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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

So angry

36 replies

Lovelycupofcoffee · 06/06/2023 06:39

So my teenage son started a job in a local pub until he goes to uni in September. First month he was paid late and this month paid late again and only half of his wages . My first instinct was to go down to the pub and ask for his wages . Then the sensible part of me kicked in and realised he’s 19 and needs to fight his own battles. I’ve told him to leave and get another job as he’s unlikely to get paid properly for anymore shifts . Do I just need to accept he won’t get paid and move on ?

OP posts:
KvotheTheBloodless · 06/06/2023 08:38

I had similar aged about 17 or 18 - my dad sorted it out for me, I got paid in full! I think he wrote to the MD and faxed it to his home address (this was back in the day when faxes were a thing!).

maddening · 06/06/2023 08:44

Yes he does need to learn to fight his own battles but there is nothing wrong with getting back up and help from someone who understands the world of employment- if you had a trickier Work situation you might seek advice and back up from more knowledgeable professionals so I don't see how you supporting your son is any different imo.

Aprilx · 06/06/2023 08:49

Lovelycupofcoffee · 06/06/2023 07:31

So it’s sound very informal and no contract as it’s only until uni in September. But he should still get paid 😠

There is a contract, that was formed when they offered him a job and he accepted it. And it is irrelevant that it is only until he goes to university in September. Was the £300 he was paid properly paid through a payroll system and hence declared to HMRC?

AmandaHoldensLips · 06/06/2023 08:50

Social media can be very powerful. Maybe your son could shame them unto paying up.

rwalker · 06/06/2023 08:51

have u asked what the cut off date is for shifts
there was lots of BH in may so would imagine cut off was quite early
Ours was 17th of may last month anything worked after that we won’t get till end of June

Gingergirl70 · 06/06/2023 08:58

You're being very vague about how your DS was paid, OP, whether it is a chain or independent establishment or who he had escalated the issue with and what's been said in reply. If DS cannot sort this out himself and wants you to intervene on his behalf, then that's fine. But please don't if he's asked you not to interfere.

BarbaraofSeville · 06/06/2023 09:11

Aprilx · 06/06/2023 08:49

There is a contract, that was formed when they offered him a job and he accepted it. And it is irrelevant that it is only until he goes to university in September. Was the £300 he was paid properly paid through a payroll system and hence declared to HMRC?

Show quote history

This.

Is there someone else he can work? Just about every pub and restaurant out there has a 'staff wanted' notice in the window, so perhaps he should try somewhere else that is more professionally run. Make sure he knows he's also entitled to paid holidays while he's employed there. It will only be a few days if he's only there over the summer, but the entitlement is still there. Just because there's no written contract doesn't mean he doesn't have statutory rights. As his introduction into the world of work is likely to coincide with difficult economic times, he needs to make himself aware of these.

https://www.acas.org.uk/advice

I understand that it is hard for the industry at the moment, but it's not up to your DS to work for free/less than agreed, and it sounds like it might be only a matter of time before this one goes bust again and he'll lose the wages he's owed.

Work and employment law advice | Acas

Free advice on employment law, HR processes and good practice at work. For employees and employers in England, Scotland and Wales.

https://www.acas.org.uk/advice

2bazookas · 06/06/2023 09:16

No, don't give up.
Help your son rehearse a script at home, how he is going to speak to manager and insist that he is paid up to date in full.
The script should be polite, calm, firm and assertive. Professional; so no raised voice, cheek, swearing, personal insults.

Start with " Mr Smith, I need to have a word in private. No, right away please; it won't take long but it's important.

This won't be the first time your son faces problems in the workplace; learning to deal with them himself is an essential life skill.

My mother did this for me (younger!) and her advice worked , very empowering and a huge boost to my self confidence, especially as I was a teen girl. physically very small, managing awkward situations at work with middle aged experienced adults.
I kept all the jobs, btw. On my terms.

Original poster
Lovelycupofcoffee · 11/06/2023 14:28

So very quick update . He has now been paid . Someone put a post on their Facebook page must have been one of his mates and strangely he was paid shortly after this .

OP posts:
Ahsoka2001 · 11/06/2023 15:41

SunnySaturdayMorning · 06/06/2023 07:09

You need to back off and let him handle it.

The employer has no obligation to talk to you at all and would be well within their rights to tell you to fuck off because you’re not their employee, he is. They shouldn’t disclose anything to you.

No obligation to talk to OP but they do most definitely have an obligation to pay him. I think what they're doing is way worse than OP going down there

Ahsoka2001 · 11/06/2023 15:58

Lovelycupofcoffee · 11/06/2023 14:28

So very quick update . He has now been paid . Someone put a post on their Facebook page must have been one of his mates and strangely he was paid shortly after this .

I'd put "strangely" in quotes OP cause it seems that post must've scared your son's employers into...ya know...giving him what he's rightfully owed. Glad it's sorted now though

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