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Teenagers

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

Original poster

16yr son working till midnight and coming home alone

66 replies

user1474272923 · 19/09/2016 09:34

Hi, this is my first post so please be kind 😁.
My son turned 16 last month. He got a job at mcdonalds and his shifts have been from 4pm til 12 midnight.
I'm not usually hysterical when it comes to him going out and his curfew is usually decided depending on what the situation is. I don't mind him out late as long as he's not alone and is getting home safely.
This job though is causing me a bit of panic. The mcdonalds is in a notoriously rough area. I feel I'm being too overprotective by going out to pick him up each evening. Plus if I'm honest, I work full time and im a single mum. I'm usually fast asleep by 11pm!! (Kinda missing them days now!)
So that leaves him either having to walk through the Estate then waiting for the next tram at midnight....or me trying to force him in getting a cab home. Which would take most of his earnings bless him. The other option is me lay in bed imagining him being beaten and telling myself off for being a bad parent and not picking him up.
I do understand I need to give him some independence. I also have a daughter of 22 so iv been through this already. However she would never go anywhere alone. He feels he is invincible!!
Please don't get me wrong I don't want to fill him with unnecessary fear and im all for him taking a few risks and becoming independent. I just feel really uncomfortable with this situation at the moment.
Iv asked if he works with anyone he can share transport home with, but he doesn't.
Any advice or hand slapping for being an overbearing mother would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

OP posts:
titchy · 19/09/2016 10:44

He needs to let his manager know that as a 16 year old he is legally not allowed to work beyond 10pm. And you need to pick him up - sorry!

QuestionableMouse · 19/09/2016 10:44

Is it a company store or a franchise? He shouldnt be working after 10pm.

Iambubbles86 · 19/09/2016 10:45

Agree with suki, u worked at MacDonald in early 2000's, if you asked a taxi was provided (I used my moped though)

MrsJayy · 19/09/2016 10:47

10 or 12 he still has to walk through Blackpool at night so if he wants to keep working there he needs to get himself home.

Original poster
user1474272923 · 19/09/2016 10:53

Thanks for all your replies. I knew I wasn't being ridiculous. But being a parent is a constant battle between trying to not be an over protective hysterical nightmare and making sure your safeguarding them and making the right decisions. It's hard isn't it?
I did already check on the law on working times and it doesn't apply to catering apparently. He can work until 11.59!! ..
I like the idea of trying to get a local cab firm to do a weekly price actually. I don't mind paying half of that if he covers the other half.
He does have to take some responsibilities for his choices after all.
Thank you for all your feedback. It's really been helpful 😊

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 19/09/2016 10:56

I work for McDonald's and none of our under 18s work after 10. They won't pay for a taxi so I wouldn't bother asking.

stonecircle · 19/09/2016 10:57

Is he still at school? No way would I let my DS work until midnight on a school night.

AndNowItsSeven · 19/09/2016 10:58

Mcdonalds pay for taxis for under 18's

MrsJayy · 19/09/2016 10:59

Loving the 11.59 loopholeGrin taxi firms will do this and if it's pre ordered it's not on the meter

Original poster
user1474272923 · 19/09/2016 10:59

No he's left school in June. He now thinks he's an adult!!!!!!! .....

OP posts:
kilmuir · 19/09/2016 11:01

Goodness , no way would I let him work til midnight or walk home

Original poster
user1474272923 · 19/09/2016 11:01

I may ring a different restaurant and ask them what their policies are for 16 yr olds working late shifts. I do think it's a bit harsh giving him every late shift at his age. Not a responsible employer in my eyes.

OP posts:
titchy · 19/09/2016 11:06

He is supposed to be in education btw OP - please don't tell me the McD job is an apprenticeship?

QuestionableMouse · 19/09/2016 11:08

From OurLounge (McDonald's information website.)

' Under 18 year olds are also restricted to shifts of 8 hours or less and cannot work between midnight and 4.00am. These are legal requirements. In certain circumstances, young workers may be asked to work between 10.00pm and 6.00am. However, a young worker is not allowed to work between the hours of Midnight and 4.00am. Your manager will discuss whether you are required to work between 10.00pm and midnight. '

Company stores WILL NOT pay for a taxi.

MrsJayy · 19/09/2016 11:08

Of course he thinks he is an adult something weird happens to them when they turn 16 they know everything we know nothing

clam · 19/09/2016 11:13

I too would be picking him up, if there were no alternative (staff taxi/altered shifts).
Mind you, I pick up my 20yr old ds after evening shifts in the local pub, because it's in the middle of nowhere and would involve walking home down pitch black winding lanes. Even with a hi-viz jacket (which, let's face it, there's not a young adult on the planet who'd wear), it'd still be dangerous.

AbandonedIron · 19/09/2016 11:17

He is supposed to be in education btw OP - please don't tell me the McD job is an apprenticeship?

Legally you can leave school at 16. How is he "supposed" to be in education? Staying on for further/ higher education isn't for everyone. And what's wrong with an apprenticeship?

My dad left school just before he was 16 and started as an apprentice, he has worked hard all his life and owns and runs his own successful business. What a silly thing to say!

OP I think you need to speak to your son about his safety- I agree that trying to negotiate with a local taxi firm or maybe you could pick up for some shifts and he pays a taxi for the rest?

Cherryskypie · 19/09/2016 11:19

Did you miss the law changing?

QuestionableMouse · 19/09/2016 11:20

Get him to ask if any coworkers want to share a taxi.

Cherryskypie · 19/09/2016 11:23

England
You can leave school on the last Friday in June if you’ll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.

You must then do one of the following until you’re 18:

stay in full-time education, eg at a college
start an apprenticeship or traineeship
work or volunteer (for 20 hours or more a week) while in part-time education or training

AbandonedIron · 19/09/2016 11:25

You can leave school at 16, Cherrypie, provided you are staying in some form of education or an apprenticeship.

If this is an apprenticeship then what's the problem?

Cherryskypie · 19/09/2016 11:27

What could be the problem with a McDonald's apprenticeship that has a 16 year old working until midnight and then having to make their way home through a rough area?

AskBasil · 19/09/2016 11:27

Nothing wrong with apprenticeships.

But McD's isn't an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships imply that you will have a marketable skill when you've finished, with a piece of paper telling other people what that skill is.

titchy · 19/09/2016 11:28

Legally you can leave school at 16. How is he "supposed" to be in education? Staying on for further/ higher education isn't for everyone. And what's wrong with an apprenticeship?

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with an apprenticeship - they are fabulous! However I'd have massive concerns about McDs claiming kids working the fryers were apprentices because unless they are also providing proper training at a proper training provider they are NOT apprentices - and McDs would only say they were so they could get away with paying apprentice wages of £2.73 an hour.

Cherryskypie · 19/09/2016 11:29

Apparently they've done apprenticeships since 2009. Brave new world ...