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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think if you are that short of staff you should employ 15year olds?

261 replies

SunsetandCupcakes · 17/07/2021 18:19

I'm not that old, still old but in the v late 90s I had a job in the kitchens, my brother had a job selling ice creams at 14.
Catering near me is struggling to fill vacancies, it's the summer in a holiday town, two kiosks have had to close as no staff and yet my 15 year old isn't allowed to work.
How can working be more detrimental than sat at home on the PS4, we've ended up with a funny view on teenagers

OP posts:
Peoniesandpeaches · 17/07/2021 20:14

@Frankley

I started work at a NHS hospital a fortnight before my 16th birthday. The pay scale didn't start till age 16 and l remember my mother saying it was a bit mean that l was paid less that fortnight. I attended classes at another hospital on Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings. Gained qualifications that now require a University degree and worked for the NHS for 50 years. In past years we were considered to be sensible and soon learnt to take responsibility for what we were required to do. Surely young people have not changed that much?
It’s perhaps less that children have changed so much as the crap we will allow/expect them to put up with has. I started working as a waitress from the age of 14 and it was far from the idyll some people here say their jobs were. I was paid £2 an hour (in the early 2000s) and had my tips stolen from me by the adults. They had no consideration for my studies and I was often forced to work until 10 on a weeknight with no breaks and was regularly groped and harassed by drunk patrons. It’s probably stories like this that have inspired legislation.
Kanaloa · 17/07/2021 20:15

He can’t babysit as he’s a boy? I’m sure a lot of families would hire a boy as a babysitter, especially if they have boys themselves and your son is as competent as you say. DH nephew used to babysit my ds who’s 7 for an afternoon here and there, take him to the park and cafe. He’s gone off to uni now leaving us in the lurch!

Where do you live that a boy can’t be a babysitter?

welshladywhois40 · 17/07/2021 20:15

@HaveANiceFuckingDay

I know a15 year old that works in a chip shop they pay here £2.50 an hour as there isn’t a pay bracket under 16;
Wow - times haven't changed much. At 15 I worked in a fish and chip shop and was paid £1.60 - 25 years ago!
user27424799642256 · 17/07/2021 20:16

@SunsetandCupcakes

I do expect him to contribute to the household, he studies hard and helps around the house . The PS 4 comment was more of a throwaway, he is much more competent than I was at 15 but the new rules don't give him a chance. As for babysitting he is a boy, life here is not progressive
A few minutes ago you were moaning that progress is stopping your 15yo boy from being sent off to die in a trench.

I'd say the new rules give him lots of chances.

Original poster
SunsetandCupcakes · 17/07/2021 20:16

[quote Bargebill19]@SunsetandCupcakes cos that’s the law. Might be based on them getting to school the next day or the negative effects of night shifts.[/quote]
But its the hols

I don't want him to work roar he wants to work because unlike the majority of his friends and those on MN I can't afford to Payroll his social life. His options are work and join his friends or no work and stay at home. I can not magic money

OP posts:
aldkj · 17/07/2021 20:17

Universities use factors like paid work to differentiate between candidates when they are all predicted top grades.
It was a bit unfair when there weren't many jobs for older teens and they tended to go to contacts of family/friends.
Maybe this labour shortage will enable some levelling up, and hopefully graduates won't be as green as employers currently complain that they are.

TotorosCatBus · 17/07/2021 20:17

But why? The 15 year old I know are nocturnal, much rather work late than get up early

15 year olds who work are probably not going to be picked up and shouldn't be traveling home late at night- especially when public transport might have ended for the night.

Also they need to be up n the morning for school, their real job.

Original poster
SunsetandCupcakes · 17/07/2021 20:18

You can all be as progressive as you like but a 15year old boy advertising to babysit does not get enquiries.

OP posts:
GreyhoundG1rl · 17/07/2021 20:18

Expecting a 15 year old to contribute to the household is awful.

Ragwort · 17/07/2021 20:19

Of course he can babysit or do 'ad hoc' childcare - helping in the home (assuming a parent is around), or what about dog walking? Car washing? Gardening? Mowing lawns? My DS did car washing at the beginning of the pandemic as there were so few part time jobs around.

