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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that the under 18s minimum wage is exploitative

238 replies

DaddyDavid · 18/01/2015 09:55

My son who is 16 has been offered a job at a supermarket. The pay is £3.72 an hour. I can't und why the minimum wage is lower for under-18s it seems like age discrimination. This has annoyed me so much, as I fualt it would be good for ds1 to get a Saturday job but know I think it would be better if he worked about the house and I pay him more aibu

OP posts:
19lottie82 · 18/01/2015 10:00

I think all kids have to work a Saturday job with shit pay, it's part of growing up! Not saying that makes it right though!

lljkk · 18/01/2015 10:02

Then do that? Just pay him at home?
I dunno, unemployment in this group is so high, anything to give them an advantage isn't crazy. There are employers who do not pay under 18s the under 18 wage, btw, hunt around.

Of course when someone suggested that the same tactic might be okay for disabled people, and a govt. minister agreed it was an idea worth discussing (for same reasons, hard for many disabled to even get starter jobs), the media completely blew the whole thing up to having meaning and insinuations nobody ever meant.

So lots of disabled people do lots of volunteer work for Nothing instead, and everybody thinks that's fine. I guess that's an option for teens, too.

LongDistanceLove · 18/01/2015 10:02

My first job paid £3.77, yeah it's shit but you've gotta start somewhere.

Original poster
DaddyDavid · 18/01/2015 10:02

Just realised I said und I meant to say understand

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 18/01/2015 10:03

Arguments for and against on this blog

'Paid for household chores' isn't going to help his CV, but any employment is likely so to do.

feckitall · 18/01/2015 10:04

If they do the same job as an adult they should get the same wage.

PancakesAndMapleSyrup · 18/01/2015 10:04

I dont know wht to write im actually quite speechless. £3.72is fuck all no its not right its bloody awful, however it is part of growing up and earning your own money so that there does become a value to it.

GrinAndTonic · 18/01/2015 10:04

Probably because most only work to get pocket money for clothes, cars etc
There are not many under 17's paying rent etc.

RingtheBells · 18/01/2015 10:05

He will be glad of the experience if he goes to university and needs a student job, it will give him a head start above those with no employment history. It worked out like this for my DS.

expatinscotland · 18/01/2015 10:06

YES! Legalised age discrimination from another era that needs to be abolished. Allows employers to exploit young people and exclude older people from the same job.

RingtheBells · 18/01/2015 10:06

I don't agree with it though, it is exploitation.

avocadotoast · 18/01/2015 10:07

I agree with you, OP.

It's not so bad for under 18s who live at home and are just working for a bit of pocket money/experience, but what about the ones who live alone and have to support themselves? Such bullshit.

Original poster
DaddyDavid · 18/01/2015 10:08

it's just not worth him working for £3.72 an hour. I can understand if the wage was a little bit lower but not half of the adult minimum wage.

OP posts:
bobs123 · 18/01/2015 10:12

Not that it makes a great deal of difference but minimum wage for 16 yr olds is £3.79 - it went up from £3.72 last year!!!

My DDs went through it and DD1 is now on £6.50 as she's 21

Original poster
DaddyDavid · 18/01/2015 10:14

If they paid pensioners the a lower wage it would be age discrimination but it's okay for young people to work for a lower wage.

OP posts:
bobs123 · 18/01/2015 10:15

Would he get more if he worked sundays instead as some supermarkets pay more for that day. Also don't forget he will get holiday pay as well

bruffin · 18/01/2015 10:15

I dont think there is anything wrong with paying teens less. They lack experience in the job and life and will need teaching and more surpervision.
Saying that there are non minium wage out there for teenagers. Ds is a p/t lifeguard and gets about double op and Dd 17 gets 9.50 an hour for a few hours a week lool8ng after a little boy sn. But she has been involved with sn club for 5 years

GraysAnalogy · 18/01/2015 10:15

He won't pay tax though so I suppose that's a bit of a 'bonus'.

I worked for £3.64, and whilst it wasn't a lot after a weeks work it was worth it as it was my only income and I lived on my own at 17. Plus the experience is valuable especially in today's times.

Original poster
DaddyDavid · 18/01/2015 10:15

Just checked the letter it is £3.79 this is still a terrible amount.

OP posts:
18yearstooold · 18/01/2015 10:18

There are more restrictions about what 16 year olds can and can't do in terms of health and safety, break entitlement and hours worked

I do think it should be around £5 ph as a minimum though

Original poster
DaddyDavid · 18/01/2015 10:19

I understand work experience but it seems really unfair to me.

OP posts:
GraysAnalogy · 18/01/2015 10:19

I think one of the important things to think about is if this wage was higher, how many of them would chose to go onto further education?

WyrdByrd · 18/01/2015 10:19

'Paid for household chores' isn't going to help his CV, but any employment is likely so to do.

This.

It's good experience, a bit of extra 'pocket money' and in 6 -12 months the skills & experienced he's gained will give him an advantage if her wants to apply for something that pays better.

All part of the learning curve of growing up.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 18/01/2015 10:20

Ds2-17 works part time on that wage.

He's a saver and has managed to buy his own computer set up, it cost him close to £1,000 and we couldn't afford to buy it for him.

It is exploitative money I agree but we wouldn't have told him not to get a job because of the crap money.

PastPerfect · 18/01/2015 10:22

It's the only way to level the playing field so that 16 year olds will even be offered a job.

If I was employing someone and had the choice between a 16 year old and someone a little older I'd take maturity every time