Tired of this...

[Justsomegirl]

If it maks your resume look weaker don't put it on there. And I think you are young yet and when you are older you won't need it anyways.

[XCashier]

Might I suggest asking one of them just come to the park one random work day (preferably a busy one) -- and have them observe you from a distance? Preferably when you don't know that they're actually present, if possible. It sounds to me like they simply do not BELIEVE that the place is all that bad.

My parents did not believe how awful my customers were when I worked at the Drug Store From Hell. People who are not sucky customers themselves do not comprehend that there are people who are. It Does Not Compute.

I like this idea, of having them observe you on a standard day and seeing what your job is like. Some folks just cannot understand anything outside their own mindset until they actually see it with their own two eyes.

I wish you the best of luck, and hope you can get that library job. It sounds really nice (I'd love a library job myself!)

[Mikkel]

Yeah, I think you may just need to pull rank on your parents on this one. Do the interview at the library and see what happens.

I don't know, I think octopi23s parents are wrong but if they can be convinced in a month or so, the consequences would be so much more pleasant.
There are so many ways parents can punish a teenager without being legally abusive.

[MaseMan]

Yeah, I think you may just need to pull rank on your parents on this one. Do the interview at the library and see what happens.

[AccountingDrone]

Oh, and the kicker? Once I get my DL in two weeks, I pay for my own gas. Keep in mind I'd save 30 miles commute (about 1.5 gal) a day. Fuck my parents! I can't even find a pretense to quit.

You are 16, the job at the library is close to you. Dude, grow a pair, quit, tell your parental units to sod off and get a freaking bicycle and cycle to work. Unless you are a gimp like me, do it. I started working at age 15, and rode a bike to work for the first year and saved until I did the emancipated youth thing at 16 and moved out, and got a car with a full drivers license. What can they do, lock you in your bedroom? If they try, call the cops for unlawful restraint. Locking you up for quitting a job and getting a different one would be laughed at so hard the cops would probably fall down and pee themselves.

[searssoulslave]

I'm having a hard time believing that the amusement park isn't violating some kind of law against minors labor. When I was 17 I HAD to take a break after 5 hours that was at least 30 minutes long and was not allowed to work past 9 PM because of school. Your parents sound like their resentful of the fact that you are questioning their authority and on that bias are unwilling to consider your viewpoint. I'm of the mindset that you should go and try and get another job library or not that is more accommodating for you. If they expect you to act like an adult (Pay for your own gas, have a job) then they should treat your opinions as an adults too. Don't just quit because that just shows what they are essentially arguing that you're being immature and undisciplined. Find something else THEN quit. But I've always been a bit rebellious so be careful about my advice ok?

[octopi23]

Ugh. I feel so sorry for you.

My ex had an uncle that was of the same mindset. He actually worked himself sick in his own business because of it, and couldn't see anything wrong with actively causing himself to be unable to work by working too hard. >.<

Unfortunately, you are living in an information age with parents who are trying to make you conform to industrial-age standards, and it appears that they don't have any interest in pulling their heads out of the sand to take a look at the new world around them.

I don't have any advice, however, on how you can manage to let them know that there is a difference between "discipline" and "bending over and taking it," as they seem dedicated to not learning anything different than what they expect.

I wish you luck and suggest that you display actual discipline by saving your money in a manner where it won't be taken away or lost so that should the need and opportunity arise, you can take more control over your own life.

^-.-^

Oh, and the kicker? Once I get my DL in two weeks, I pay for my own gas. Keep in mind I'd save 30 miles commute (about 1.5 gal) a day. Fuck my parents! I can't even find a pretense to quit.

[Andara Bledin]

Apparently, I need to learn discipline, and quitting at "Seven Flags" means I'd be running away from that job. However, where is the line between learning discipline and being taken advantage of? They're absolutely refusing to listen.

Ugh. I feel so sorry for you.

