Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
84Kviews
Burger King Posts A Sign Asking Parents Of 14 And 15 Year Olds To Let Them Apply For Jobs And People Are Outraged
A fast-food restaurant in the United States has caused outrage after people saw that it was advertising work to teenagers. Normally, this wouldn’t be much of an issue, as there’s nothing wrong with getting a part-time job to learn the importance of money early on or helping out your struggling family. However, the current context—many restaurants not finding the employees they need because they’re not offering good enough conditions and pay—makes it seem like someone’s trying to take advantage of 14 and 15-year-old teens.
Naturally, once people got wind of Burger King’s ‘desperate’ ad in Ohio, they started poking fun at it on social media. Some joked about the fast-food restaurant supposedly conscripting kids into service while others pointed out that they’re now looking for teen workers because the adults aren’t biting.
Keep in mind, though, that it’s not illegal for teenagers to work in Ohio. But before we get into that, have a scroll down and check out some of the best responses to the BK ad. Upvote the tweets that you agree with and share your opinion about the situation in the comment section at the bottom of this list.
This post may include affiliate links.
RELATED:
In Ohio, the state’s child labor laws don’t allow children who are 13 or younger to work, except in some very limited situations. Meanwhile, 14 and 15-year-old teens are allowed to work in a variety of jobs, but there’s a limit to how many hours per day and per week they’re allowed to do that. Especially when school’s still in session.
Meanwhile, 16 and 17-year-olds living in Ohio can work a far broader range of jobs. However, the work cannot be deemed “too hazardous.”
#5
Vasana Phong 3 years ago
True, let’s see the outcome of this down the road, hopefully a good one
The regulations limiting work hours are necessary to prevent children from being exploited in the work industry. What’s more, the regulations put an emphasis on just how important their education is: it’s a priority and cannot be sacrificed for the sake of making a living.
#7
Thorfin Wolfsbane 3 years ago
I agree, but we need universal healthcare. Having healthcare dependent on your job is just stupid. How many people are staying in a crap job they hate just because they need healthcare insurance?
So while school is in session, 14 and 15-year-olds can’t work more than 3 hours on a school day while the maximum work hours for non-school days is capped at 8 hours. Furthermore, their maximum hours are also capped at 18 hours per week.
#10
Tracey Hirt 3 years ago
It’s disgusting that they are specifically targeting 14 and 15 year olds. In Ohio, employers can pay people under the age of 16 only the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25 per hour, which is less than Ohio’s Minimum Wage of $8.70. This is the point of BK going after the younger kids.
#11
Carol Emory 3 years ago
Mine asked me if I could still work my shift after I accidently stuck the first two fingers of my right hand in the fry vat chasing after a hashbrown that fell out of the rack. Most McDonald's suck.
#12
This essentially means that teens who are 14 and 15 can have a part-time job if they want. However, they shouldn’t expect to be earning a living wage like many grownup professionals. There is an exception, though, and that’s if they’ve enrolled in work-oriented programs or are doing vocational cooperative training. In that case, the cap is raised to 40 hours per week.
#15
Emilycookie 3 years ago
Jrizzy Jay, you are a truly toxic and hateful person and i hope with all of my being that you don't have children.
Meanwhile, by the time that Ohio’s teens reach 16 and 17 years of age, they have no restrictions on how many hours a day and per week they can be at their jobs. The only thing is that they cannot be working during those hours when they should be at school. What’s more, they can’t start work super early if they’ve been working very late, as they’re still growing and developing, so sleep is essential for them.
#17
Thorfin Wolfsbane 3 years ago
Answer: a capitalist society. Just look at early industrial American history. Children working in factories so the rich people could make bank.
Taking into consideration the current pandemic context and Ohio’s labor laws, what’s your opinion about Burger King’s ad? Do you think that people’s criticism of it online is justified or do you think that it went a tad overboard? Share your thoughts and feelings below.
#20
John Montgomery 3 years ago
I wonder if that's the point. Too tired to work at making the world a better place so it stays good for the Uber rich.
#21
Carol Emory 3 years ago
I actually worked at Burger King when I was a senior in High School. Our school district was different from the kids local to the Burger King location. Their school district went on strike. Mine did not. So fast forward a few weeks and our Burger King was notorious for being slow in the middle of the week making the manager release people early from their shift. He would always let the other kids go and keep me on. When I asked why I couldn't go, he referenced seniority. I said, "Do any of them have a chemistry or AP test in the morning? Because I do." When he said my education didn't matter...I quit on the spot.
#22
Sheila Stamey 3 years ago
Because rosie wouldn't take that crud. ( Thinking dearly of Rosie the Riveter!)
