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?

Do you know what the legal implications would be if something went wrong? The contractor would be liable but so would the contractee if something happened because it is illegal to employ someone under 13 years.

Yes, it’s not the householder’s responsibility. It’s my area of expertise.

In this specific case, that is.

And I also offered my viewpoint (whilst agreeing with OP) and referenced some basis to her argument on what could be done/researched moving forward. The beginning could be irrelevant (excuse my waffling/brain dumping, but it's how I relate to others when I 'talk'). I agree, in this circumstance, it's not ok and is clear this isn't the only issue with the trader!

The staff were scrambling round to find a key (I think) or some other way to get in.

After about five minutes of me knocking on the window and gesturing to him to open the door, he sauntered out, big smile on his face 😂😂😂🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

He also attempted to get off the radiotherapy platform when it was 8 feet in the air. Me and my DB heard a radiographer yell “Noooo! Stay there!!! You can’t get off yet!!” - and we leapt up as we KNEW that was going to be dad 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

Even during the very worst of his illness, there were some very comical moments 😂❤️

Why does this bother you? Assume you aren’t paying him by the hour but for the job?

Clealry articulate what the issue is in your own mind then talk to him.

do you think the quality of the work is being impacted?

do you think it is taking much longer than originally agreed, and that is beciase of the child?

You need a CPCS red card to drive a digger and usually have to be over 18 to operate one on a construction site. So yes, it’s an illegal for an unqualified 12 year old to operate a digger on a construction site

You're not paying the unprofessional oik

Was there an agreed time frame for the work?

Is it going past that?

And I never usually correct, but it's dug!

I was born in the early 80's!

My dad used to take us to work in the summer hols. Me and my sister normally did painting jobs and my brothers did heavy lifting (but sexist, but I didn’t mind because I had the easy job). It used to be pretty normal? We’ve not had contractors in who aren’t my dad or people working for him so I don’t know if it’s still like that, probably not.

I think you should just have a word with him, frame it as health and safety issue. I would feel bad for the girl in the van though, surly at 12 she can be left home alone?? I know on mumsnet you can’t leave a child under 18 home alone, but in the real world most 12 year olds can be left home alone. Our neighbours leave their 12 year old home when there working, she has our number if something goes wrong, but it never has.

I’m shocked at the number of people who think it’s ok for a 12 yr old to operate a price of construction machinery, in a workplace on a construction site. If this was your 12 year old I am not sure you’d be so blasé.
It shows the lack of professionalism and competency of the tradesperson along with his cavalier attitude to H&S in his work.

I'd have thought that all legal ramifications would be on him as he's the contractor. It must be difficult for self employed parents, if they don't work they don't get paid. She's probably had to go with him for a few years. If he's doing the job and finishes it to your satisfaction I don't see what the problem is.

This is the crux of the matter. His public liability insurance (assuming he has some) definitely does not cover any injury or damage caused by a 12 year old operating a digger.

I seem to be a bit unusual, I would definitely invite the child into my living room, show them how to operate the TV, show them where the bathroom is and offer them drinks and snacks. That's not 'childcare' it's basic human decency in my book.

Unless you’re concerned about safety I wouldn't worry about it. I had a workman bring his three year old round while he removed and replaced a set of french windows. She sat in my front room and we chatted (she was admittedly very sweet and chatty).

Me too.

OP whatever you say try and be kind about it. I remember going to a boring office with my dad over summer and I remember how kind the other workers are .
He probably doesn't realise it's illegal and he may not even have his own insurance.
Id relay this kindly perhaps putting his daughters safety first and you don't want to be liable.

Does nobody get how illegal this is!!

He couldn’t find child care and brought her to work rather than delay your job which is preferable.
i know people think a 12 year old is old enough to be alone at home but I don’t think so.
it sounds like they have a lovely relationship which is great. She’s also learning a skill rather than watching tV or scrolling endlessly on a screen!

if the job has been done to your satisfaction then I don’t see what the problem is? Just let it go.

Plus, it's illegal ffs!!

Starting to think this a joke thread!@@

For God's sake!! It's illegal.

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.