WIBU to let my son (16) go to work at McDs

[Orangesandbananas]

My family (four of us) are strictly following social distancing, not having people round, just going out for essential food items, not going to any small gatherings etc.

Son has only worked at McDs for about three weeks, he has been given shifts next week after school.

In common with some other young people, he doesn't seem to be taking the virus very seriously so he'll want to go, and he'll be upset not to be able to have an income.

I feel worried about him transmitting or catching the virus, I really want to help do our bit to flatten the curve, so in that respect want to tell him not to go, but it took him a while to find a job and he'll lose this job if he refuses to go to work during the crisis.

Not sure what to do. What would you do?

I'd let him go

I’d let him make the decision

Isn't it shut?

Just realised that the YABU / YANBU vote might be unclear -

Vote is if I DO let him go

No it's not shut it's takeaway only.

Tbh I think I'd let him. Tesco e.g are recruiting and cafes/restaurants are still allowed to act as takeaways and McD's is just that. It's not like he wants to go play playstation with his mates or doss about in a park.

I'd Let him go if he wants to. They're only doing take away so it's less of a risk than them being open fully and if its anything like my work (similar kind of setting) they'll be sanatising every hour.

Idk.

Part of me thinks that if schools have closed then school kids shouldn't be going out to work?

That said if it's takeaway only & McDs are ensuring that their employees are being responsible...

The thing is he'll be at risk of them letting him go if he doesn't show up. I think if he's old enough to work he should be old enough to make this decision. He can't tell his boss his mum wouldn't let him out can he?

Sorry I can’t come to work - my mum isn’t letting me. He needs to make the decision himself.

"Sorry I can’t come to work - my mum isn’t letting me. He needs to make the decision himself."

Well in these circumstances I would think that it would be fair enough for the adults to say no to the child-that they are isolating as much as possible & that he needs to respect that.

Let him go for his mental health amongst other reasons.

Honestly I'd love it if my teens had jobs at the moment. They're going to be really fed up with no school/uni work to focus on and no social lives.

If he is 16 and employed then of course he should go to work. He is an adult for goodness sake!!!

I think let him go if he wants to. I have two 18 yo DSs - suddenly they don't have A levels, they are not meeting up irl with mates (only online), they need to do something to ensure they don't get bored out of their minds.

My DS has persuaded me this is essential work, even more pressure on the supermarkets if they weren't open and a lifeline for the housebound!. Their takeaway and delivery business is through the roof.

They're ringing a buzzer every 30 mins when everyone has to wash their hands (although I think that may be normal)

I keep expecting his shifts to be cut but it hasn't happened yet.

It's drive through only isn't it ? My dd works at McDonald's.

Food is an essential.

For me it would depend entirely if there are any people in the vulnerable categories in the household. If there aren't, then working is a good idea. Both for him, and for society. I know mcdonald's might not seem like an essential service, but with panic buying, some people might rely on it to a degree.

"After school" ? Is he going to school then? If so then he's more likely to pick it up there than at McDonald's which will be super strict hygiene wise!

My son is still working at KFC (he's left school though so does need to stay employed). They also have no direct customer contact any more, building is closed and food is handed out via the Drive Thru hatch. And for a fair few people locally, that probably does represent a significant amount of their food intake. If they closed completely it would put more pressure on supermarkets. So I think he is doing a useful job.

In the case of your son, I'd say it's a question of whether you think it's worth it given that (unlike mine) he doesn't have to work.

My son works at McDonalds. He is on nights, but from next week that will stop. They will be closing at 10pm.
He also has a very low immune system, so should be self isolating, but if he doesn't work he doesn't get paid.

I would rather he stayed at home, but he is an adult and has to make this choice for himself. For your son if it is just an after school job, I would tell him to stay at home. This is going to get much worse before it gets better.

McDonald's is not an essential service but I suppose not too far from it. A coffee or a breakfast for a nurse on her way home from a long shift or a quick (and contactless) quick lunch for a delivery driver ....

As there's not much social contact I'd let him go.

I'm just so surprised anyone wants a MDs.

No disrespect to OPs son, but most kids a) are likely to be asymptomatic so could spread virus without knowing it and b) think they are invincible and will go to work even if they have a bit of a cough or temperature.

It surely must be his decision

Honestly there are loads and loads of procedures in place to keep staff and customers safe. Send him in.

I'm just so surprised anyone wants a MDs

🙄