#23
Jessica Otto 3 years ago
I was an assistant manager at a Casey's (petrol station chain for those outside the states) and everyone from the regular customers to new employees knew me as Momma Jess. Why is that? Because if you mess with one of my employees/coworkers momma bear's claws will come out. I will NOT stand for people treating service employees like garbage just because they can. I have one rule, come in peace or leave in pieces.
#25
#29
Kristin Ingersoll 3 years ago
Why would fast food work be a must??? I agree that a customer service job is a must. But there are other ways to get the experience without resorting to this kind of abuse. You can get experience being abused by corporations, management, and the public as a server in a sit-down restaurant too. But (yes, yes, we know, the US tipping thing is terrible and makes us a horrible country), with tips, most decent restauarants pay a wage a college student could live with (maybe not independent adults, although the server job I had was very lucrative).
#32
Sheila Stamey 3 years ago
Also it seems to be pushing that "when I was your age" button. I wanted my kids to have a better idea of what a career was than what I HAD to resort to doing. It's almost like it's punishment. But hey that's what it would be I guess.
#38
Vasana Phong 3 years ago
Ahh, i remember 3.75$ back in late 80’s as a cashier at waldbaums(14yo)
#39
Analyn Lahr 3 years ago
I don't know, kids these days seem to be pretty knowledgeable about what's up.
#40
#42
Sheila Stamey 3 years ago
Or telling the first Karen's to kiss it. Cause today's kids got some sass 😅. And I love it!!
#45
Participationtrophy 3 years ago
I remember when it was only kids in fast food. It is a minimal skilled job after all
#54
Susan Betz 3 years ago
Agreed. If a 14-15 year old wants to work, they can look around for lawns to mow or kids to babysit. Fast food is soul-sucking.
#56
Anna McHugh 3 years ago
Except it's not boomer parents who'd have 14 or 15 year old kids. It's people my age - I'm 42. And I'd never push my kids to put up with this sort of s**t.
#61
Yayaboobo 3 years ago
Consider this: Most of the adults that work at low paying jobs and have children are on some type of government assistance. Whatever your child earns counts against your household and will be extracted dollar for dollar from your subsidy. There is absolutely no incentive for anyone on assistance to have themselves or their children, for that matter, work.
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Carol Emory 3 years ago
I've worked enough fast food that I would never subject a teenager to that. I'd rather let them mow lawns or shovel driveways. They are their own boss and they can choose when to work. They will eventually become adults working on someone else's schedule. But for now...let them be kids.
Kenny Kulbiski 3 years ago
Jeez, economics is complicated. When prices go up on products businesses say it's supply and demand, basic capitalism and keep the government out of my business. When there's a labor shortage it's socialism and the government has to do something. Apparently capitalism just works one way.
LittleMissLotus 3 years ago
I think that everybody here who's saying "oh my gosh, kids work!! It's a part of life!!" are missing the point. Kids can work, sure, but they should be paid fair wages and treated well. This is a bit predatory that they're now specifically targeting children here when they have a worker shortage due to adults realizing what crappy conditions they work in.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Per INC magazine this month: If minimum wages only rise 10%? Costs will go up.... 1.4% for, say, a Big M*c.... (Princeton niversity Study). While there is a short-term squeeze, it evens out. The founder of FTerry's Burger Stand raised wages to $15 from $12, and only raised prices 2% to cover HALF that. The company absorbed the rest, but found happier workers earning $5K more a year, and their business *increased*. The founder even remarked he was "embarrassed by how easy it was". (Also INC magazine May/June 2021)
Thorfin Wolfsbane 3 years ago
Maybe some corporate executives could flip some burgers and see what it's like to do actual work that brings in money. They may just have a change of heart like Scrooge did.
Kaori Panda 3 years ago
As a 15-year-old myself, there is no way in hell I'm taking that job. There are many more jobs where I get paid properly and don't require me to give up my sanity.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
I made it a day at BK as a 15-year-old. You're surrounded by adults who got the job as part of their drug rehab program, just got out of jail for violent felonies, anyone who'll work for shi* in shi**y conditions. THEY ARE KIDS.
