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Teenagers

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

What jobs are your teens employed in? Especially under 16s

22 replies

TheWitchAndTrevor · 17/09/2017 19:25

Just as the title.

Ds2 would like a job, but the places(shops) he's been to are 16 or over.

So I'm asking you lot, for inspiration.

please Smile

OP posts:
lbab1702 · 17/09/2017 23:11

I think it depends were you live. Rural - under 16s working in tea rooms etc. City - shops but need to be 16+

VivienneWestwoodsKnickers · 17/09/2017 23:13

At 14, I was a pot washer in a hotel kitchen. Then went to work in a bakers, but couldn't use the bread slicing machine. Moved to waitressing aged 15.

saltandvinegarcrisps1 · 18/09/2017 17:28

D'S started as kitchen Porter now barman
DD waitress. The pay they get is crap so better to do something that they get tips

Allthebestnamesareused · 18/09/2017 17:34

City based so they want over 16s. My 15 year old has set up selling vintage clothing online and is making good money. He is 16 soon and booked to do his NPQL so will be able to work as a lifeguard.

TheWitchAndTrevor · 18/09/2017 19:19

Oh thanks,

Yes I did suspect it was a rural v city thing.

Not that we are city based, but there are no tea rooms or quaint pubs around here.

It's quite frustrating, as from 14, I had lots of different weekend jobs, including working in a.... burger bar, fruit n veg stall, stables and pot washing. I loved my own money and independence.

When we were in holiday, we saw lots of young teens working in ice cream bars and cafes. Both ds commented that they would love opportunity to do the same.

I know lots of MN teens work so was hoping something would crop up that I had over looked.

OP posts:
Chocolatecake12 · 18/09/2017 20:04

My Ds does a paper round. He's desperate to reach 16 and get something in a shop.

lljkk · 18/09/2017 20:14

hmm... we are small town so almost country, and most jobs are age 16+ here, too. DD is almost 16, just got a paper round & has started work in the news agent.

MongerTruffle · 18/09/2017 20:15

It's difficult for under 16s to get jobs now. Councils impose strict rules on under 16s working and companies usually need special insurance to employ them.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 18/09/2017 20:15

We are in a city. DS became a turnstile operator at a sports stadium at 16, couldn't get anything before that other than a paper round which wasn't suitable given his lengthy commute to school.

Sundance2741 · 18/09/2017 20:18

My 16 year old has started babysitting. Not a job exactly although she has a regular weekly "booking" at the moment. Good money (by 16 yo standards) and easy work so far! She helps at brownies so has lots of contacts - she started by giving out a flyer.

Luckything50 · 18/09/2017 23:25

My ds (14 today) has just started refereeing for younger kids football matches. Unqualified he gets £15 for an hours match, when he's qualified it will be £25, £50 for 2 hours work over a weekend. No other job comes close to that money - he's delighted. Get in touch with the local FA if interested.

Taniamiff · 19/09/2017 11:47

My 15 year old son has been a junior coach with a rugby club for 2-6 year olds, for the past year. He earns £20 for 3 hours on a Saturday morning.

pollyhampton · 19/09/2017 12:09

15 yo ds is a FA referee so earns around £50 per sunday, he is also paid £20 on a Saturday to help coach a development group. Helps with both his DofE and career prospects so it's a win all round!

Bopi · 19/09/2017 12:11

After school Paper round from 13, pot washer & waitress in the evenings from 14 and I also worked on a farm sat/sun mornings.

Groovee · 19/09/2017 12:15

Paper rounds or cafe here. Dd was16 before anywhere would employ her.

Tanaqui · 19/09/2017 12:23

Both ds are in shops, but had to wait till 16. A couple of friends got jobs earlier- garden centre, waiting tables, old people's home. We are rural so transport to jobs is hard unless you will taxi them!

disneydatknee · 19/09/2017 12:33

My niece works a few hours a week at a hair salon. She's 13. She sweeps up and fetches teas and coffees. Absolutely loves it.

BeatriceBeaudelaire · 19/09/2017 12:37

Well under 16 I was a waitress and a paper girl, over 16 retail and cafe work, over 18 bar work

BeatriceBeaudelaire · 19/09/2017 12:37

Also I thought it was illegal to employ an underage 16yo unless a paper round or similar

PrettyLittleBrownEyedMe · 19/09/2017 12:44

My boys worked in tea rooms, in pubs as kitchen porters, and in a fish and chip shop well before they were 16. I think it's great for independence, responsibility and learning about the 'real world', and it's a shame that it's increasingly hard for young teenagers to access this. There are council rules about the number of hours they are allowed to work, when those hours are, and I believe in some areas they are supposed to notify the school so that the school can take action if their work nosedives as a result. There are also issues with operating machinery, data protection, minimum wage, other staff having to have DBS checks due to working with someone under-age...it's no wonder many employers just can't be bothered. But I think we do them a disservice by not enabling this kind of opportunity.

BlueButTrue · 19/09/2017 14:00

I had a weekend admin job at 15. I wasn't asked for my age because it was an office job and you cannot ask under the employment law.

I had a NI number by this point though, which obviously helped as I wouldn't have been employed without.

Not sure how I got away with that one Grin

TheWitchAndTrevor · 19/09/2017 16:26

I feel the same pretty

Some good ideas, although ds2 isn't sporty so won't be refereeing or training younger dc.

But might check out a couple of the smaller garden centres with ds. Smile

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