Working Teenagers

[KalamityKate]

Hi

Could anybody tell me the going rate for employing a 17 year old in a local shop?

My daughter has been offered a job in the summer hols keeping a shop open whilst the owner is on hols for 2 weeks. She has been offered a derisory rate of just under ?4 per hour. Is this mean or is this the going rate?

Your comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

[macroban]

Minimum wage for a 17 year old is ?3.40 per hour.

[SteveT]

She doesn't have to accept it KK if she finds something that pays better.......

[jollybaby]

?3.40 doesn't seem very much. That's about the same as I got paid in my Saturday job when I was 17 - 13 years ago.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Eee, when I were young I earned ?2.40 per WEEK for a paper round. Youngsters today, pah!

[macroban]

?3.40 is the legal minimum. No East Dulwich shopkeeper would be that mean. It's a matter of negotiation (and perhaps flirting skills). A reasonable employer would pay the same rate to all staff delivering the same value added to the business, juvenile or not.

A greater concern should be a 17 year old female left in sole charge of a shop. This needs a risk assessment.

[KalamityKel]

Surely money is money and the experience gained even as tedious as some bits might be is always good :)

Negotiate to ?4...

[gerry]

As a mom of two teenagers, I would not be satisfied with a low wage and lots of responsibility for them. Will she be working on her own? Will he insure her if the shop gets targetted and things get stolen? What will her working hours be? Frankly, she would be better off earning ?5.00 child minding in the summer months....less anxiety for her and mum!! Just my opinion.....

[KalamityKel]

gerry how can u say baby sitting is better? are there not the same kind of "risks"???

Kate I assume your daughter will not be alone in the shop?

[gerry]

If she wants to earn a realistic wage and enjoy her summer, child minding is a good skill to have. I don't like to see teenagers exploited on low wages and lots of responsibilities...its not fair on them. My teens earned more than that at 16...that was a few years ago. I would be interested to know the full story - will she be insured against damage, theft, her own safety? Will she ever be there on her own? What about the till and cash.....will she be responsible for cashing up at the end of the day?

[Brendan]

I daresay that negotiating with your employer for a higher rate of pay is probably some of the most valuable life experience one can get.

[Bellenden Belle]

I think I was a mini capitalist at a young age, and made sure I worked for a decent wage.

After one week of slogging in a local bakery for a pittance; I hit the high street.... whether it's W H Smith, Next, JD Sports, Boots or a supermarket...the list is endless.... these are companies that will train staff, give them a decent wage, and staff perks like discounts on purchases.

Get a Saturday job and you will find there are always hours to be had during Summer and Christmas holidays.

And you get to work as part of a team - which can make a difference, even if it's just people to moan with over a tea break.

[KalamityKate]

She will be working on her own mainly and if a friend comes with her then they will share the hourly rate.

She will be responsible for everything, including security and cashing up for 6 days a week.

I just think that the rate paid should reflect the responsibilities expected. Minimum wages are fine if you are serving burgers in a fast food restaurant but this job is a little more than that.

She does have another job on Saturdays in term time that pays 50% more, so its not that she hasn't worked before and has unrealistic preconceptions about pay. She also babysits and gets more per hour than this.

Thanks for your input, its very interesting to get the varying feedback.

[KalamityKel]

I'd be a bit concerned with the responsility being put on her in terms of being in charge of the security and lock up of the building and cashing up. I'm certainly not suggesting your daughter isn't capable but as mentioned earlier what about insurances? How would she be covered if anything went wrong?

Also being left alone in the shop all day. How did they propose to give her breaks and what are her working hours? As a 17 yr old she shouldn't be working more than 8 hours a day or a total of 40 hours a week. I'm guessing during the 2 weeks the owners are set to be away longer hours will be required...

Just things to think about when weighing up the pros and cons of this opportunity.

[MelbourneGr]

The experience is priceless at that age.

[KalamityKel]

For everything else... mastercard...

No seriously MelbourneGr is right. If she's happy to go with it then it is certainly good experience and something good for the CV :)