To have given the other kid the job?

[ShopOfAllTrades]

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.

The last 16yo I employed, in a customer facing role, told me her social anxiety prevented her from talking to customers. She genuinely thought I would craft a new role for her away from those pesky customers who paid her wages. I didn't.

The one child who wrote me a stellar application and CV, for whom we didn't have a position at the time, I wrote her a letter back commending her and then dropped her school a line to say thank you for doing such a good job of getting her ready for the workplace.

Wow, talk about entitlement!

My DH spotted a job ad in a local restaurant and let DD (then 16, now 17) know about it. She was nervous, but she went in with her CV and ended up getting the job. She still works there and loves it, takes it v. seriously.

If they can't take the initiative at 17, it doesn't bode well. Whereas your 13-year-old new employee sounds great!

@ShopOfAllTrades reply on the FB post that if her DC pulls their finger out of their arse in future then they may be more successful in securing jobs. She may want to run around for them but it doesn’t mean everyone else has to. Also what does it say about their work ethic if they can’t even bother to get to your shop for the job offer. I’d take the 13 year old any day of the week

Very impressed with the 13 yo!

I wouldn’t be impressed by a seventeen year old whose mum applies for jobs for them tbh.

Hopefully the 17 year old will learn through this that they need to make a bit of an effort if they want a job. Although I don't suppose they did want a job!

I think you dodged a bullet OP!

Don’t reply to the specific post, but assuming that it’s on a local business/ community page, post something about your store and how pleased you are to welcome 2 new members of staff, introduce them, encourage people to come and say hello and make them feel welcome. Point out how impressed you are with them both, with their tenacity, work ethic and commitment. Even mention that how impressed you are that a young person went to the trouble of finding out employment law (post a link) in order to secure the position and that having looked into it, you couldn’t in all conscience turn them away, because you know that with that drive they will go far in life, and will be a real asset to your business,

Parent is definitely unreasonable. I doubt the 17yr old even wants the job.

‘vipers’ 🥱🙄

Haha brilliant.

17 and had to get a parent to go in and ask for a job then a no show. Even if the quite honestly smart and determined 13 year old hadn’t come in I still wouldn’t be giving the job to that 17 year old. I’d also politely state all
of these facts on that Facebook post.

I employ a LOT of teenagers. I always say from the outset that I will not discuss ANYTHING at any time with parents. They have to contact me themselves in the first instance and throughout the employment. Any negotiating with parents is a road to ruin in my 27 years experience.

I have a 17 year old and have showed him ads, found suitable roles and asked him to apply, collected forms etc and staved him of cash in a bid to get him employment - however I would never cross the line to insist he’s employed when he’s done feck all to help himself! AND and forcefulness from me will mean he won’t make any effort to be there!

I agree with you. You’ve done nothing wrong.

You’re definitely not unreasonable and the parent must be as mad as a bag of frogs!

You’ve done the right thing, 13yo sounds fab!

My DD did the same when she applied for her job, went in armed with the info that they could legally employ her at her age, they were very impressed and she got hired immediately.

She’s been there nearly 2 years now and absolutely loves it, whenever I pop in they always tell me how much they love her and she has more responsibilities and qualifications than all the older juniors.

I’d be tempted to respond to the Facebook post but probably not a good idea.

If your business has a page then I would probably make a post like PP suggested, all applicants who came in store were carefully considered and you are very pleased the positions have now been filled in line with employment laws etc.

OP you have not put a foot wrong here.

LOL at the 17 yo not actually even showing up the second time!

You are not being unreasonable

If it's a moany Facebook post; simply don't reply and let it hang in the air as the bad fart it is. You'll attract much better pubilcity that way - I speak from experience (10+ years of being 'canceled')- you don't need to justify your recruitment choices to anyone.

This! Nearly 2 weeks passed and they didn’t come in. Did the parent think you should have saved the job until their child could be bothered to come and see you? The 17 yo might not even want the job!

You've made an excellent choice with the 13 year old.

Just from the point of view of an employer - please ensure we're told about SEND at a very early stage in the process!

That way I
a) know what to expect
b) can judge them against a slightly different standard; a neurotypical young person with mum involved is likely to get short shrift whereas one with a known learning disability will be met with far more understanding from me.
c) can start them off in a position where they will gain confidence, not one where they will crash and burn - for instance, an autistic young person who struggles with communication might be better off on potwash than on the front counter serving customers. If they show some willing and aptitude then we can work up to them doing front counter work, starting at quieter times.

I'm absolutely open to employing non-neurotypical people but I do like to be told during the recruitment process so that I can make reasonable adjustments!

[As an aside, as an employer, I think there's a lot to be said for the Australian Supported Wage System for people with disabilities; at present, there's no incentive whatsoever to take on a disabled employee who might work at 75% of the rate required when I could employ someone else who would work at 100% of the rate required for the same money. I'm sure this will be controversial in some quarters but the disability employment rates in Australia are far higher]

Well if anyone in the area has another job l am sure they will be delighted to hire her ds knowing she will post about them on social media if any issue arises..not!!! This is the equivalent to giving her son a poor reference. As the apple rarely falls ar from the tree you have made a lucky escape.
Good luck with your new employees.

This 24 year old will end up on dragons den or something sounds a great little worker!

YANBU!! That 13 year old sounds amazing!! You've probably got a great worker there....