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.

Helicopter parenting at its worse!

But I'd be livid about the post. If it can't be removed if answer once saying you're not getting into an argument but setting the situation straight.

Then state your case and not return to the post.

Wanting you to hire someone you've not met is crazy.

Hmm. Difficult choice.

A motivated 13yo who shows initiative to go on govt website to find work regulations and challenges you so they can be taken on.

A 17yo that doesn't show up. (With PITA parent)

No brainer. That 13yo will be running the shop by the time he's 15, will have bought you out by the time he's 18, and he'll be franchising it by 21.

YANBU did she explain why her 17 year old didn't come in in to see you?

The only error you’ve made in my mind is telling the 17 year olds parent that you would consider them in future. I would never employ someone whose parent came in to speak to me twice but couldn’t be arsed to come in themselves

I agree with PP - I bet the 17 year old doesn't want the job. It's also possible the 17 year old lied to their mother about going into the shop and speaking to OP.

None of which excuses the mother's shitty behaviour, of course...

I think you dodged a bullet with the 17 year old it sounds like parent would have been hard work if child was employed

I think most people will read the FB post and roll their eyes. Particularly if they included the idea that the job somehow belonged to the 17 year old before you even met them! But you could post a polite clarification and then leave it and not engage further.

I have experience of parents trying to get jobs for their children. If the kids won't contact me themselves then why should I give them the post? It's a basic life lesson.

The 17 year old couldn’t be arsed to come in. The 13 year old showed a bit of initiative. Definitely the right choice!

Yeah, I’m not sure why the 17yo mother came in either. How embarrassing is that? Can’t fend for themselves and they’re nearly an adult.
17yo couldn’t be bothered and would probably be unreliable. My fingers would be itching to reply on fb.

of course yanbu -who th8inks they should get a job based on their parents going in twice

No don't get into a public slanging match. Say as little as possible.

Do you employ people?

yes!

🤣 there's always one . . . they are employing a 13 year old. That's what minimum wage is for!

Parent is an entitled dickhead.
YANBU and have done nothing wrong.

YANBU and that 13 year old sounds very switched on. I hope they do well, they seem like a real go getter, I can't imagine having done that myself at 13 after being knocked back. Good on them.

17 year old sounds like they are being pushed by Mummy but don't want to actually do anything themselves, nobody wants those types working for them.

No it's not. Minimum wage is to make sure people aren't totally exploited and isn't even a living wage. Minimum wage for a 13 year old is an insult. So hopefully OP pays above minimum wage like any decent employer. But that's nothing to do with us or the issue at hand.

Honestly I think you’ve dodged a bullet there! Hope your new employee works out well.

I don't understand why people are bashing the 17 year old. There is no evidence they a) even exist or b) even wanted the job!

Yanbu unless there was a closing date. You can’t apply for a job through a third party.

Do you know how much min wage is for a 13 year old? Really fucking hope you’re not employing people with that stingy attitude. Embarrassing