Ambar 3 years ago
here ima lay this out right now, I have NEVER wanted to work at a fast-food restaurant unless times were too tough for me or my family, and this just confirmed that for me. for one thing, they are HUMAN BEINGS with feelings, a life, and needs! you can't just make them work however u want them to! second, there are laws on child labor and they just broke about 800 of them and need to pay $250,000. it makes me sad that ADULTS are trying to take advantage of kids and teens
Savannah Mcquillan 3 years ago
TIMEOUT!! ACTUAL 14-15 year old here. I personally have been striving to get a job and save up for a truck and college and all that. I am about to start working as a dog walker and a FREAKING DEER PROCESSOR. You realize how nasty and awesome that will be. I personally would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have a job at Burger King. So can y'all just shut it and let us pick if we want to work or not. I personally need to if I want the vehicle I do and if working off less than minimum wage is what I want to do to earn it then it should be MY DECISION!
Tracy Costa 3 years ago
So is there no insurance hike for having a child on the deep fryer? That is so many disasters waiting to happen.
Sky Render 3 years ago
This is what happens when a corrupted capitalist system loses its hold over its workforce. Those who have been acting as the oppressing force, desperate to hold onto their wrongful gains, try to find new avenues of exploitation. That worked much better back in the day before it became so easy to spread information so fast, and especially before visual and audio evidence became easy to provide.
Alexis Draskinis 3 years ago
I started in food service at 17. I dont recommend it. It'll suck you in for life!!!!!
CatWoman312 3 years ago
I worked as a cashier during high school and all through college. I had to ask for a raise every year and the raise was only be a quarter every time. So in my 4 years with this company I went from $5.20 to $5.95. I quit when I started college as I thought it was a waste to commute if I was just paying my own gas anyway. (This was early 2000’s when minimum wages was $5.15)
Dave McDonald 3 years ago
This is such an American problem. Burger King, McDonald's, etc all employ a s**t load of teens in my country I don't see the problem with them learning how to function in a work environment etc.
neonn_pieee 3 years ago
A 14/15 year old having to deal with a screaming, angry, entitled customer would get shook and possibly piss their pants. I'm 32f and when I have to deal with entitled, screaming assholes in my salon from time to time, my anxiety goes through the rough and my whole body is shaky in the aftermath as I'm trying to finish a haircut. It's a really shitty feeling. I've dealt with people like this for many years but I still get shaky afterwards. A client of mine had said that McDonald's and such weren't meant for living wages. He said they were meant for after school/summer jobs for kids. Idk how accurate that is but if it was true, the times are definitely changing and so should the pay from these companies.
Participationtrophy 3 years ago
At 16 I worked at Pizza Hut to pay my car insurance, gas and have money for things I wanted. It's a job that requires very minimal skills that basically anyone can do. So what makes anyone think it should provide a livable wage as it's referred to ? Pay attention in school and get a decent job that requires some skill or thought. No I don't think the idiot that can't read the "no pickels" on my order should make $15 an hour. That's ridiculous.
Elena N.Akasha 3 years ago
big deal,they make their own pocket money,learn responsibility, thats not child labor!!!! child labor are the kids making Nike shoes for eg. my first job at 13 mind you was at a supermarket & pancake parlor!
Anna Repp 3 years ago
I see nothing wrong with 14-15 trying to get a job. I got my first job at 15, my kid got her first job at 15. It is healthy for the kids to start learning some adult stuff. As long as the job is only a few hours a week, does not interfere with school and other activities and is in a healthy environment, I think it is fine for 15 y.o. to try things out. However, fast food places with horrible working conditions and unreasonable hours are not the places to work when you are 14.
Lisa Chambers 3 years ago
Let's see. We have pure fantasy. A somewhat slippery grasp of economics, and the utter shameful attempt at trying to sell the storyline of "a childhood well spent" where in reality, children actually do more adult activities between age 12-17 than they will after age 18. Sounds like a side plot of a video game story in some, and some suspect education in others. Great submission. I learned a lot.
Hugo Raible 3 years ago
For sure I wouldn't want my kid to work in such a job. Let them do something which brings them experience in fields more relevant than burger flipping.
Random Anon 3 years ago
I started working before 14. Yes, it taught me a lot of how the world and people work. It is invaluable experience. But it also felt like punishment. In hindsight, I do think it's too much too early.
jeanette scott 3 years ago
I started working at 14 because my mom couldn't afford to hand me a car or, really, even a chocolate bar. It taught me A LOT about work ethic and dealing with jerks
Bruce Mills 3 years ago
I am honestly curious here. In Australia, when I was a teen, just about everywhere was staffed by teenagers. It felt like 80%+ of all grocery store and fast food staff were teens. I worked for Coles(Grocery store) from 15 to almost 18, and we had some 14 year olds working there. It was the norm, it was seen as giving a chance to young people to earn money. I was grateful for having a job. Why is it seen as so opposite now?
James Randall 3 years ago
Capitalism is beyond broke and if this doesn't prove it, we're all as stupid and disgusting as Burger King.
