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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

What sort of paid work can a 15-year-old boy do?

20 replies

Merguez · 05/07/2014 20:45

DS, 15, has a long empty summer holiday stretching ahead.

He would quite like a temporary part-time job, but what can he do? For example, could he do shelf-stacking at the local supermarket or is he too young?

Would like him to get some proper experience - gardening for friends etc isn't really an option.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 05/07/2014 20:47

Well what sort of experience?
Why is shelf stacking beetter than gardening or babysitting?

Merguez · 05/07/2014 20:50

he has had experience of voluntary working in a charity shop.

he needs a more 'independent' corporate-type job than doing odd jobs for friends, IYSWIM. I do not want to prevail upon the goodwill of friends to 'employ' him. And anyway, don't know anyone with small children who need a babysitter.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 05/07/2014 20:51

Ohbi see fair enough. Afaik he can work a certian no of hours. How about a restaurant?

StealthPolarBear · 05/07/2014 20:52

Wed love a decent local babysitter

Merguez · 05/07/2014 20:53

restaurant is a good idea. he wanted to see if local pub would employ him (we know landlord) but I would have thought you need to be over 18 to work in a pub.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 05/07/2014 20:55

No they may employ glass collectors or dishwashers

plinkyplonker · 05/07/2014 20:56

McDonald's will take them from 15 depending on when he turns 16. Any local attractions that will be taking on summer staff? My first job was at a zoo in the cafe.

LynetteScavo · 05/07/2014 20:56

My friends DD is working in a restaurant, but she is "paid" in tips only. (Hmm)

If you don't want to rely on the good will of friends, he could drum up his own business by printing out flyers/knocking on doors.

Local supermarkets here want people to be 16yo, but it's worth asking.

micah · 05/07/2014 20:57

Dog walking?

If the pub serves food he can waiter/kitchen staff.

Cleaning.

Corner shops- co-ops and the like.

Hobby2014 · 05/07/2014 20:58

What about newspapers / leaflet delivering?
I work in a shop but employees have to be 16 and have left school.
But I don't work in a supermarket so not sure if they have different rules to where I work.

Merguez · 05/07/2014 21:01

Ha! I can't even get him to take our dog for a walk. But maybe if I paid him …

We are in a rural area so paper round not really practical. Do they even exist any more?

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 05/07/2014 21:06

The co-op near me, you defiantly have to be 16, but washing up in gastro pubs seem to employ those younger.

LynetteScavo · 05/07/2014 21:08

DS1 has a paper round (it pays £8 a week for him to wander around our) block for 1.5 hours)

He tells me he's going to get a job at the local co-op when he's 16yo Hmm

Springcleanish · 05/07/2014 21:10

Paper rounds are great, my 14yr old has suddenly developed the ability to get up in the morning, a sense of responsibility and earns £25 a week for 6 mornings work meaning he pays for all his own treats, social life and designer (Hollister) clothes.
Pot washer - lots of fifteen yr olds doing that?

LynetteScavo · 05/07/2014 21:37

My DS dosn't even have to get up in the morning for his paper round...he does it after school at his leisure.

Awks · 05/07/2014 23:42

dd2 is 14 and she works as a waitress in our local pub on a Saturday evening.

Lesshastemorespeed · 05/07/2014 23:50

This website might help.

BackforGood · 07/07/2014 00:03

Although the law allows you to work a certain number of hours U16, it's not worth the hassles and inflexibility of working around that for the bigger supermarkets, when they have plenty of older applicants for the jobs anyway, so, IME, you can't get a job in a supermarket while you are 15.
A small business would be the bet bet I'd have thought - independent cafe or a business that walks dogs or looks after pets maybe?

CakeUpWall · 07/07/2014 00:25

Does he have any particular skills which could be in demand locally? We live rurally too, so I understand that opportunities are slightly limited.

However, both my DSs started earning a bit of money as musicians at about that age. (Local shows, parties etc.) If there's something which your son is good at, maybe he could advertise in the parish mag or village shop until he gets a name for himself locally?

ChillySundays · 07/07/2014 16:48

Think at 15/16 there is a limit to how many hours they can work in a day. there is a cut off time in the evening after which they can not work as well. Think it is 18:30 but not sure. There is also a time in the morning before which they can not work. My son had to have a permit from the Council to do his paper round.

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