DD13 to get a job or not to get a job??

[Rouge]

I totally agree with Zazou. I would rather my kids did volunteer work at that age. In fact they will be

[Trillian]

I would be worried that because of her age she could be taken advantage of - under $10 an hour is **** wages even for a kid and employers abuse that because they know they don't have to pay them much, especially if there are no penalty rates etc. If they are shelf packing for example, they are doing the same work as an adult and only getting a fraction of the wage for it. I'm all for kids getting jobs, but that's something I would worry about. Just make sure that she knows she can tell you if she's not enjoying it etc. I would love for my kids to have jobs, but because of the education choices we've made for them (boarding school) it makes it impossible.

[TeniBear]

McDonald's employs 13yr olds ($6.50 an hour apparently no penalties for weekends etc)

That makes me nervous. Whoever the franchisee is at the McDonald's you got that information from could get in trouble for that - the official handbook says it's 14 plus 9 months, and even then only dining room duties until they're 15. (Hubby's a Macca's manager) It might be different state-to-state, but I remember it being nation-wide when I was reading it myself...

[Mildez]

Im going on what a yr10 student told me who was doing work experience so don't know how accurate her information was. She said woollies paid $8.50 no penalties and maccas $6.50 both for 13yr olds and the rates go up each year.

[Rouge]

Absolutely not. I'd be calling both head offices to find out. If they were open now I'd be doing it myself for you!

[Astrid]

$6.50 seems low, there should be a casual loading on top of that. Of about 1.23 or 1.25 depending on the state/agreement.

I work with some Fast food awards, don't think I have ever come across an employee who is under the age of 15. The main franchise I deal with is pretty consistent across the stores, across the states with what they pay.
The ages are a percentage of the adult wage. Basically reduce by 10% for every year under 21yo.

[diannescruffy]

DS15 has just got his first part time job and he receives $8.30 and it goes up $1 every year.

Regards,
Dianne

[Mildez]

DS15 has just got his first part time job and he receives $8.30 and it goes up $1 every year.

Regards,
Dianne

$8.50 at woolworths for a 13yr old sounds pretty good then. This is only going from what I was told of a 15yr old who was now working at a nursing home but started at Woolworths before she was 14. I'm not going to encourage DD. If she keeps nagging me down the track but I will let her apply. Maybe I can get her until she is 14 or 15 and she will be more mature then.

[AnyDream]

Instead of a job, do you think she might enjoy some other kind of community activities, like scouts or guides, etc. i don't know how scouts works, but for guides they have a number of "challenges" that the kids work towards, often heavily subsidised by their own fundraising activities. My DD has done things like rock climbing, challenge courses, sleepover at the zoo, etc. It encourages a sense of participating and being responsible, while encouraging the kids to relate to each other no matter what their differences are. Might be a good distraction for her.

[Gigi]

i would encourage her, if she was really keen, into jobs that have daytime hours. When paying teens is so cheap, i would worry she would get midnight - dawn shifts at fast food places, and also, think of yourself, because i assume you would have to go pick her up at knock off time - so you might have to drag the whole family off in the car, to go pick her up at 3am for example. (i have no idea of the ages of your other kids etc).

Having a job, CAN teach immature kids to grow up a bit, but still needs some backup - which i'm sure you would give her.

Does she know how to use a lawnmower? (ask locally, if anyone in your neighbourhood needs their lawns done).
Babysitting after school for working parents in your neighbourhood (only a few hours)
What is she good at - could she work as a swim tutor in the holidays or any other sport she is good at (to teach the beginners etc).

having a bank account, paying own expenses, saving up for a car/major goal, meeting the needs of the employer, all good things for her to learn, but maybe in moderation at this age, and maturity level. Who knows, she may cope fine, surprise you and be ready for a more full on part time job this time next year.

you sound like you care about her so much, that's wonderful. My parents gave me zero guidance when i first started earning, apart from demanding i pay board immed, so i blew all the money (minus the board) as i had no clue how to be a smart consumer, how to save, about goals, etc etc.