Shelli Aderman 3 years ago
Realizing this is a single franchise choice. On their own website, they state you have to be 16... 🤷🏽♀️ https://careers.bk.com/job-opportunities
Kirstie Gregory 3 years ago
My first job was at Burger King when I was 14. All of my friends had jobs. That was 25 years ago. Are kids so fragile now they can't work??
Carpeton 3 years ago
I do not understand so many complains about Burguer King (or McDonalds or...), while Amazon (and most other similar platforms) are doing the same, and others the same in Asian countries? Why is J. Bezos (and so many other "touched" businessmen) excluded from the same criticism.
Jöe FlargnBlurgn 3 years ago
Why are people outraged that they will hire teens to work? My first job was A&W at the age of 13, I made $4.10 an hour. More kids need to get off their asses and get a job, get some of that entitlement worked off this generation.
Queen Jackson. 3 years ago
I don’t see it as child labor, but I don’t disagree with this post either. If the adults think it’s horrible, I’m not letting my kid go through that job either.
Carol Emory 3 years ago
I've worked enough fast food that I would never subject a teenager to that. I'd rather let them mow lawns or shovel driveways. They are their own boss and they can choose when to work. They will eventually become adults working on someone else's schedule. But for now...let them be kids.
Kenny Kulbiski 3 years ago
Jeez, economics is complicated. When prices go up on products businesses say it's supply and demand, basic capitalism and keep the government out of my business. When there's a labor shortage it's socialism and the government has to do something. Apparently capitalism just works one way.
LittleMissLotus 3 years ago
I think that everybody here who's saying "oh my gosh, kids work!! It's a part of life!!" are missing the point. Kids can work, sure, but they should be paid fair wages and treated well. This is a bit predatory that they're now specifically targeting children here when they have a worker shortage due to adults realizing what crappy conditions they work in.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Per INC magazine this month: If minimum wages only rise 10%? Costs will go up.... 1.4% for, say, a Big M*c.... (Princeton niversity Study). While there is a short-term squeeze, it evens out. The founder of FTerry's Burger Stand raised wages to $15 from $12, and only raised prices 2% to cover HALF that. The company absorbed the rest, but found happier workers earning $5K more a year, and their business *increased*. The founder even remarked he was "embarrassed by how easy it was". (Also INC magazine May/June 2021)
Thorfin Wolfsbane 3 years ago
Maybe some corporate executives could flip some burgers and see what it's like to do actual work that brings in money. They may just have a change of heart like Scrooge did.
Kaori Panda 3 years ago
As a 15-year-old myself, there is no way in hell I'm taking that job. There are many more jobs where I get paid properly and don't require me to give up my sanity.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
I made it a day at BK as a 15-year-old. You're surrounded by adults who got the job as part of their drug rehab program, just got out of jail for violent felonies, anyone who'll work for shi* in shi**y conditions. THEY ARE KIDS.
Ambar 3 years ago
here ima lay this out right now, I have NEVER wanted to work at a fast-food restaurant unless times were too tough for me or my family, and this just confirmed that for me. for one thing, they are HUMAN BEINGS with feelings, a life, and needs! you can't just make them work however u want them to! second, there are laws on child labor and they just broke about 800 of them and need to pay $250,000. it makes me sad that ADULTS are trying to take advantage of kids and teens
Savannah Mcquillan 3 years ago
TIMEOUT!! ACTUAL 14-15 year old here. I personally have been striving to get a job and save up for a truck and college and all that. I am about to start working as a dog walker and a FREAKING DEER PROCESSOR. You realize how nasty and awesome that will be. I personally would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have a job at Burger King. So can y'all just shut it and let us pick if we want to work or not. I personally need to if I want the vehicle I do and if working off less than minimum wage is what I want to do to earn it then it should be MY DECISION!
Tracy Costa 3 years ago
So is there no insurance hike for having a child on the deep fryer? That is so many disasters waiting to happen.
Sky Render 3 years ago
This is what happens when a corrupted capitalist system loses its hold over its workforce. Those who have been acting as the oppressing force, desperate to hold onto their wrongful gains, try to find new avenues of exploitation. That worked much better back in the day before it became so easy to spread information so fast, and especially before visual and audio evidence became easy to provide.
Alexis Draskinis 3 years ago
I started in food service at 17. I dont recommend it. It'll suck you in for life!!!!!
