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Original poster

Employing a soon to be 15 year old...

44 replies

Whathastheworldcometo · 09/02/2017 11:08

Hello looking for some advice.

I have received a CV for my shop that has not opened yet. It is a hair salon for men. A soon to be 15 year old has requested a job. It is a young lady. I don't feel comfortable with a young girl being with men on her own as we do not have any other female staff and I feel she is vulnerable to be with men only all day on a Saturday. She is a very sweet girl and this makes me feel she would be more vulnerable especially if a male customer was rude etc. Or a bit forth coming. I would not be there to supervise her. And whilst I trust my staff I feel like it would be irresponsible of me to employ her and I am just thinking about her welfare as she is still a child after all.

So my question is....is it illegal to not hire a 15 year old girl based on their age and gender? I want to be honest with her and have a lovely email ready to send just need to give a reason without shooting myself in the foot

OP posts:

Somerville · 09/02/2017 14:38

And when no one is looking out for you because you think you are capable of safe guarding your self and something happens that's on you.

No it's not. If there is an attack or inappropriate advance on any individual, it is 'on' the attacker. Their responsibility. Their fault. Not the individual who has been attacked, under any circumstances.

Most 'women' understand this without needing to be told it.

Original poster

Whathastheworldcometo · 09/02/2017 14:38

When they are only 15 yes they do need to be looked out for in my opinion

OP posts:

Floggingmolly · 09/02/2017 14:38

If you're impressed with a 14 year old's CV, I dread to think what your real staff's qualifications consist of...

Summerisdone · 09/02/2017 14:45

I completely understand where you're coming from, but I don't personally think there would be as big an issue as you think. You have staff there of whom you trust so surely they will make sure any male customers who may speak out of line will be told to hold their tongue in future.
I worked for 6 months in a barbers when I was 16 and I loved it with all the banter with the guys and they actually became rather protective of me and looked out for me.
Granted the owner of the barbers was a woman, but she didn't work many weekends so I didn't work with her too often.
I'd honestly say that if you can take her on then it's worth giving her the opportunity, and if she finds it's not for her then I'm sure she will say so

daisychain01 · 09/02/2017 14:48

Fair enough flowery, but If it was my business, I hadn't advertised, and had some concerns about the environment ( and couldn't even be certain to be on-site to ensure all was well) on balance, I probably wouldn't risk it. Even though it would be great to give the young person a chance.

The very fact the OP can be potentially be discriminating, even though she didn't even have a vacancy, does highlight a very important point about the minefield out there for the unprepared!

Gooseygoosey12345 · 09/02/2017 14:58

Have read updates. If you don't want to give her a job I'd just say "unfortunately we don't have any vacancies at the moment, but well done on being enthusiastic about work, I hope you find something rewarding"

Original poster

Whathastheworldcometo · 09/02/2017 15:15

Yes I have done. And flogging. I was just trying to be nice to the girl. Sorry for trying to be nice and considerate. I feel sorry for those surrounding you. You are very cold

OP posts:

daisychain01 · 09/02/2017 15:17

OP maybe you could put a simple process in place to support young up and coming apprentice stylists like your Applicant, to manage the situation in future.

For example, to address your concern that you won't be onsite all the time, you could ensure there is always a Go-to person (ie a more senior person on duty at any time) who they can report to if they 'need support or have any concerns'. You can leave it vague, but it just gives the young person a safety net.

Let's face it at 15-16 yo, they are either extremely mature for their age or quite shy, sometimes lacking workplace confidence and in need of some back up.

daisychain01 · 09/02/2017 15:19

flogging some of your comments are unnecessarily caustic....

Original poster

Whathastheworldcometo · 09/02/2017 15:23

Thank you daisy. I was trying to be supportive of the young girl and be honest about the reason why so she would think carefully before applying for just anything. As somethings might not be appropriate. But I didn't want to discourage her either. Just trying to do the right thing without doing the wrong thing. And the way the world us going now everything seems to be an issue

OP posts:

Original poster

Whathastheworldcometo · 09/02/2017 15:33

Just saw your comment summerville. I agree with what you said but this is a young girl. I don't want her in that situation and you get girls need to be protected. And let's be honest of all the things on mumsnet. Most women have who post especially on aibu have been with violent partners or have been abused etc who probably could have done with someone highlighting the issues or potential issues

OP posts:

flowery · 09/02/2017 15:53

It is laudable that you are concerned about the welfare of young people in your business OP.

But if your business is such that you do not feel able to offer a job to someone because of their sex, the most supportive (and commercially-minded) way of dealing with that isnt to turn candidates away, it is to consider what steps you need to take so that you are confident you can offer a safe working environment, don't feel the need to discriminate against them and can make genuine business- minded recruitment decisions.

Original poster

Whathastheworldcometo · 09/02/2017 15:59

It's because she is a young 15 year old girl. Not just because she is young or because she is a girl but both. I can't control customers outside of the work place so don't want her in a position where she could be approached upon leaving work for example. I was just trying to keep her safe. Just forget it flogging. You obviously don't have a daughter. I was just thinking how I would feel if my daughter wanted to work in a male only environment. It was more of being accessible to so many men. How do I know one doesn't give her their number for example and she then agrees to meet them else where....? Just trying to safe guard. But hey she should know right from wrong in your opinion and that no women are vulnerable. Just forget it.

OP posts:

SofiaAmes · 09/02/2017 16:00

In that case I would speak with the parents, though as others have mentioned it seems a moot point in this case. My 14 year old dd just started an internship with just males. The boss, made a point of asking to meet me right away (especially after he found out her age as she looks much older than she is). I am not in the least bit worried about her, because she's very mature for her age. I don't think a hair salon is a particularly high risk place for a girl to be with men. I worked as an apprentice car mechanic at a petrol station at that age.

Original poster

Whathastheworldcometo · 09/02/2017 16:48

No I agree. It should be fine. But I have already turned her away. Just didn't want a potential problem later that's all. Imagine I gave her a job and then she was groomed by a customer. Everyone would then say why did they let her work there...!

OP posts:

flowery · 09/02/2017 18:05

"Imagine I gave her a job and then she was groomed by a customer. Everyone would then say why did they let her work there...!"

I really don't think they would say that.

Original poster

Whathastheworldcometo · 09/02/2017 20:57

Maybe not but there we go I have turned her away. It's not a big deal I just wanted to make sure I was doing things properly. But this is mumsnet so recourse everything has been taken to the maximum level and blown out of proportion.

OP posts:

Original poster

Whathastheworldcometo · 09/02/2017 20:57

OP posts:

AlexanderHamilton · 14/02/2017 00:18

There are rules regarding employing any child under school leaving age, male or female. School leaving age is the last Friday in June of Year 11 regardless of when a child turns 16.

You have to get a licence from the local authority, the hours they can work are restricted, the type of work is restricted & specific young person's risk assessments have to be carried out.

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