- NEW!
by Anonymous on August 26th, 2009
That poor kid. It is time for Mother to let go a bit. If I was the one doing the interviewing I would have asked the mother to leave.
by The Chief on August 26th, 2009
Hmmmmm....
I'd need to know WHY the mother is sitting in on the interview. I'd also have to talk to the mother myself on this, because the expectation I would have as a business hiring someone for a receptionist job would be that THAT person would be doing the job...and NOT have a bunch of friends or relatives always hanging around while she does it.
There may be valid reasons behind the mother's actions that have nothing to do with your business. She may be protective of her daughter due to past experiences. She may be watching how her daughter performs because of other performance issues the girl has. Or she may just be one of those overbearing, controlling mothers.
It WOULD tend to put me off in terms of wanting to hire the girl...but so long as the expectations of the job were to be met by the individual interviewed, I would likely still consider her to be in the running.
Anything more I couldn't really say without having experienced those circumstances in hiring someone myself.
by -Icy- on August 26th, 2009
no she would not be hired. +5
by Old School on August 26th, 2009
Actually, I think it's very appropriate.
The girl is under the age of majority and cannot legally sign an employment contract without parental permission.
Hence, the parent has every right and, I believe, an obligation to understand the circumstances of his/her child's employment.
Of course, the parent be present at the interview is somewhat awkward for the interviewer. To which I say "Tough noogies".
by my2cents--Vote for Paul on August 26th, 2009
No. Completely inappropiate. The mother should have waited outside. or even in the car without even going in at all. The mother will probably be a pain at the job. Especially if the girl is a bad worker.
by Yarnlady is happy every day on August 26th, 2009
I question the basic premise of hiring a 16 year old girl in the first place. I would never allow a daughter of mine (if I had one) to be alone in a room with a stranger.
by jazzlady1028 on August 26th, 2009
I feel the mother should have been present with her daughter in the waiting area, but not gone in with her daughter for the interview - it was not her place to do so. She should have waited in the outer area, but as a compromise, when the interviewer came out to escort her daughter in, she could have said - "Hello - I'm her mother, so if there is any additional information you may need, just let me know." Of course - that is a "given" - but at least then, she could feel like she has some part in what's going on. But the interview should not include the mother - how is the girl going to grow up independently that way? "Over-mothering" or "smothering" by parents as it could be called, in the mid- to late teens is what can cause many youth to rebel and run away from home. There is a fine line between rules & limits, guidance, vigilance, and letting the youth "spread their wings" and start learning about functioning autonomously in the world - tricky business, I know - I raised two daughters who are now 18 and 23, and altho' I love them dearly and they are basically "good kids" doing their respective "thing" (younger one is now away at college - first year!), there has been very little that was easy about it!! To sum it up - parenting is a DAUNTING task and the easiest part is actually when they are babies!!! It's when they become teens that the greatest challenges begin. Just "words of wisdom" from a baby boomer here!!...
by Chicago Lady on August 26th, 2009
I would need a lot more information before answering.
Why do you want a 16 year old full time in your front office? What kind of establishment is it? What do your state laws allow?
I presume she lives at home and her Mother has charge of her. Likely she wants to protect her and prefers she finish highschool rather than work full time.
There may be other problems of which you are completely unaware. Conduct a background check as best you can, although juvenile criminal records are often sealed.
With all the potential legal exposure, and the huge applicant pool of qualified candidates in this economy, it seems on the surface more advantageous for you to hire an adult.
Good question; +5
by Thriftymaid on August 26th, 2009
Yes. The last time I had reason to know, a 16 year old had to have parental consent to work. Also, if the job was during school hours, the school had to also provide permission. So, yes I think that the parent has a right to be there.
by Normal guy on August 26th, 2009
Why would you want a 16 year old as a receptionist?
by Timjon on August 26th, 2009
If the girl is too young to be in an interview without her mother present, then she is too young to work for you. Perhaps you should hire someone older.
by DaniD on August 26th, 2009
I think its appropriate considering she is still a minor.
by Jenniferocious on August 26th, 2009
No. The girl is the one interviewing for the position, she's the one who has to answer the interview questions, impress whoever's hiring, and show she should be the one to get the job. If hired, she's the one who has to show up for work, do her job duties, and she's the one who gets paid.
Mommies (and daddies) have no place in their child's job interview.
If she needed to be there to give her daughter a ride, she should have waited outside.
by Daisygirl on August 26th, 2009
My 1st though coming into this question is mommy needs to cut the umbilical, but Old School has a point, on the other hand maybe the mother is distrusting and thinks maybe the daughter would give fictious answers to not get the job. But she also needs to let the girl make her own decisions. I don't know, it seemed a bit awkward and I do believe the mother should have waited outside and waited for her invitation rather then assume she were welcomed.
by Simply99 -- Not a fan favorite. on August 26th, 2009
Not in the least. If she wants to play adult and seek employment in the adult world, she should than act like an adult.
by Blue Tiger. on August 26th, 2009
Unless until girl turn 18, her parents have legal right to interfere.
by fantasy child on August 26th, 2009
+6 :)
by Shemarq the Wamama on August 26th, 2009
Absolutely not. What a whack job for a mother. That poor kid.
by Universe Of Life on August 26th, 2009
Yes! ... what would you need to ask a 16 year old that a parent should not hear ... It's nice to know that a parent cares enough to feel the need to be there ...
Exploitation is a major issue within many fields from those employing the young ...
Good on that parent.
Peace
by john pennington on August 26th, 2009
She is still a minor and i congratulate her mother for being with her and being interested in the type work her daughter will be doing.
There is nothing wrong with this at all.
More parents should interests in their children like this lady.
Hats off to mom.
by 08Busa on August 26th, 2009
If you want to hire a minor you should expect to see a parent or 2 in the interniew with them.
by buttkisses on August 26th, 2009
I don't think this was appropriate at all. This would of led me to believe as an employer that she was not ready for a job. The impression would of been : The 16 yr old is timid, immature and incapable of doing the job required and the mother is over bearing. It may not of been the reasons why the mother was there but first impressions are the lasting.
I would not of hired her, no matter what her skills were. I wouldn't want to have to deal with the mother every time there was a problem at work.
I cannot imagine an interview like this! It must of been very uncomfortable for everyone involved!
by Seeya says Dont Ever Give Up on August 26th, 2009
I would have told the 16 year old that she was not ready for an interview or job with the company, and led them to the door as I was saying it. this would send the correct message to both.
How do I answer teaching interview questions?
by Answerbag Staff on May 2nd, 2010
| 1 person likes this
How do I answer interview questions regarding weakness?
by Answerbag Staff on April 28th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Do you think I got this job?
by stevo7861 on October 6th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
i had an interview wed and now its late fri night, they said they would call me friday but have not, what do i do now?
by jones46 on October 28th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Should I call the company I interviewed with to inquire if they've made a decision?
by jenfro on September 26th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
You're reading Yesterday, we were interviewing a 16 year old girl for a receptionist position in our office who brought her mother, who insisted in sitting in at the interview. Do you think this is appropriate?
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments
Took the words from my mouth =]
by Erebus on August 26th, 2009
Thanks skeeter. Believe me, we tried.
by Dodgy Dog in a Sable COAT on August 26th, 2009