Furious with what happened to DS17 on his last day of work

[Workcomplaintt]

I have changed my name for this because posts on my normal account could give away the company involved.

DS (17) had his final day of a part time job today. He knew it was always a short term contract and he really enjoyed working there, it was his first proper job.

Upon picking him up today, he was absolutely covered head to toe in flour, eggs, milk and god knows what else. Apparently it’s tradition whenever someone leaves that they get tied up and humiliated by their colleagues. I could tell DS was shaken up, he said he didn’t know it was going to happen and he didn’t feel they’d listen if he asked them to stop.

He took off what clothes he could before getting in my car but it’s in a right state.

I am in two minds to turn up at the company tomorrow and give them a piece of my mind. I said as much to DS. He’s only 17 for goodness sake.

He has asked me not to say anything to them.

Would it be wrong of me to make an issue of this despite his wishes for me not to?

Yes it would be wrong, he asked you not to.

Your job is to support him, not to ignore his wishes and embarrass him further.

Report to police and /or head office.

I would be ducking murderous

That's awful, your poor son. I've heard of that type of thing being done before couples get married but never in a workplace environment where things are supposed to be professional. Surely that is grounds for bullying/harassment?

Yes I would report, it’s unacceptable bullying (especially to a minor) aswell as a waste of ingredients. I’m sure head office would be interested. Hope your son is ok

This was a thing in a restaurant I worked in 35 years ago. I’m amazed it’s still happening.

If he’s asked you not to, you should respect that. I’d be livid in your position though.

That’s horrendous. Where was the office the 1970s?

That behaviour is totally unacceptable and unprofessional! What is a department of juvenile idiots?
And yes you should definitely go in and demand an explanation and an apology - if they behave like stupid children then they should be berated like them.
At the very least I would demand they pay for new clothes for your DS and to have your car cleaned.

It’s awful but you need to stay out of it.

I would leave it op. He's almost a man, you going in there would only embarrass him, although I understand your being pissed off.

Hmmm. Did he really not know this was going to happen? If it was an actual stealth doing then I'd be annoyed yes. I would however expect the person getting the doing the speak up about it at the time. But it does sound like a bit of fun, the type of thing you expect in your last day at work before your wedding. In Northern Ireland (and I think Scotland) you get a "doing" which is being plastered in water, flour/eggs, mud anything like that in the run up to your wedding but it's good natured fun.

Used to happen at McDs when I worked there .. didn’t bother me then, doesn’t bother me now.

I’m not sure Mummy storming down tomorrow will do much.

It’s a bit of Milk & Flour, not sure the Police will be at all interested.

Just chalk it down, he’ll laugh about it in a few years.

I used to work at a place that liked to play "practical jokes" on people. They shrink wrapped the car of someone who was leaving. Filled someone's car up with polystyrene balls when they were getting married. Fart sprayed a man's locker when he was going on paternity leave. All fucking awful and nothing I was ever a part of. This was in the 00s. It wasnt funny then and I'm surprised things like this still go on.

Is it a chain OP? Can you ask DS to email someone higher up just to make them aware it's happening? I hope he's ok

I too am amazed this is still happening. It was definitely a feature of the bad old days of work. If this is a small part of a large company I would report them to head office without hesitation. I suspect though it’s a small business with the owner on site and joining in, in which case there’s not much you can do short of the Police.

What kind of wank stain company is this? Childish nonsense.

Still a thing? I know someone who worked at a well known fast food brand 25 years ago and this was a thing. I think you were put in the bin while they did it

I would be raging too but there’s no point in complaining - they won’t be interested (probably dismiss it as just a bit of fun that happens to all leavers) but more importantly it could interfere with the possibility of him getting a decent reference if he ever needs it.

If I were your DS that would have been my worst nightmare. However, it was his first job in the adult world even though he’s not quite an adult himself. He’s asked you to do nothing, so I think you should respect that.

Thankfully it shouldn’t happen at his next job!

This was a “thing” on the last day of secondary school in the early 90s. Slightly shocked it’s happening in a workplace TBH.

Absolutly right, he has asked you to say nothing. Respect that.

I got egged and floured on my last day in a supermarket 24 years ago. I’d have thought times had changed since then but I wouldn’t complain to the company, especially when your son has asked you not to.

@Workcomplaintt I would send a very professional email and tell them that this archaic tradition is not acceptable. Don’t necessarily link it to your DS, they will feel justified to side track and not accept responsibility.

It is childish and passive/aggressive.

I would be mortified if this happened to me.

I send my best wishes to your DS and hopefully his future employers will be of a more considerate nature.

Happened on your birthday when I was at school but never seen it in the workplace. I have seen kissograms, shrink wrapped cars, cars with cans tied to the back and shaving foam on the windscreen

Don't report - nothing to be gained (for DS). What a hideous experience though. Just support him, validate his feelings of shock/shame as he processes what happened and reassure him that this is not a normal workplace thing at all.

I have worked in industries/professions where we have had initiation and leaving practices but none of them involved physical contact.