My ex had an uncle that was of the same mindset. He actually worked himself sick in his own business because of it, and couldn't see anything wrong with actively causing himself to be unable to work by working too hard. >.<

Unfortunately, you are living in an information age with parents who are trying to make you conform to industrial-age standards, and it appears that they don't have any interest in pulling their heads out of the sand to take a look at the new world around them.

I don't have any advice, however, on how you can manage to let them know that there is a difference between "discipline" and "bending over and taking it," as they seem dedicated to not learning anything different than what they expect.

I wish you luck and suggest that you display actual discipline by saving your money in a manner where it won't be taken away or lost so that should the need and opportunity arise, you can take more control over your own life.

^-.-^

[Andara Bledin]

Ok, I know a lot of kids thing their parents are unreasonable. But in my professional opinion,

Octopi, your parents are being completely unreasonable.

Since the 90's, no one in hiring really care how many jobs you've worked if you show good reasons for moving around. Good reasons include losing the job for one reason or another (not fired! shop closes, temp work, ect.) or bettering yourself money- or time-wise. Your parents are stuck in a different time, and do not have a grasp of the realities of the current workplace.

Your parents are officially broken and are basing their decisions on the wrong era.

The advice Geek King gave is good. Even professional hiring publications are telling hiring departments not to discount people just because they've moved around a bit.

One article rebutting an article against job hoppers in start up companies noted that loyalty has to be a two-way street and that employees have to consider their own well-being before that of the company.

Oh, and nothing you do before you leave high school (and in some cases, college) tends to matter, anyway, unless it's something phenomenal.

^-.-^

[EricKei]

You are being taken advantage of by the "fair". That line has already been crossed.

I'm sorry that you are in that situation.

Perhaps they will come around with time. Might I suggest asking one of them just come to the park one random work day (preferably a busy one) -- and have them observe you from a distance? Preferably when you don't know that they're actually present, if possible. It sounds to me like they simply do not BELIEVE that the place is all that bad.

You may wanna check your state's local labor site, too (it's best that you NOT mention which state in here; anonymity is wise) -- They usually decide how long minors can work.

[octopi23]

Apparently, I need to learn discipline, and quitting at "Seven Flags" means I'd be running away from that job. However, where is the line between learning discipline and being taken advantage of? They're absolutely refusing to listen.

[Julesy]

the world is very different now than when our parents were our age. My Dad kept his job for 30 years, but that's almost unheard of now.
If you can get a teacher or repected neighbour/uncle to support your job hunting and explaining to your parents, that might be useful.
otherwise, be reasured that you are in the right, and that later, your correct and sensible attitude will help you get a better job, even if it ain't going right right now.
good luck.

I agree especially with the bolded, and especially after the last update.
It sounds like it is really time for a reasonable adult to step in.

[octopi23]

Wait --

You're a minor, and they have you working ten hours...??

File this under "to the best of my knowledge":

Unless they are giving you two hours worth of breaks, evenly spaced-out across the work day, that is BLATANTLY illegal. As in, see if your parents will speak to the Labor Dept on your behalf -- research it for them, make it easy ^_^

Not allowing someone to use the restroom when it is "needed" is illegal, as well.

Excuse this other double post, but I checked the DoL website, and nothing breaks the law, unfortunately. I'm waiting for a reason to quit. They once extended the time of my break last season to compensate for me being late to leave, but that was at least a year ago.

[octopi23]

You will just have to talk about something else. Why don't you tell them, in excruciating detail, all about the suckiness you have to deal with every day from customers, coworkers and bosses? Repeatedly, ad nauseam, etc.



Gee, that would mean you would have to find another job.

And they wouldn't let me look for another one.

[EricKei]

Wait --

You're a minor, and they have you working ten hours...??

File this under "to the best of my knowledge":

Unless they are giving you two hours worth of breaks, evenly spaced-out across the work day, that is BLATANTLY illegal. As in, see if your parents will speak to the Labor Dept on your behalf -- research it for them, make it easy ^_^

Not allowing someone to use the restroom when it is "needed" is illegal, as well.