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?

Let him go.
If he doesn’t do the job, somebody else will.
Ensure he follows correct hygiene procedure and let him work, for his self esteem and good mental health.

I'd let him go.

My son has been into work.

Unless you are self-isolating because of symptoms or underlying health conditions, he needs to go to work like everyone else. It's not the kind of job where you can work from home, it is still an important service industry for people who aren't in a position to cook for themselves for whatever reason.

At 16 you do have the final word.

Try having the conversation I've just had with my 21 year old, back from Uni today. His GF is coming home from a completely different city and I pointed out he couldn't go between her house and ours and neither could she.

It didn't go down well at all. I cried with fucking frustration!

The impacts of social distancing and loss of exams after the education system being geared towards them after so many years of emphisis on the importance of GCSEs is a pretty big hit. As an adult, I can handle (just) the thought of not seeing friends in person and understand the risks and my responsibilities, but for a 16yo, who has so much proximity/ contact with friends and less sophisticated social responsibility, it's a pretty big sacrifice.

I'd say that the job is a controlled social outlet and gives a sense of purpose which will have value in the weeks/ months ahead. As long as your family is low risk of complications, I'd say let him do it.

Many emergency workers use McDonalds so it is a useful support to keep them going at their work.

Why is he going to school??

I have a similar dilemma my DD is a student who works in fast food restaurant during the holidays. I am in the at risk meant to isolate for 12 weeks catagory I want to ask her not to go but feel I may be selfish doing so

I understand your concerns. Mine is applying for the temporary jobs at the supermarkets. He's talked it over with us and we've decided to let him choose. What would mcd say to him refusing the shifts on those grounds when the restaurant has shut down apart from takeaway ?

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

16 is not an adult.

There is no way I would allow him to do it. I have a 17 year old and many teens that age seem to be seeing appropriate precautions as being an over reaction. My ds, along with the rest of us, is going nowhere unless it is necessary. At 16, a part-time job is generally not necessary.

Maccys will be hyper vigilant about cleanliness at the moment. They've never exactly been lax in that department but they will be kicking righteous ass at the moment. Let him go.

I’d let him go

My DD16 works in a small local shop and as its mothers day tomorrow she promised to go in, but she's worried and so am I - as a small retailer they haven't got any H&S in place, loads of customers come into a small shop all at once and come fairly close up to pay. She feels if she doesn't go she will be letting her employers down. We've had a long talk tonight and it looks like she will have to go tomorrow, it would be awful to leave her colleagues stuck but I'm worried. It might be that she has to hand her notice in after this, too risky.

Question though - wouldn't a drive through McD be safer than a shop? Very limited customer contact and not loads of staff, but lots of hygiene measures in place?

I am in the same position as you and I have put my foot down and said absolutely not.

But then my friends think I am a crank for self isolating from last week ... Maybe I am but I don't care.

My friend is a paramedic. Ambulance crews regularly swing by McDonald’s drive thru. It’s an easy way for them to get a hot drink on a 12 hour shift.

What on earth are you thinking? Of course you should not let him go as he'd be placing your whole family at risk

@CarolinaPink it's a good job that not everyone thinks that way. I for one am very grateful that people are continuing to work.

NHS staff are struggling to get groceries, and are working sometimes 48 hour shifts. Maybe, just maybe, having a quick easy option for them isn't such a bad idea.

I'd let him go.

I’d definitely let him go

Yes, I'd let him go. Good on him.

@CarolinaPink it's a good job that not everyone thinks that way. I for one am very grateful that people are continuing to work.

Me too.

DS17 is still working at JD sports several hours a week. Not essential but he'll lose his job otherwise. He'll go in until they're told to close. I'm a nurse whose had patients coughing all over me at work so god knows what I'm harbouring anyway.

Supermarkets are essential; fast food restaurants aren't.

Dd is 17 and has a part time waitressing job at an Indian restaurant. At the beginning of last week (before school and college closures were announced), I asked her to text her boss to say that she wouldn't be coming in for the future.

She said that she was more at risk going to college so we agreed that she would stop going to both.

She also agreed to cancel her driving lessons.

Whereabouts are you op for him to still be going to school?
That is more concerning.