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AIBU?

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Original poster

Would my dd be wrong to go to this job interview?

30 replies

Pinkginandlemonadeissoyummmy · 12/10/2020 22:22

She's 16. Just got her first ever part time job in a takeaway last week. Going ok but minimum wage and long hard hours (sometimes 7hr shifts from late afternoon to 10pm) She handed out her cv in the area and a few days ago a local restaurant invited her for an interview. From a selfish point of view I think she should go and see what, if anything, they offer and see which job will be the best. But on the other hand feel guilty for the restaurant as it could well be a waste of their time. Feel equally guilty if job no 2 does come off for the takeaway place too if dd leaves after a week! Dd is confused and not sure what to do for the best so I thought outsiders opinions might be helpful. Should she be grateful for the job she has or keep looking for 'more'?

OP posts:
Notthetoothfairy · 12/10/2020 22:25

I think she should see what they have to offer at the restaurant.

jomaIone · 12/10/2020 22:28

Absolutely no harm in going to see what lay of the land is!

AbsentmindedWoman · 12/10/2020 22:28

Encourage her to go to the interview.

The takeaway wouldn't hesitate to get rid of her if it didn't suit them. None of these jobs are giving much thought to their low paid workers and their wellbeing.

Your daughter should put herself first, and not suffer from misplaced guilt!

daisypond · 12/10/2020 22:29

She should go to the interview.

HowFastIsTooFast · 12/10/2020 22:31

I think your overthinking it OP. If she's not really enjoying the takeaway then she should go to the restaurant interview and see if that will be a better option; even if it's still minimum wage she might get a cut of a tips to boost that. Depending what she's doing at the takeaway I suppose that's less likely?

Lots of people are out of work at the moment. I'm sure either could fill the position easily regardless of what she decides.

readsalotgirl63 · 12/10/2020 22:31

No harm in going for the interview - she could always say at interview that she would have to give a weeks notice to the takeaway place.

The only concern I'd have is that the restaurant might have to close while the takeaway is possibly more likely to remain open if restrictions are increased.

I don't think you or your dd should feel guilty about going for an interview. Interview experience is always useful especially at that age and they might not offer her anything or she might not like what they offer. It's always a good idea to remember that an interview is a 2 way process.

If they do offer her a job as long as she gives notice to the takeaway she won't be thought badly of. Good luck

OudRose · 12/10/2020 22:32

Always investigate all opportunities! I'm sure the takeaway would get over it! She's hardly wasting the restaurants time; going on an interview is also your chance to see if you want to work somewhere.

Ithoughthiswasit · 12/10/2020 22:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

katy1213 · 12/10/2020 22:37

Don't feel guilty about any employer who pays minimum wages. They're certainly not feeling guilty themselves.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 12/10/2020 22:42

Restaurant more likely to close, but might pay more with tips?

elenacampana · 12/10/2020 22:46

Interview! She doesn’t owe either of them anything and it’s a good lesson for entry to the workplace.

I would say that the takeaway would be more likely to stay continuously open while restaurants may close on and off for a few months.

Make sure your daughter is considering herself first and foremost on this. She doesn’t have to consider fairness when she’s job hunting.

BackforGood · 12/10/2020 22:49

Your daughter should put herself first, and not suffer from misplaced guilt!

This ^

I don't think she owes the takeaway anything. I don't think they are particularly concerned about her welfare, and sadly, in today's climate, I suspect they will be able to fill the position pretty quickly if she does leave.
OTOH, I don't know where you live, and what 'Tier' you are currently in, but in terms of getting 'enough' work, restaurants are limited in terms of who can eat out, when, etc., so the takeaway might be a better prospect,although better chance of tips at a restaurant.

MJMG2015 · 12/10/2020 22:54

Always go to the interview & check out your choices.

I agree with the others though, that a takeaway is more likely to remain open

She could possibly do both. Depending on days/hours.

SuzieCarmichael · 12/10/2020 22:55

What is wrong with 7 hour shifts?

GabsAlot · 12/10/2020 23:06

nothing wrong with going to an interview she doesnt owe anyone any loyalty

BackforGood · 12/10/2020 23:10

What is wrong with 7 hour shifts?

Well, nothing if that is your job. Different story though if it is supposed to be a 'part time job' after school

So, most 16 yr olds will already be out for 8 hours to get to school, be at school, come home before starting work. This is then looking like a 15 hour day. With homework to fit in elsewhere.
Perfectly do-able now and then, not so great if they want her to do lots of shifts. My dd occasionally used to do a 4 hour shift on a school day - it makes for a long day.
If it were one x a 7 hr shift on a Saturday or Sunday, then obviously that is a different kettle of fish altogether, but I don't think that is what a takeaway is usually looking for from their employees.

valtandsinegar · 12/10/2020 23:32

Both businesses are paying £4.50 per hour, your daughter owes them nothing.

Regularsizedrudy · 12/10/2020 23:34

Jesus of course she should go! She owes neither business anything. Don’t raise her to be such a doormat.

Coyoacan · 12/10/2020 23:44

My only concern would be if you live in a very small place and she could be burning her bridges.

Sally872 · 12/10/2020 23:49

Of course she should look for a different job if she doesn't like current job. Nothing to feel guilty about.

Frazzledme · 13/10/2020 00:03

I think she should stick at it, the takeaway is more likely to stay open through covid and restaurant hours are no better, if anything worse as they open at lunch time and even if door shut at 10 there can be an unimaginable amount of stuff to do behind the scenes cleaning and the like. Really fussy people at the moment too. At least with a takeaway no-one is sitting down, using the loos etc. Any job is good to know what you like about it and don't like but it should be a lesson for her to make her own decisions I think.

Original poster
Pinkginandlemonadeissoyummmy · 13/10/2020 06:23

Thank you for the answers. So interview it is! Should she tell them she already has a job then or not mention anything? She could say her college timetable is changing from next week you see. I wasn't sure if it would look bad if she says she will leave a current job after a week.
I had also thought of covid restrictions too. The restaurant will do deliveries but I'm not sure how busy it will get. I've never been but it's always seemed busy when walking past.
And to the pp who mentioned the shifts. This is after college not on a weekend. With her college timetable being very reduced at the moment she is free from 3pm every week day but she's still in college 9am some days. So shorter shifts would be better.

OP posts:
emilyfrost · 13/10/2020 08:19

Going ok but minimum wage and long hard hours (sometimes 7hr shifts from late afternoon to 10pm)

7 hours isn’t a “long hard shift”; it’s shorter than the average 8 hours. She will most likely find anywhere she wants to work will generally be 8 hours.

NC4Now · 13/10/2020 08:22

Go for the interview - neither job will be hard to fill for the employer. Tell them she’s working in the takeaway as they will want to know her experience.

HowFastIsTooFast · 14/10/2020 15:17

@emilyfrost

Going ok but minimum wage and long hard hours (sometimes 7hr shifts from late afternoon to 10pm)

7 hours isn’t a “long hard shift”; it’s shorter than the average 8 hours. She will most likely find anywhere she wants to work will generally be 8 hours.

7-8 hours is a long shift in bar or restaurant work in my experience. 5 hours for dinner service is more like it, maybe longer or a split shift on a weekend if it's the type of place that serves all day.