Originally Posted by
SnuggleBuggles
It’s good idea but my kids have worked at multiple pools over the years and it’s a quirky environment. Most of the pools are managed by basically senior lifeguards. Their priority is staffing and requests are just requests, not guarantees. Some try harder than others to accommodate requests. They have all used scheduling software where you input your availability, an email wouldn’t do anything. It’s not bad to have a paper trail though if they’re punitive with absences (ds1 was scheduled while we were multiple states away on vacation, which they knew about; as a result, he barely got any hours the rest of the summer…it was the worst pool of them all). Pools around here are just less formal and, like I said, just kind of unique in operation.
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Baby Bargains
This has also been DS1's experience. It's really a bunch of teens/young adults working and some are definitely flighty. It's frustrating for the kids but also the managers.
OP - many of our local community pools are managed/staffed by the same aquatics company. Lifeguards are employees of said company and can usually choose their "home" pool. The guards learn which ones are more structured and managed better. Maybe this would be the case for your DS? Or do you have a YMCA? They tend to have set expectations for the guards with managers on site. I'm in the group of working is valuable experience for teens so I'd either ask DS to work at the pool or find another position. Chic fil A seems popular with the younger teens and offers employment for 14+. A local ice cream shop? We are going through the same thing with DS2, also a rising 11th grader. It's hard because he has several soccer commitments and a 2 week family vacation so work needs to be flexible. But I don't want him just hanging out without something the rest of his summer.
Mom to Two Wild and Crazy Boys and One Sweet Baby Girl