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Original poster

Son not paid for work at local pub what can I do?

62 replies

ThisUniqueLilacBee · 26/11/2025 07:51

My 16yo son was delighted to get a Saturday job as a KP in a local pub. He did his first shift and said that although it was very chaotic, he wanted to go back each Saturday. However, we did not hear from them, and then he got removed from the work WhatsApp group. Ok, maybe it did not work out. The problem is that it has been over a month, and they have not paid him for the shift. I sent them a nice Messenger message, and the pub blocked me! Then I sent an email, no reply. What can I do now? Even if it did not work out they legally must pay, right?

OP posts:
Greedybilly · 26/11/2025 21:09

Both ofbmy kids have had this.its outrageous. My hubby went and stood and tore a strip off a chef in a local pub who dicked my daughter around.He apologised and we also got an apology from the owner. Would much rather they'd just had a bit of integrity with daughter.

kittywittyandpretty · 26/11/2025 22:35

Small claims court.
you do need to send a letter before action, but you could deliver that in hand very loudly on a Saturday afternoon. With several family members to and perhaps banner

youegg · 27/11/2025 04:52

kittywittyandpretty · 26/11/2025 22:35

Small claims court.
you do need to send a letter before action, but you could deliver that in hand very loudly on a Saturday afternoon. With several family members to and perhaps banner

Costs over £60. If the OP is keen on making a loss then go for it.

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Notlongnowthank · 27/11/2025 05:18

Fishingboatbobbingnight · 26/11/2025 19:07

my daughter had exactly this kind of issue with a café in our local town, I went to see them and they said it was a trial shift. I said I don’t care if it’s a trial shift if somebody works then you pay them they refused. I then told them that I would report them to the local council who deal with young workers as they need to check that young workers are working the right amount of hours and not being exploited. After this very brief conversation the manager rang the owner and paid the amount owed. Do not stand for this. It is modern slavery for people to work for no moneysimple as that.

Good for you.I definitely would be going to the pub to have a chat with the manager if that was one of my children being exploited!!

frenella · 27/11/2025 05:46

He should absolutely be paid for the work he did. We have many situations where we bring people in and theyre a bit shit, but they still worked so they get paid.
Even if he was a bit shit, he should get paid. You should pursue this.
But maybe also address with your son WHY they didn't want him back. There's a work ethic, enthusiasm, politeness required for any job.

176509user · 27/11/2025 05:55

frenella · 27/11/2025 05:46

He should absolutely be paid for the work he did. We have many situations where we bring people in and theyre a bit shit, but they still worked so they get paid.
Even if he was a bit shit, he should get paid. You should pursue this.
But maybe also address with your son WHY they didn't want him back. There's a work ethic, enthusiasm, politeness required for any job.

Probably the one and only reason they didn’t want him back is he was free labour for one day under the guise of a “ trial shift” which he wasn’t told about.

ohyesido · 27/11/2025 06:07

That’s very immoral of the pub, to not even inform him that he’s not being kept on is very rude and unprofessional. I would go and see them in person to make them explain why they have withheld payment.

snoopythebeagle · 27/11/2025 06:48

SmalltownCEO · 26/11/2025 20:04

They’ve not actually paid anything.
Shouldn’t be hard to prove he turned up and did a shift. Clearly not volunteering without that paperwork.

Show quote history

Yes, I know they’ve not paid anything.

But OP and her son have no proof of what work he did, what works he worked or what he was promised in terms of payment.

Stephenkingsbiggestfan · 27/11/2025 07:00

I do the books for a pub. When young people don’t do so well in a trial shift we don’t waste time and money paying them through payroll. We put the £20/30 in an envelope behind the bar for them to pick up. I’d pop in and ask for his wages owed on a busy Sunday lunch service. I am sure it won’t take long to get the money if you tell everyone who comes up to the bar why you are there.

footballmum · 27/11/2025 07:49

Work is work. “Trial shifts” have no legal standing and are in no way exempt from the national minimum wage. Your son could bring a claim in an employment tribunal for unlawful deductions from wages but would need to start ACAS early conciliation first. Don’t hang around though. He should do it within 3 months of the date he worked for them. He should also report them to HMRC who currently enforce the NMW although that is soon to be passed to the Fair Work Agency.

I also agree with others that a warning on social media is a good idea to warn others. These unscrupulous employers need to be named and shamed!

CandyCaneKisses · 27/11/2025 07:50

I’d shame then on SM so that other parents of young kids are aware.

kittywittyandpretty · 27/11/2025 08:14

youegg · 27/11/2025 04:52

Costs over £60. If the OP is keen on making a loss then go for it.

Show quote history

It only cost £60 if you lose if you win they pay the £60 which is why you send the letter before action highlighting this and everybody comes to a reasonable agreement at 1 pm on a Saturday afternoon as loudly as possible

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