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16 year old staff treatment

25 replies

Mrsbunnychops · 11/06/2025 15:01

16 year old employee treatment questions - is this okay ?

My 16 year old daughter responded to an advert at a local restaurant a few weeks ago and had a brief chat with the owner where she was told it was a very difficult job and that she is not allowed to be unwell, if she is, she is still expected to turn up. Apparently no one has ever been unwell in the X years they’ve been there. The interview ended without her being asked a single question, no form to fill in or even asked her full name or age…

She has been added to a group chat for rotas and the owner only ever messages her via facebook so still doesn’t know her full name which gets confusing as my daughter’s facebook is not her actual name! Plus no one has asked her age or DOB?

This is a total contrast to my son, who had a similar job aged 16 and whose employer was a lot more professional and transparent.

I get it, they are sick of flakey teens etc…. And expect they are heavy handed with the threats to stop this but she has also issued other threats such as ‘to take anyone off the group’ who can’t work a certain day, like Good Friday etc. ignores messages from her etc..

so my question is? Is it okay to have 16 year olds working that you don’t even know the full name or age of? Health and safety??! Or am I being OTT?

I don’t like their threatening behaviour tbh and erratic and non-transparency about some other things so I told my daughter to consider keeping her eyes open for somewhere where they treat her a bit better! It’s got me wondering whether this happens a lot though? Does this sound dodgy? I’ve never employed staff apart via NHS where they are all over HR policies etc 😂

OP posts:
Bavariamaria · 11/06/2025 15:02

This is crazy. Who does the payroll? Is it cash in hand? Run a mile.

Swiftie1878 · 11/06/2025 15:03

Wouldn’t have my child working there for a £1m!!

FOJN · 11/06/2025 15:03

Sounds like a rubbish employer. I would encourage your daughter to look for work elsewhere.

DancingDangerously · 11/06/2025 15:03

Not worth it.

Mrsbunnychops · 11/06/2025 15:07

Thanks, that was my instinct but I am a stickler for a policy so thought I might be out of touch!!

OP posts:
Mrsbunnychops · 11/06/2025 15:09

Bavariamaria · 11/06/2025 15:02

This is crazy. Who does the payroll? Is it cash in hand? Run a mile.

It’s cash in hand but by bank transfer!

OP posts:
Bavariamaria · 11/06/2025 15:10

Tell her to block them, leave the group and look for a different position.

Mrsbunnychops · 11/06/2025 15:10

Actually they must have her full name if bank transfer?

OP posts:
Mrsbunnychops · 11/06/2025 15:11

She’s looking now 💯😅

OP posts:
ridingfreely · 11/06/2025 15:13

This role will end badly - I wouldn’t risk the knock in confidence that this will be the inevitably bring. Shame as I’m sure she’s keen to earn some money but not worth the long term impact

huuskymam · 11/06/2025 15:14

I'd be advising her not to take the job. It sounds like they'll be a nightmare to work for. How can someone not take a sick day?

Mrsbunnychops · 11/06/2025 15:17

I agree!! Especially if working around food!! If someone has D&V they are not meant to handle food for 48 hours!!

OP posts:
Swiftie1878 · 11/06/2025 15:18

huuskymam · 11/06/2025 15:14

I'd be advising her not to take the job. It sounds like they'll be a nightmare to work for. How can someone not take a sick day?

I’m imagining that what it actually means is that if you are too poorly to work, it’s up to you to find someone to cover your shift. Probably through the WhatsApp group.

Mrsbunnychops · 11/06/2025 15:46

I get that in an established team, but this was not explained to her and she is only just 16 and in her first Saturday job and has only met others fleetingly as they employ a lot of casual staff. It’s probably an edited sound bite teen version of events though!!

OP posts:
FairKoala · 18/06/2025 18:39

Mrsbunnychops · 11/06/2025 15:09

It’s cash in hand but by bank transfer!

Well someone isn’t going to get paid if they don’t have her details

This sounds like some sort of scam. She works, doesn’t get paid because they don’t have her details, then she works some more. Probably won’t get paid without a fight and expects her to give up and walk away and he has had free labour for a couple of weeks, then rinse and repeat

If you are expected to come into work even if you are sick, (or have been sick) I wonder how many other health violations there are.

FairKoala · 18/06/2025 18:40

Makes me wonder if he has proper insurance in place especially if she isn’t getting a wage slip.

MyLov · 18/06/2025 20:41

Mrsbunnychops · 11/06/2025 15:09

It’s cash in hand but by bank transfer!

Yeah that’s all sorts of illegal.

Iloveeverycat · 18/06/2025 20:58

They at least need her national insurance number and right to work proof if they are legitimate company.

AmIHumanOrAmIAYeti · 18/06/2025 21:01

www.gov.uk/child-employment/restrictions-on-child-employment

Plantladylover · 18/06/2025 21:04

Mrsbunnychops · 11/06/2025 15:09

It’s cash in hand but by bank transfer!

well it cant be both. cash in hand is literally that. bank transfer is proper records.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 18/06/2025 21:16

Some restaurants are terrible for this kind of thing.

My DD started working at a large cafe/restaurant a year ago when she had just turned 16.

She had a trial shift and was put on the rota. All good in the summer as it's a tourist spot but shifts on rainy days would be cancelled at the last minute while she was on the train on her way to work.

This happens quite a lot.

Pay was just a bank transfer - often days late, once a whole week late.

Over winter she was lucky to get one shift a month but by spring they were pressuring her to come in even when she was supposed to be at college. When she refused a few last minute shifts she found herself with no shifts for a month as some sort of punishment.

Suddenly a week ago the boss has made her fill in an online form with HMRC so it looks like he has had to put her on the books officially.

He also suddenly told her to do a level 2 food hygiene course so I wonder if he has had a visit from environmental health too.

Once the staff turn 18 they suddenly find themselves with no shifts as he is constantly putting new 16 year olds on the rota instead as they are cheaper.

Thankfully he is ok with sickness as he has so many staff begging for shifts it's never a problem getting cover for sickness.

I am strongly encouraging her to find a better job.

JustGiveMeWineNow · 18/06/2025 21:43

They are legally required to do a risk assessment for the employment of an under 18. Bet you that hasn’t been done🙈

JockTamsonsBairns · 18/06/2025 22:07

Iloveeverycat · 18/06/2025 20:58

They at least need her national insurance number and right to work proof if they are legitimate company.

How does that work for 15 year olds who don't yet have a NI number?

Iloveeverycat · 19/06/2025 15:43

JockTamsonsBairns · 18/06/2025 22:07

How does that work for 15 year olds who don't yet have a NI number?

I am not sure about that. I don't know many jobs for 15 year olds apart Saturday girl in a salon or paper round

JockTamsonsBairns · 20/06/2025 17:15

Iloveeverycat · 19/06/2025 15:43

I am not sure about that. I don't know many jobs for 15 year olds apart Saturday girl in a salon or paper round

Edited

My 15yo DD has a job, as do all her friends. Both her elder brothers had weekend jobs at that age too.

We're in a town in the NE - not sure if that makes a difference?

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