Ragwort · 17/07/2021 20:19

Do you not have any personal contacts for babysitting or similar?

Original poster
SunsetandCupcakes · 17/07/2021 20:19

@TotorosCatBus

But why? The 15 year old I know are nocturnal, much rather work late than get up early

15 year olds who work are probably not going to be picked up and shouldn't be traveling home late at night- especially when public transport might have ended for the night.

Also they need to be up n the morning for school, their real job.

It's the summer, I could collect, 20 years ago we all managed.
OP posts:
Bargebill19 · 17/07/2021 20:20

@SunsetandCupcakes. Hmm laws are laws and just aren’t that flexible. The effects of late and night working don’t just disappear overnight when they go to school.
Late and night shift work is largely unsuitable for anyone under 18.

Original poster
SunsetandCupcakes · 17/07/2021 20:20

@Ragwort

Do you not have any personal contacts for babysitting or similar?
No, I don't know any small people
OP posts:
Original poster
SunsetandCupcakes · 17/07/2021 20:22

@GreyhoundG1rl

Expecting a 15 year old to contribute to the household is awful.
Ffs I don't expect them to contribute to the household but I can't afford to fund their social life. I wish I could, I pay for all their needs but I can't pay for their wants.
OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 17/07/2021 20:22

20 years ago we all managed

Why are you comparing things to 20 years ago?

aldkj · 17/07/2021 20:23

OP: there is a website specifically for teens to offer their skills, can't remember the name, but you could google it.
Local kids I know worked at bowls green when 14+. And local pool did have some 15 year olds working.
I think the main restrictions are on the hours worked.
Dog walking is problematic because you might need insurance.
Your DS could advertise for babysitting on local parents' facebook. Now it is the holidays, parents might need older teen to hang out with their school-age DC during the day or collect from activities etc.

Original poster
SunsetandCupcakes · 17/07/2021 20:23

Interestingly 60% think I'm NBU.

OP posts:
Bargebill19 · 17/07/2021 20:23

What about if he offered his services on Facebook rather than asking for work. Switch it around and get him to post what he can do and what he’s interested in.
Eg. Can wash and clean a car, so light gardening. Enjoys cleaning /cooking/ etc.
A positive post might make him stand out from the rest.

GreyhoundG1rl · 17/07/2021 20:25

I do expect him to contribute to the household, he studies hard and helps around the house
I misinterpreted this, sorry op.

Original poster
SunsetandCupcakes · 17/07/2021 20:26

@Sparklingbrook

20 years ago we all managed

Why are you comparing things to 20 years ago?

Because I don't believe that today's teenagers are completely incapable. I believe the infantilisation of today's youth is due to the privilege of the monied classes.
OP posts:
TotorosCatBus · 17/07/2021 20:27

@SunsetandCupcakes

Interestingly 60% think I'm NBU.
I have a son the same age and he'd be really good too tbh but I have older kids who have part-time jobs which is why I knew you were unreasonable to expect hospitality to hire your son when the rules for 15 and 16 year olds are very different.
TotorosCatBus · 17/07/2021 20:28

@Bargebill19

What about if he offered his services on Facebook rather than asking for work. Switch it around and get him to post what he can do and what he’s interested in. Eg. Can wash and clean a car, so light gardening. Enjoys cleaning /cooking/ etc. A positive post might make him stand out from the rest.
^^ I see teenagers of all ages offering dog walking on FB.
Original poster
SunsetandCupcakes · 17/07/2021 20:30

@GreyhoundG1rl

I do expect him to contribute to the household, he studies hard and helps around the house I misinterpreted this, sorry op.
No worries ,I wasn't clear. He helps as part of the family, he has always had jobs fitting to his age, he doesn't go without but equally I can't pay what I don't have. He know that by helping around the house it frees money to be spent elsewhere, I wish I could give him what others taken for granted, but I'm not the only parent in this position.
OP posts:
roarrlikeadinosaur · 17/07/2021 20:31

To be fair to the OP there is no way that anyone I know would let a 15 year old, boy or girl, babysit.

I was asking genuinely though OP. I get that it’s difficult if you’re short of funds but I think I’d be looking to increase my hours rather than ask my teen to do it. I get that’s easier said than done though.