Would you let your teen work at a grocery store?

[Anonymous]

DS worked at a grocery store in HS. He didn't really like it, and he says the pay is less then restaurant jobs. He was treated well, though. No safety concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We found that grocery stores in our area won’t hire for summer only. They want the kids to stay during the school year, which doesn’t work for us.

We found this as well. However, if your teen can find a place to get trained and work limited hours now, they would be set for the summer.

Due to some health issues, my son is attending college part-time and working at Wegman's right now. They have been great about scheduling around his classes. The only downside is that he got COVID within weeks of starting, but that could happen anywhere. A plus is that they give you sick leave for up to 5 days if you are out with COVID (any of the five days within your isolation time that you were scheduled to work), so that was a plus.

[Anonymous]

Why are restaurants not a good idea? We have a few 16-year olds working and they are doing very well. The schedule is very flexible and if they cannot come, it's not a big deal. Others will simply run a little faster. We know they have school and school is more important.
We are hiring for host, food runner, and busser. They are very eager to become servers in no time. Servers can make up to $40 an hour, while the other positions pay $16-$20.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:16YO DS hasn't started search for summer job yet. I have heard restaurants are not a good idea and retail is struggling. Lots of grocery stores near us. Do they have summer hiring? Might be PT during school as well. What are the pros and cons?

Retail is struggling and it's boring to wait around all day. Grocery? Do people really eat more summer time? Many restaurants double in size summer time and that's why they need more help. OP, did you not work customer service or your spouse? Sounds like it.

[Anonymous]

I can't think of a job my 16 year old is legally allowed to hold that I wouldn't let her do (for example I wouldn't want her to work at a vape shop but under 18s aren't allowed to anyway). I would only say no if the logistics didn't work for me (DD needed a ride at an inconvenient time/place for example).

[Anonymous]

I worked at a grocery store similar to Whole Foods in high school and college. It was a great time. I worked a lot in summer and a few shifts during the year. I hope my son will do the same. It’s good for kids to work imo

[Anonymous]

I will offer a different perspective. I worked in both a grocery stores and restaurants in high school and college. In some cases I found that the management and long-time staff treated the high school and college students poorly. I eventually wised up and got a job in an office answering phones and cleaning filing cabinets. It still paid about minimum wage but was much more pleasant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course. Why would you be conflicted about it?

This. Don’t even understand the question.

another +1. Why is this a question? Is the grocery store in the 'hood or something?

[Anonymous]

I worked at a grocery store from 14 to 16. It wasn't much fun but it was an important life experience and I saved up a lot of money. Agree that girls should steer clear of the deli men and make sure they don't accept rides home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course. Why would you be conflicted about it?

This. Don’t even understand the question.

Agree. What makes you think restaurant work is a bad idea? It is fine and suitable for teens too

[Anonymous]

I’m from upstate NY and there were a ton of us working at the various Wegmans when we were in HS and on break from college. They were super flexible with sports schedules (I basically only worked occasional weekend shifts during my winter and spring sports season) and were always glad to have you pick up shifts while on breaks and during the summer. As other posters mentioned they also give out small college scholarships.

[Anonymous]

yes why not?

[Anonymous]

OP here.

I have never worked in a grocery store or a restaurant, which is why I asked for advice.

However, I have heard anecdotally that restaurant workers (gross generalization, I know) might be taking drugs and that it can be a high pressure environment. My kid does not handle pressure well.

Great idea to start soon PT. We will look into that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think working in a restaurant should be a requirement. Our DS will definitely work in the service industry for a year. Teaches communication skills and you learn a lot about human decency/lack there of.

Bonus of working in grocery store, future partner will be very thankful for a variety of reasons.

What ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

I have never worked in a grocery store or a restaurant, which is why I asked for advice.

However, I have heard anecdotally that restaurant workers (gross generalization, I know) might be taking drugs and that it can be a high pressure environment. My kid does not handle pressure well.

Great idea to start soon PT. We will look into that

Well, there’s probably drugs at your kid’s school too, you’re not going to prevent them from any exposure to that part of life. The “kitchen staff “ world can be a lot of things, and yes of course there are people who have lives a little more on the edge. And yes, depending on the kitchen it can be a high pressure environment so it’s not for everyone. But my kids have worked in kitchens for years and always had good experiences, there can be a real esprit de corps to be found there, and all kinds of skills to pick up along the way.