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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My 16 yo has taken a job that has turned out to voluntary!

185 replies

Lemurlady · 30/09/2025 10:52

My 16 yo DS has taken what he thought was a paid job at our local swimming club as a poolside helper with a view to doing his coaching qualifications. He had to do his DBS and a 3 hour safeguarding course in his own time. He has done his first month (2.5hours/week) and asked when he was getting paid. He has been told it’s voluntary for 6 months and after that they will decide whether to take him on at £8/hour. It was never mentioned in any of the email correspondence that it was unpaid. He did not sign a contract and got the gig because he used to swim at the club and reached out to them. AIBU to expect him to be paid for the hours he has done and in thinking this is very exploitative as it would seem the only way into coaching is to work for free for 6 months. Is it even legal?

OP posts:
B33cka8 · 04/10/2025 22:07

Lemurlady · 30/09/2025 10:52

My 16 yo DS has taken what he thought was a paid job at our local swimming club as a poolside helper with a view to doing his coaching qualifications. He had to do his DBS and a 3 hour safeguarding course in his own time. He has done his first month (2.5hours/week) and asked when he was getting paid. He has been told it’s voluntary for 6 months and after that they will decide whether to take him on at £8/hour. It was never mentioned in any of the email correspondence that it was unpaid. He did not sign a contract and got the gig because he used to swim at the club and reached out to them. AIBU to expect him to be paid for the hours he has done and in thinking this is very exploitative as it would seem the only way into coaching is to work for free for 6 months. Is it even legal?

Unfortunately really doubt there will be a job at the end of it. They take on volunteers every 6 months and switch and switch so they never end up having to pay anyone. It's gross and it's a joke. I'm so sorry he will be really disappointed by this but he shouldn't waste his time, and the poor communication is a red flag anyway. Go get you a paid job young man!

Pinkandgreentrousers · 04/10/2025 22:26

Lemurlady · 30/09/2025 13:37

They paid for his DBS

Show quote history

It's free if he is a volunteer

Timetochillnow · 04/10/2025 23:17

Jellybunny56 · 30/09/2025 11:19

It’s unreasonable to start a job, do training & work without ever actually asking how much it pays. Lots of clubs seem to do this for the younger ones, ours does similar it is volunteering & they then put you through a qualification.

This was the case in another sport for my 16 yr old son, but after 6 months they paid for his first level coaching course and then paid him by the hour for coaching - but he never had a contract

Imdoodleladie · 04/10/2025 23:50

Six months is ridiculous! Six weeks is too long. Tell DS to leave they are scammers. Cheap labour. Exploration!

ThatPeachFox · 05/10/2025 07:14

Lemurlady · 30/09/2025 10:52

My 16 yo DS has taken what he thought was a paid job at our local swimming club as a poolside helper with a view to doing his coaching qualifications. He had to do his DBS and a 3 hour safeguarding course in his own time. He has done his first month (2.5hours/week) and asked when he was getting paid. He has been told it’s voluntary for 6 months and after that they will decide whether to take him on at £8/hour. It was never mentioned in any of the email correspondence that it was unpaid. He did not sign a contract and got the gig because he used to swim at the club and reached out to them. AIBU to expect him to be paid for the hours he has done and in thinking this is very exploitative as it would seem the only way into coaching is to work for free for 6 months. Is it even legal?

Call ACAS and get advice, I suspect DS is going along with it. Ask DS to see email/contract or get him to talk to ACAS.

Seajaye · 05/10/2025 07:30

If it's genuinely voluntary then he won't be obliged to turn up to agreed shifts. Phoning in to say you are not coming on any particular day is a courtesy not an obligation, because if you are genuinely voluntary it won't affect the business. . I think if he is rostered to work a regular session and is obligated to attend then he may be a worker. Unfortunately workers get no real employment rights until they have worked for an employer for 2 years so if he doesn't want unpaid work experience his only real option is to quit. It is not that uncommon for some clubs to use volunteer coaches at some clubs before investing in cost of training courses. My daughter was a badminton coach under similar arrangement . The club paid for her to do an official umpiring qualification after 6 months.

MerryUmberHedgehog · 05/10/2025 07:52

As its only 2.5 hours a week he could find another job. In the long term he presumably will get a qualification?
Volunteering always looks good on a CV and 6 months will go quickly.
Bit naughty of them but he is 16 and at that age they dont always understand or ask the right questions.

NJC7 · 05/10/2025 10:18

Hi, just wanted to add a comment that might go against the majority but hope it helps…

My (now 17 year old) son started a similar role when he was 15. He’s a football lad and it was coaching 5/6 year olds for the local community on a weekend.

The role is normally undertaken by students doing DofE and (unlike your son) it was explained that the first 12 weeks are voluntary and then the lead coach picks who they want to stay on / pay.

My son wasn’t going DofE but wanted to get a head start on his CV.

2 years later he still does it and not only gets paid but also got “promoted” to supervisor / pay rise since. He got DBS check and also has done FA qualifications.

He now also works at McD’s while doing his A-Levels.

My point is, it looks great on his CV, and the “initial voluntary period” is quite a common thing with community run clubs. They sift out those who aren’t committed. It does genuinely often lead to paid employment.

So honestly I would chalk it up to a miscommunication rather than a big plot to take advantage of children, and I would be very hesitant to rock the boat.

Yes it’s disappointing for your son that he’s not getting paid atm, but they are also providing him with valuable work experience and an excellent thing for his CV (so many things he can write on it about that role)

Sometimes the actual CV enhancement / work experience is more valuable in the long term.

I’d recommend he sticks with it, and he can look elsewhere for paid work but keep this going for his CV for now.

NJC7 · 05/10/2025 10:20

NJC7 · 05/10/2025 10:18

Hi, just wanted to add a comment that might go against the majority but hope it helps…

My (now 17 year old) son started a similar role when he was 15. He’s a football lad and it was coaching 5/6 year olds for the local community on a weekend.

The role is normally undertaken by students doing DofE and (unlike your son) it was explained that the first 12 weeks are voluntary and then the lead coach picks who they want to stay on / pay.

My son wasn’t going DofE but wanted to get a head start on his CV.

2 years later he still does it and not only gets paid but also got “promoted” to supervisor / pay rise since. He got DBS check and also has done FA qualifications.

He now also works at McD’s while doing his A-Levels.

My point is, it looks great on his CV, and the “initial voluntary period” is quite a common thing with community run clubs. They sift out those who aren’t committed. It does genuinely often lead to paid employment.

So honestly I would chalk it up to a miscommunication rather than a big plot to take advantage of children, and I would be very hesitant to rock the boat.

Yes it’s disappointing for your son that he’s not getting paid atm, but they are also providing him with valuable work experience and an excellent thing for his CV (so many things he can write on it about that role)

Sometimes the actual CV enhancement / work experience is more valuable in the long term.

I’d recommend he sticks with it, and he can look elsewhere for paid work but keep this going for his CV for now.

Just to add, if you complain you will lose that reference. The reference really will be beneficial to him.

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