Saturday work for a 16 year old

ACG

PersianCatLady wrote: »

I see the point that you are trying to make but if the granddaughter in question is over 16 AND entitled to NMW, I would be very sceptical of telling her to accept anything less than NMW.

The reason for this is that if an employer is willing to act illegally n the issue of pay then I would be very concerned about what else they were doing.

But for those of us in the real world, if the granddaughter pushes the issue she may well have no job at all.

There may also be no pension/sick pay but it looks good on a CV for the next job and gives experience which at this stage in her life is worth 10x the pay she is receiving. Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture.

You are 100% correct, if she is eligible for minimum wage, she would receive it. But winning the moral argument may result in losing the job. No doubt part of the reason she has probably got the job because she is the cheapest.

System

Comms69 wrote: »

Indeed £4.20 is the NMW, so that is what she should expect; she's entitled to paid holidays too

Yeah that doesn't often stand in hairdressers. Not that I agree but most hairdressers I know are paid cash in hand and lower rates than minimum wage - think £50 for the day that kind of thing.

Comms69

andydownes123 wrote: »

Yeah that doesn't often stand in hairdressers. Not that I agree but most hairdressers I know are paid cash in hand and lower rates than minimum wage - think £50 for the day that kind of thing.

I think it varies.


Some are self employed and rent a space from the owner
Some are employed hourly
Some are employed per appointment


But as an assistant for the studio she should reasonably expect an hourly rate.

Exodi

From a purely practical point of view; she absolutely should not question it right away, plus you're not really sure what she will be paid yet as there have only been verbal discussions between her and the employer which have been relayed to you. At least wait till she gets paid first and then question the amount if needs be - I'd imagine it extremely risky for an employer to dismiss someone that highlighted they were being illegally underpaid.

Plus, for those of you really advising her to question it, stop a minute and think about it playing out...

"Hi, you must be Sarah!"
"yeah..."
"Well nice to meet you Sarah, I'm Rachel and I'm the manager. I'll introduce you to the other girls shortly but first I'll answer any questions you may have and get some details off you, is that ok?"
"thank r-rach... granddad said... m-m-mmy granddad w-w-wanted me to..."
"what is it Sarah?"
"I'd like to question my pay in reference to the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 as I believe I am entitled to £4.20 an hour as per the latest revisions. I trust this claim will not be subject to dismissal as such an act would constitute a breach of section 23 an 25 of the Employment Rights Act 1996."

Plus, I have a 16 year old sister (started working part time at a fish and chip shop). I can only imagine her face if I told her she has to query her pay on her first day!

gardner1

OP just leave it.......its her first Saturday job probably only 5/6 hrs.....sweeping floor making coffee and general dogsbody at end of day she will be given £20 ish and will be dead chuffed

Marcon

PersianCatLady wrote: »

Is your Granddaughter wtill at school in Year 11?

If she is then she is not entitled to NMW and therefore £3.50 an hour is perfectly legal.

If your Granddaughter is in Year 12 or Year 13 (Sixth Form / A-Levels / FE College) then she is entitled to NMW of £4.20 an hour.

I must admit I do worry that many people come here for important advice and they are given totally false information by well meaning people who answer queries on instinct rather than knowledge.

This thread has more posters giving false informaiton than giving correct information and it is worrying that people feel the need to "give advice" when they have no knowledge of what they are advising about.

Including yours, unfortunately. OP, see https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage/who-gets-the-minimum-wage

There is a very strict definition of when the NMW starts to be payable and it isn't 'being in year 11'.