I don't know if I'm posting this in the right place, but here goes. There has been a lot of snow here recently, which I can't handle. Three boys came over today asking to shovel my driveway and car. That was good. They were around 12 or 13 years old. I had to decide what to pay and gave them 20 bucks, for an hour, but I think it was heavy snow. I hope that will get them motivated to do work. Did I pay them enough?

Would you do it was fair? you were there. It depends on if they gave you a solid hour of work... how big the job was etc. If you feel guilty, probably not

I would have asked them first what they wanted for payment.

I think $20 is fair for an hour's work. It might be better to ask the boys how much they expect and then negotiate a price. I googled it and most are paying teenagers between $10 and $30, depending on how much work is involved.

Since it was 3 boys, maybe giving each $10 or an amount that is easily divided between the three. But that could get expensive if they decide to bring a couple more kids with them, so a flat rate might be best.

Did the boys seem like they were happy with what you gave them?

More than fair.

I did ask the kids before how much they wanted. They said, whatever I wanted to pay. It wasn't a really large area, but had to be heavy snow, so hope that it was good for all of us.

You paid them basically $6.67/hr.
That's not a living wage.
You are perpetuating the child-adult age wage gap and keeping them in poverty.

Did you at least contact all other snow removal companies in the area in order to determine an industry average?
As well as your lawyer to determine whether or not you were in violation of FLSA by hiring children?

Not to mention, you never really said they actually shoveled your driveway and car. You could have asked them to do all sorts of weird and twisted things for an hour. You've shown you're already the type that will employ underage children to adversely affect a naturally occurring environment, possibly using metal and plastic tools that dirty snow which melts and becomes groundwater.

I think we're going to need the transcripts of all conversations you had with those children and please send your neighbors who might have overheard your conversation or possibly witnessed child labor to testify, otherwise you will be obstructing justice.

You will be impeached!



Only matters if the kids think you paid them enough.

If not, expect the possibility of some broken frozen eggs on your door.

I'm sure it is since they said whatever you wanted to pay. If they come back the next time you have lots of snow, that will be a good sign that they meant what they said.

Sounds like enough to me. If they turn up with 3 kids on your doorstep they cannot expect to get 20 each. Plus, they do the work with 3 so it's faster and lighter.
I think per person it's the same or more as the average pocket money a week for that age. So a really nice extra :)

I'd never let kids touch my car though... What if they scratch or otherwise damage it...

ciretom,

Typical...

I shoveled snow in the 1960's in town.
I did it for whatever the person wanted to give.
Sometimes I got $20, $10, cookies, a hug.
Sometimes, I did it for nothing.
Sometimes we plowed a shovel wide path down the sidewalk as we went.
But then, none of us were desperate for money.

This resulted in an honest work ethic in my adult life.
I taught my children money is not the only motivation for helping others.
Something seriously lacking in today's societies.

Yes that's plenty for young boys

I agree!

Just had a flashback to my first job when I was starting high school.

I was paid minimum wage which at that time was..........wah......wah......wa......$1.30 per hour........

I just checked your age , my first job was paid at three pounds seven shillings and six pence per WEEK!!!!, old money
in decimal that is about £3.35
In dollars $4.37 for a whole week !!!!

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In regards to, 'Enough' at the rate of $20, 3 kids, 1 hour of work... Yes I would vote you in favor of being right on the money lol...