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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To have given the other kid the job?

121 replies

ShopOfAllTrades · 07/09/2022 21:41

TLDR: IABU should have waited for 17 year old student to come in
IANBU fine to give job to 13 year old who did

My family own what is increasingly normal in a rural area, a post office/shop/mixed take away/delivery hub (I've NC as this is outing if parent is on here, obviously I'm hopeful they are and that you all say IANBU and then we can just pretend this hasn't happened)

We have been looking for staff, ideally those in sixth form, but anyone who can do part time odd hours. Two positions advertised two weeks ago.

On the first day a parent came in and asked about the position, I explained and they said it would be perfect for their 17year old. I told them to send 17year old in and I would have a chat.

17 year old hasn't come into chat with me, one job has been taken by a retiree who is perfect for what I want.

On Monday a 13 year came in after getting off school bus and asked about the job. I said sorry but 13 is too young and I wasn't allowed to employ a 13year old.
Tuesday 13 year old comes back in with a gov print out on what 13 year olds are allowed to do, is very polite and says they can do these hours according to the government if I get a work permit. I take parents number.

I speak to my insurance and the parent and this is legal and will work so today they come in, I show them what they will be doing and remove the advert from the window.

Parent of 17 year old comes in and asks about the job vacancy, I say both have been filled but if 17 year old comes in I will take details and contact them if either don't work out. Cue parent shouting and yelling at me at how the job should be their child's. They then find out the position has gone to a 13 year old (village nothing is unknown for long) and then goes on a fb rant about child labour, snubbing their child etc.

I haven't replied to FB post hoping that those that know us will know we wouldn't do that. I'm confident I'm not unreasonable but the fb post has unsettled me so thought I'd ask you vipers what you think.

Obviously this is my viewpoint, I guess the parent feels differently but the fact is the 17 year old hasn't been in to see me.

OP posts:

Original poster

ShopOfAllTrades · 07/09/2022 21:41

Sorry that was longer than I intended

OP posts:

Tierne · 07/09/2022 21:43

Wow. This 13 year old sounds impressive. YANBU

RedHelenB · 07/09/2022 21:45

You've done nothing wrong. Yanbu.

Lavendersummer · 07/09/2022 21:46

The parent is being unreasonable here. You have a vacancy or two. It’s first come first served. The 13 year old sounds very motivated and self starting.

edwinbear · 07/09/2022 21:47

YANBU. 13yr old really wants the job, 17yr old does not. Despite 17yr olds parents wanting them to want a job.

KateBushyTail · 07/09/2022 21:47

What a mature and capable 13 year old. You’ve got yourself a good one there

Lola3034 · 07/09/2022 21:48

If I were you, I would have do e the same. I was in charge of recruitment many times in the past and would take in an eager 13yo who is has shown that level of determination over 17yo, whose parents want to send to work, who didn't even bother to turn up 💯

Leeds2 · 07/09/2022 21:49

I wouldn't employ anyone whose parent came in to enquire about a job on their behalf.

Bollocks989 · 07/09/2022 21:49

I really hate it when people use Facebook to slag someone else off. It feels like public bullying. I wouldn't employ or associate with anyone who did that.

nachoavocado · 07/09/2022 21:49

13 year old sounds really impressive already! 17 year old doesn't want the job and it embarrassing the way their parent is acting.

Frequency · 07/09/2022 21:50

That 13yo is going to go far in life and is clearly much more enthusiastic about the role than the 17yo who never actually bothered to turn up.

Hawkins001 · 07/09/2022 21:50

Why did the 17 not show ? It's one thing the parent advocating but then they also have to make the effort

Toddlerteaplease · 07/09/2022 21:50

Snooze you loose.

JustLyra · 07/09/2022 21:50

You’ve done nothing wrong.

If they’ve named you on Facebook I’d reply to the post saying that you gave consideration to every applicant who came in to see you.

SavingsThreads · 07/09/2022 21:51

I agree. Reply and say you would have happily considered their child....had they applied for the role!

Castaspell · 07/09/2022 21:52

I recruit staff for the small business where I work, and we typically have 1-2 teens working for us part time. I would have hired the 13 yo too, they sound great! Would not even have considered the 17 yo until they turned up themselves. Almost 2 weeks after the ad is also not showing much initiative is it?

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 07/09/2022 21:52

Leeds2 · 07/09/2022 21:49

I wouldn't employ anyone whose parent came in to enquire about a job on their behalf.

Me neither

LegoFiends · 07/09/2022 21:53

If you or your business is named can you report the post?

daretodenim · 07/09/2022 21:56

Well you've got a great kid in the 13-year old and a lucky miss with the 17 year old..and their parent! Because guaranteed within the first few weeks of having the job you'd have had a call from the parent saying Johnny is ill and can't come in today. And then on repeat. And any mention of being reliable or responsible would have been met with the parent's anger.

So congratulations on your new hire and dodging a bullet!

Winniewonka · 07/09/2022 21:58

I don't do FB but if someone was publicly having an uncalled for rant about me or my business, I would definitely set the record straight. Quote employment rights regarding 13 year-old and say their 17 had two weeks to come in for a chat as asked. Despite assuming that they weren't interested, you did offer to consider them as a reserve candidate. Otherwise, people may start to boycott your store.

VictoriaConcordiaCrescit · 07/09/2022 21:59

You've done what I would have done

The 17 year old didn't turn up, that doesn't bode well and gives you a glimpse as to who you would be employing

13 year old can legally be employed from what you've told us and sounds like a much better candidate too

I would reply to the Facebook post and state the facts from what you were shown, Gov.uk?

17 year old's family sound charming!

Original poster

ShopOfAllTrades · 07/09/2022 21:59

Leeds2 · 07/09/2022 21:49

I wouldn't employ anyone whose parent came in to enquire about a job on their behalf.

I don't mind parents asking for details but I do expect the child to come in alone and speak to me.
Normally I don't then speak to the parent again and only deal with the employee, I think if parent was then involved I would be concerned

OP posts:

Ratbagcatbag · 07/09/2022 21:59

Love that you took on board what the 13yo said and took them on. They will absolutely go far and you could have a very solid reliable employee there. What a self starter.

I'd simply reply on FB what someone said upthread.

"I considered every applicant that came into see me. All positions have been filled in line with legal requirements".

You really will have made a huge difference to that 13YO. The 17YO isn't interested. Their parents want them to be.

Original poster

ShopOfAllTrades · 07/09/2022 22:01

Winniewonka · 07/09/2022 21:58

I have reported (thanks pp that was a good idea) just never feel that posting back really gets the message across quite how I'd want. But I might have to say something, it has been quite a brutal post but so far comments are ok.

OP posts:

LaurieFairyCake · 07/09/2022 22:01

I would post:

"Unfortunately your 17 year old didn't come in after you enquired about the job two weeks ago"

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