CatWoman312 3 years ago
I worked as a cashier during high school and all through college. I had to ask for a raise every year and the raise was only be a quarter every time. So in my 4 years with this company I went from $5.20 to $5.95. I quit when I started college as I thought it was a waste to commute if I was just paying my own gas anyway. (This was early 2000’s when minimum wages was $5.15)
Dave McDonald 3 years ago
This is such an American problem. Burger King, McDonald's, etc all employ a s**t load of teens in my country I don't see the problem with them learning how to function in a work environment etc.
neonn_pieee 3 years ago
A 14/15 year old having to deal with a screaming, angry, entitled customer would get shook and possibly piss their pants. I'm 32f and when I have to deal with entitled, screaming assholes in my salon from time to time, my anxiety goes through the rough and my whole body is shaky in the aftermath as I'm trying to finish a haircut. It's a really shitty feeling. I've dealt with people like this for many years but I still get shaky afterwards. A client of mine had said that McDonald's and such weren't meant for living wages. He said they were meant for after school/summer jobs for kids. Idk how accurate that is but if it was true, the times are definitely changing and so should the pay from these companies.
Participationtrophy 3 years ago
At 16 I worked at Pizza Hut to pay my car insurance, gas and have money for things I wanted. It's a job that requires very minimal skills that basically anyone can do. So what makes anyone think it should provide a livable wage as it's referred to ? Pay attention in school and get a decent job that requires some skill or thought. No I don't think the idiot that can't read the "no pickels" on my order should make $15 an hour. That's ridiculous.
Elena N.Akasha 3 years ago
big deal,they make their own pocket money,learn responsibility, thats not child labor!!!! child labor are the kids making Nike shoes for eg. my first job at 13 mind you was at a supermarket & pancake parlor!
Anna Repp 3 years ago
I see nothing wrong with 14-15 trying to get a job. I got my first job at 15, my kid got her first job at 15. It is healthy for the kids to start learning some adult stuff. As long as the job is only a few hours a week, does not interfere with school and other activities and is in a healthy environment, I think it is fine for 15 y.o. to try things out. However, fast food places with horrible working conditions and unreasonable hours are not the places to work when you are 14.
Lisa Chambers 3 years ago
Let's see. We have pure fantasy. A somewhat slippery grasp of economics, and the utter shameful attempt at trying to sell the storyline of "a childhood well spent" where in reality, children actually do more adult activities between age 12-17 than they will after age 18. Sounds like a side plot of a video game story in some, and some suspect education in others. Great submission. I learned a lot.
Hugo Raible 3 years ago
For sure I wouldn't want my kid to work in such a job. Let them do something which brings them experience in fields more relevant than burger flipping.
Random Anon 3 years ago
I started working before 14. Yes, it taught me a lot of how the world and people work. It is invaluable experience. But it also felt like punishment. In hindsight, I do think it's too much too early.
jeanette scott 3 years ago
I started working at 14 because my mom couldn't afford to hand me a car or, really, even a chocolate bar. It taught me A LOT about work ethic and dealing with jerks
Bruce Mills 3 years ago
I am honestly curious here. In Australia, when I was a teen, just about everywhere was staffed by teenagers. It felt like 80%+ of all grocery store and fast food staff were teens. I worked for Coles(Grocery store) from 15 to almost 18, and we had some 14 year olds working there. It was the norm, it was seen as giving a chance to young people to earn money. I was grateful for having a job. Why is it seen as so opposite now?
James Randall 3 years ago
Capitalism is beyond broke and if this doesn't prove it, we're all as stupid and disgusting as Burger King.
Shelli Aderman 3 years ago
Realizing this is a single franchise choice. On their own website, they state you have to be 16... 🤷🏽♀️ https://careers.bk.com/job-opportunities
Kirstie Gregory 3 years ago
My first job was at Burger King when I was 14. All of my friends had jobs. That was 25 years ago. Are kids so fragile now they can't work??
Carpeton 3 years ago
I do not understand so many complains about Burguer King (or McDonalds or...), while Amazon (and most other similar platforms) are doing the same, and others the same in Asian countries? Why is J. Bezos (and so many other "touched" businessmen) excluded from the same criticism.
Jöe FlargnBlurgn 3 years ago
Why are people outraged that they will hire teens to work? My first job was A&W at the age of 13, I made $4.10 an hour. More kids need to get off their asses and get a job, get some of that entitlement worked off this generation.
Queen Jackson. 3 years ago
I don’t see it as child labor, but I don’t disagree with this post either. If the adults think it’s horrible, I’m not letting my kid go through that job either.
You May Like 40 Of The Biggest Double Standards In Society, According To People Online Teen Tired Of Asking Extended Family To Call Him By His Real Name, Starts Ignoring Them
Mindaugas Balčiauskas
Monika Pašukonytė
Related on Bored Panda
