Food Allergy Support

Discussion Boards => Teens and Food Allergies => Topic started by: CMdeux on February 08, 2013, 11:57:51 AM

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Title: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: CMdeux on February 08, 2013, 11:57:51 AM
What creative solutions have you come up with?

(It's probably helpful if you give some information about your specific allergens and what kind of precautions you find necessary in your daily life, too-- for example if you are milk allergic and can't eat in any restaurants safely, versus treenut allergic and pretty much live like anyone else that you know, except that you read food labels.)

Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: booandbrimom on February 08, 2013, 02:00:08 PM
My son simply got a non-food job. In a pharmacy! (So there's even an extra Epi-Pen in a pinch.)

I think it can actually help during the job form/interview process to briefly note the food allergies as a reason why the kid is pursuing a non-food job.

Also, kids with Epi training are greatly in demand as summer-camp counselors. Parents are very reassured to hear the counselor knows how to give an Epi-Pen.
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: SilverLining on February 08, 2013, 03:12:59 PM
Also, kids with Epi training are greatly in demand as summer-camp counselors. Parents are very reassured to hear the counselor knows how to give an Epi-Pen.

Absolutely.  When my son went to a camp with his class, I felt better knowing several of the councellors carried epi-pens.  A few had the same allergy as him.
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: GoingNuts on February 09, 2013, 11:16:32 AM
Also, kids with Epi training are greatly in demand as summer-camp counselors. Parents are very reassured to hear the counselor knows how to give an Epi-Pen.

Absolutely.  When my son went to a camp with his class, I felt better knowing several of the councellors carried epi-pens.  A few had the same allergy as him.

Ditto.

DS had an office job.  Food was not a problem; they had a fridge and many days he brought his lunch, if not there were several safe choice within a few blocks of his office (Chipotle being his fave).  I'm anxious to see where he ends up this summer.
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: Macabre on March 04, 2013, 09:10:01 AM
DS is looking to get a job as soon as the musical is over to save up for the traveling speech team in case he makes it (the team coach asked him to try out for it--and spoke to us suggesting he audition, so we think he'll probably get in).

He thinks Marshall's or TJ Maxx "because they hire 15 year olds."  DH and I were talking last night about the interview process and how DS should tell about his peanut allergy after the offer.  It's what I do it, unless it's relevant to my ability to do the job.
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: GingerPye on March 04, 2013, 09:27:27 AM
Page in a library.
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: Macabre on March 04, 2013, 12:33:28 PM
GP has your DD done that? That's a great job.
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: GingerPye on March 04, 2013, 02:52:55 PM
No -- I keep suggesting it to her.  I know a few of her friends who work at the library as pages --- the hours are very, very flexible for school activities. 
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: BensMom on May 03, 2013, 01:43:14 PM
DS is hopefully on his way to a job at Kumon. :crossed: He's sort of in a trial period. I don't know what their rules are on eating there. He's allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, but can be around other people eating them.
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: Macabre on May 13, 2013, 07:56:54 PM
Bagging groceries at a higher end grocery store that does not have an open bin of peanuts--with a peanut allergy:  tell me your thoughts.
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: starlight on May 13, 2013, 10:26:57 PM
Bagging groceries at a higher end grocery store that does not have an open bin of peanuts--with a peanut allergy:  tell me your thoughts.

For your son, with what I know of his sensitivity levels, I'd say it might be do-able if wears gloves and he doesn't touch his face. I used to work at McD's when the McFlurries came out and I actually made the Reeses ones with no problems. But is it worth the stress psychologically? Having to bag literal bags of peanuts, PB, Reeses, then paying attention to exactly where you're putting your hands. Even though the environment is probably littered with peanut protein everywhere you go, actively, knowingly touching it isn't easy. Especially if you can't get away to wash your hands immediately after.   
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: Macabre on May 13, 2013, 11:07:05 PM
He wants a job to save money for a school activity that will come with a very hefty price tag. He had created a (nicely done) resume and completed an application for a discount clothing store that he thought hired 15 year olds. He was called for an interview, but they once they determined his age said they couldn't interview him (but did say that his application stood out among the others they had and to please reapply next year :) ).

