How to help your kids if they have a bad boss at their part-time job

It’s a rite of passage – the part-time job. As our children approach the legal age for working they start to think about where they want to work, which jobs are available and what they need to do to become employable. 

Their friends secure jobs at local supermarkets, fast food outlets, as sports coaches or referees for games and we encourage them to do the same because we know the joy and independence that follows when we make our own money.

And we know that having a job outside of the home will teach our children such valuable lessons about the world of work, and other people, and punctuality and, dare I mention it, cleanliness, reliability and responsibility. Part-time jobs are ‘character-building’ for young people in a myriad of ways.

The last thing our kids need is their parents interfering at this crucial time in their development, but we must make sure we keep an eye on what is going on for them in their workplaces.

Not every manager knows how to manage staff. When I think back to some of the people who were in charge of teams of teenage workers when I was at my first job at a fast food outlet, I realize they were barely out of their teens themselves. They had very little management experience and next to no life experience to draw on.

So what happens when your teens have a bad boss? How do we help them? We can’t go storming in and telling the boss what we think; it’s not our place.

We have to give our kids the tools to deal with these situations themselves and empower them to make decisions about their own working conditions. The strategies they employ now to set boundaries and communicate with their superiors will set them up for success throughout their professional lives.

When your teenagers start their first job, ask them questions about their training, especially if they’re in a fast food working environment where kitchen safety may be an issue.

Ensure they’ve been trained in first aid and if they haven’t, direct them to Worksafe who can advise them about their rights and responsibilities.

If your child’s job involves heavy lifting or machinery, make sure they’ve had adequate training before they’re left alone to operate dangerous equipment appropriately.

I’m still haunted by this Worksafe video from 2008 which shows young people who are anxious and reluctant to ask questions at work then end up injured. Show a couple of these clips to your teens as they head off to their job each day, just to hammer the point home. 

Make sure your children know their rights when it comes to their contracted hours and that they know how to set boundaries with their boss/bosses if the rosters are unreasonable.

Sometimes, kids apply for a job because their friends work at the same place, or it just seems like the right thing to do. But if your child really hates their work, it may not be the right job or workplace for them. Think about their strengths and weaknesses as a person and see if you can guide them towards a better fit. 

There is also the possibility that it might be that they’re not quite ready to work yet. Young people have a lot on their plates with school, sport, friendships and hormones all competing for their attention and energy.

If this is the case, teach them how to give notice, rather than quitting, or fading away. Knowing how to resign respectfully is just as important as being punctual, loyal and conscientious.

As always, with teenagers, educate them by keeping them talking. Discuss the working conditions and employee relationships at your own workplace. Talk about unions and collective action, help them understand why the safety rules exist and why the management structure is in place. 

If you need more information about minimum working age or conditions or you have any concerns about the safety of your teenagers when they are at work, you can contact the Fair work ombudsman.