To contact dds work?

[Isadora2007]

Dd1 is 16. Still at school but recently got a waitressing job at local hotel. She has worked three shifts - well four if you count the first 6 hour "trial" shift for which she won't get paid (her staggering £3.80 an hour) for.
Anyway. Yesterday she came home from a 2-8pm shift at 8.45 (ten minute walk home) knackered and a bit tearful. She hadn't had a break and hadn't felt able to ask as "no one else had a break".
Aibu to call her work and ask about breaks? She thinks they will sack her if I do. I think they're breaking the law as I believe 16-18 yr olds are required to have a half hour break every 4.5 hours of work.
Help... I'm really not usually an interfering mum but my mama bear instincts are kicking in as I think it's so wrong to pay crap wages and take advantage of young workers like this. (But I realise I may be overreacting)

Poor girl .she does need to try to girl up and ask about breaks, can she join forces with another worker and approach the manager together.

However, in my opinion there is nothing better for determination to succeed as having experienced a tough low paid job at an early age. I remember throwing up outside the canning factory the first day we canned carrots, being fed up of aching legs in the waitressing job and being amazed at the dirty habits of people staying in the posh hotel where I was working as a cleaner. The thought of doing those jobs for the next 40 years is a big incentive to work hard and get qualifications and realising that some people have far fewer options than you do is an eye opener into other people's lives.

The laws about young people & working are there to protect them. They are different to normal working regulations some of which can be over-ridden In certain circumstances.

If the OP is in Scotland her dd cannot work for more than 4 and a half hours without a 30 min break. If she is under school leaving age she can't work for more than 4 hours without an hour break. That is the law.

Eliza. Yes we are in Scotland. But how do you suggest we go about that business upholding their side of the law?

And m comment re her "hangover" was that she had been out at a party. Yes had alcohol. But then lack of sleep plus day after alcohol = hangover rather than puking and alcohol poisoning type of hangover. I buy her alcohol as we have an agreed amount She is allowed so I'm happy with that. She is at friends houses for parties so she is as safe as a 16 yr old can be whilst still having fun times.

But how do you suggest we go about that business upholding their side of the law?. ASK!!!

It's not rocket science. You don't have to talk about them upholding the law as if it's an issue when she hasn't even mentioned it to them. It could have been a bloody oversight on a busy shift for all you know ATM.

Sounds great. But the day before she had to go to work, OP?

As a parent & someone who has employed 16 year olds I would absolutely support her & intervene if necessary to get the breaks.

As a parent & someone who has employed 16 year olds I would absolutely support her & intervene if necessary to get the breaks. don't get me wrong, I wouldn't let anyone take the piss out of my 16yo either but I do think it's an over reacting at the first problem. Break was missed, it could have been an oversight, it could have been a pisstake, but it's Bette to teach our teens to be able to simply ASK about things at work before we go jumping in all guns blaxing

They're breaking the law. Personally I would be mortified if my mum contacted my work, but would say after say 4.5 hours 'shall I take my break now so that I'm not taking it right at the end of the day?' - a subtle hint to employers. As a one off personally I would accept it but not all the time. If no breaks come, speak to head office. If there is no head office/similiar then is there a union? If not then at your daughters age I'd be handing in my notice in the new year and job hunting. At that age it's unlikely she really needs to work, she doesn't need to work in conditions which are basically slave labour and against her rights. She definitely doesn't need to put up with it. Don't let her be a martyr, and don't listen to the posters saying 'I worked 22 hours a day with no break when I was 16 and I had to cope' - there is no reward for being a walkover or a martyr and it's a good lesson for her to learn now. The 'business' needs are nowhere near as important as her own needs.

I think op should have a look at the contract... first to check for hours and days second for break times- which, in my understanding often is unpaid. So is her shift 6 or 6.5 hours?

Once you have clarified, give your dd the necessary talk and back up so she can raise the issue with her manager.

For those that are saying she should just put up with it/that's how it is in catering/i had to do it/it's too difficult for them to arrange breaks etc, are missing the point that it is the law. It is not optional.
As a business you do not get to pick and choose what legislation you comply with - well you can but there is a price to pay when you get caught not complying with the ones that you should.

It's not much different to them saying some aspects of food hygiene or workplace health and safety or financial reporting legislation are too much trouble for them to comply with.

If she gets nowhere asking for her breaks (and I think she should do it herself) then don't be shy in reporting them to the relevant authority.

She is Due to be paid Friday so I will see what they are doing pay wise as the amount she has been told is below national minimum wage

For those that are saying she should just put up with it/that's how it is in catering/i had to do it/it's too difficult for them to arrange breaks etc, are missing the point that it is the law. It is not optional.

In the real world, there are many ways round most of these things. And you can be sure they've had good legal advice and it has all been covered in their contracts.

Ultimately, you have very few rights when on a probation period. It's very easy to get rid of people then.

Lovelearning: "Unions fight battles on behalf of their members.
Should Union members learn to fight their own battles?"

I hope you teach your dc's sit back and relax and just let the union (or manager, or husband, or teacher, or MIL, or whatnot) fight dc's fights. Excellent advice from mom.

Dd16 has been waitressing for over a year now. Worked her way up from bus girl to phone girl to full waitress. I would never dream of calling her employer to complain! She has a mouth, she can speak up for herself.

I know she doesn't get formal breaks, but there are always slower times during her shifts when she can use the restroom and check her phone. I think her job has been invaluable for her. She's learned what it takes to hold a job, how to deal with difficult customers, how to get bigger tips, and how to advocate for herself so that she can get shifts and jobs that pays the most for her very limited time.