How can companies get away with this?

Question

I'm sixteen going on seventeen and it's hard for me to find a job because I'm not 18.

It's not like dangerous stores, it's dollar general and block buster.

I just don't get it.

Answer 1

Some companies have reasons.

If you have their phone numbers call or ask in person.

Always study the compliments and complaints of any potential employer.  Most companies allow good reviews and suppress complaints from non-management to mangement personnel who quit or were termnited.

All businesses protect their image at any cost so stay quiet if you decide to be a whistle-blower.  It is hard to know who is the best between these 2

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http://www.blockbuster.com/corporate/car...

Do a Yahoo search or Google this:

Complaints from ex employees of blockbuster  

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http://www.dollargeneral.com/Careers/Pag...

http://www.dollargeneral.com/AboutUs/Pag...

Do a Yahoo search or Google this:

Complaints from ex employees of dollar general

Answer 2

Blockbuster can't hire you because of your age.  At 16, you aren't old enough for an R-rated or unrated movie.  Since they stock those movies and you wouldn't be allowed to handle them, they can't hire you.  (I used to run a Wherehouse Music after they spun off from Blockbuster.  We had the same restriction but we actually stocked p**n.)

Many other stores decline to hire employees younger than 18 because they are often subject to state labor laws which restrict how many hours per week and how late you can work.  They have decided that it's just not worth the hassle so they have a minimum hiring age.  Or they have had bad experiences in the past and made a blanket restriction.  

A lot of stores are just not hiring this year.  I've seen several articles about how difficult it is for teens to find summer work.  With sales down, the last thing a store wants to do is pick up more employees. Also, a lot of people are looking for part time work (2nd jobs) to keep up with increasing costs.  Unfortunately, teens with limited experience will be at the bottom of the hiring list if other applicants are older and have more skills.

If you are looking for summer only, you are even less attractive to employers.  When I was a retail manager, I didn't want to hire someone, invest time and resources in that person's training, and then have her quit after 2 months because school started again.

Companies can get away with this because there is no rule that says they have to hire everyone who wants to work there.

Answer 3

You are demonstrating the reason that company's have an age limit.    Your attitude, is disrespectfull, as a lot of teens exhibit today, and isn't needed in business.    You are apparently applying for positions beyond your skill level, that requires more maturity than you appear to be able to offer.    Business assume liability when they hire teens.    You still have a bit of growing to do, before you start to exhibit the level of professionalism needed by business.   Instead of grousing about hiring practices, why don't you try to show that you are more mature than you currently act?    Once you are able to do that, then you will present yourself as an asset to the business you are trying to get a job with.