.Which had burnt the carpet! & Probably burnt the sons hand.Is the builder insured to have his daughter at your property? I would mention to the builder that it's not professional & not really ok!

I can’t believe so many people think it’s appropriate for someone who is being paid to do a particular job to allow their dc to mess round on a digger in someone else’s property while they film them. Madness.

It has nothing to do with learning skills, childcare, whatever. It’s not appropriate and it’s not legal or insurable.

If there is a childcare issue the dc can either stay home or sit on the van or near dad. Passing things and helping is ok and rather nice but using machinery is not. It’s really simple.

I seriously cannot fathom some of these responses like invite the kid in to watch tv , the OP presumably is paying a fair amount of money to have her drive done , she isn’t a childminder . I also wouldn’t be happy about having a 12 yo digging up my drive , presumably she’s not insured and I’d be very interested if it’s a hired digger as she definitely wouldn’t be insured . At 12 she should be able to stay home alone in the holidays , if she cannot then he either needs to make arrangements for her or take the time off work - this is not the OPs problem . What I would say @TinyBuddhettes is be very wary about him walking off the job as many other tradesmen will not want to pick up on half done jobs although this is also dependent on who your current tradesperson is .

Lool how did he get out??

Blimey. Do you send him up to clean the chimney too?

In no time at all, the job will be finished.

I don't see the tradesman endangering his own daughter.

Good on him! I see builders doing this with their son's all the time and no one bats an eyelid!
And where do you think he should go if he needs the toilet if you don't want him to use yours?

I get the impression that OP allowed use of the loo....and regreted it.

Wow! How cold are you?! Invite the kid to use your WiFi, offer her a drink/biscuit/whatever. Then while the kid is occupied the dad will do your drive, they'll all be happy/grateful and you should have a decent relationship with the person you need to do a decent job, rather than a difficult tense one posted on Mumsnet while you curtain twitch. Jeesuuus

Personally I think it is great he is exposing his daughter to a trade she and most women do not go in to. Good experience for her.

FFS what is up with people no wonder society is so selfish and no one helps each other out anymore.

I would have invited her in, gave her the WiFi code and stuck the telly on for her.

I would see this as the ultimate in unprofessionalism.

Take her or lose a days pay. Then obviously he loses a day's pay.

DH used to go with his dad to do building jobs in the 80s, when he was a young teen. Both parents worked full time and they needed the money. I know times have changed but I think 12 is too young to be left at home all day alone every day for six weeks (and holiday clubs stop at 11 years old round here) so I guess the builders options are limited.

I'd leave a very bad review on local FB pages and Google reviews if a tradesman came to my house with his kids.

Two days a week our excellent builder used to pick his younger DC up from the nearby school as his wife worked later. I let them play in the garden/go on the trampoline, and sorted out squash and biscuits for them. But he was a great builder, and it was only for 90 minutes. I guess all day every day might be a bit much. But I would wonder why a 12 year old can’t stay home.