There are few options for him. He could detassle corn I assume, living where we do now.  This is really not the first thing I would think of for my kid, but it's an option. 

The grocery store he is thinking of hires 15 year olds (well, that's what he said about the other store, but he said they even hire 14 year olds). 

We talked about his having some wipes with him at all times. He thinks in his pocket and I think under a checkout counter. At this grocery store, sackers typically stay in one line. DNQ At this grocery store, there is no carry out (you drive through to pick them up).


Hmmmm.  I don't know.  I think it could work. This store seems good about hiring people with disabilities. One of the sackers I often get (got this evening) I think is on the spectrum.  Not that I am a professional diagnostic person, but just based on conversations and the mistake I made once of switching my bag preference for a few of my items (when I needed more than I brought).  And there are a few other folks there with disabilities. I'm thinking it would not be hard to work out an accommodation with the manager.
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: CMdeux on May 14, 2013, 09:42:24 AM
If they use plastic bags, he could presumably handle anything suspect (bakery items, deli trays, that kind of thing) with a pair of those in a pinch, yes?


No harm in interviewing, at any rate.

 :yes:
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: GingerPye on May 14, 2013, 09:46:39 AM
Just thinking about detassling --- it's a big summer job around here for the younger teens and actually some good money and not toooooo terribly unpleasant -- but my kids could not do it, due to their environmental allergies.  Does your DS have such allergies?  (trying to remember)

I walked beans one time and was a total itchy mess. 
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: twinturbo on May 14, 2013, 09:51:26 AM
Some of the cashiers I've seen wear nitrile gloves while working. And I've certainly used them where I had to touch questionable people and their items.
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: buttons on July 02, 2013, 04:02:31 PM
My son has worked summers at his high school for the tech dept and then has gotten some free lance type of work through word of mouth there.  Maybe an arts teacher could have some leads?  I think a grocery story job would be nerve wracking given how things break open, leak, spill, etc.  But not impossible.
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: Macabre on July 02, 2013, 07:57:25 PM
Well, how nice that you raised this. Today he learned he got a job at a drama camp!

He is also going to mow lawns in our new area and is hoping to work at the State Fair, but I'm worried that might interfere with play rehearsal the week before school and the first week. It is safe, and he has a friend at the same booth.
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: buttons on July 02, 2013, 08:12:20 PM
Hey, that's great!!
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: rebekahc on July 03, 2013, 10:20:25 AM
Bagging groceries at a higher end grocery store that does not have an open bin of peanuts--with a peanut allergy:  tell me your thoughts.

I know I'm late responding, but someone might find my experience helpful...

I am both contact and airborne sensitive and I worked as a checker at a grocery store when I was in high school.  The only problems I had were sometimes my hands would itch/swell/break out (seemed to happen the most with handling bagged candy).  I kept wet wipes with me so I could wipe my hands if they started to tingle/itch and I always kept my hands away from my face (which I would have done anyway handling raw meat packages and money, yuck!).
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: Macabre on July 04, 2013, 08:51:13 AM
That's what DS' plan was going to be. I'm glad that worked out for you. That's very helpful to know!
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: Macabre on July 30, 2013, 02:39:29 PM
As it turns out, there is a child with a nut allergy at The camp DS is working at, so the director made the camp nut free. DS called parents before the camp started to remind them to send non-nutty snacks.  He's had one camper in his group being trail mix and had to tell the child it's important to bring a snack without nuts. He said that because they share the rooms and instruments it's important to be sure to keep everyone safe.

:)
Title: Re: Summer/PT jobs with food allergies?
Post by: Macabre on June 23, 2014, 09:29:30 AM
DS is working at the theatre camps all summer. They are nut free, and everyone is Epi trained.

He may work at the same food booth at the state fair that he worked at last summer. It did not have any nuts. It was not vegetarian, however, and DS did very well with that. It was hot and exhausting work, but we didn't hear a single complaint from him.