Kind boss gives Yorkshire boy, 6, 'first wage' for 'excellent' work after childcare issues force dad to bring son to work

Tom Hartley, 33, had been struggling to find someone to look after his son Isaac and jokingly told the little boy that he'd have to bring him to work with him.

Surprised by how keen Isaac was by the suggestion, maintenance operative Tom checked with his boss - and ended up bringing his son to work.

After a hard day of grafting where Isaac helped refurbish an empty house, the father and son were shocked to receive a letter from Tom's boss, Spencer Wood, 30, thanking the little boy for his "excellent" work - and even paying him for the job he'd done.

In a letter on official Ultralets company headed paper, accompanied by a ten pound note, managing director Spencer wrote: "I saw some pictures of the work you did that day when you came in and it was EXCELLENT!

"You worked really hard, so hard you fell asleep in the van on the way home!

"Attached to this letter you will find your wages for the work on Tuesday the 8th of February 2022 - make sure you spend it wisely!

"Thank you so much for helping your Dad and the company.

"It is really important to work hard and focus on school now but when you finish school in the future, it would be great for you to come and show us how good you can be at fixing up houses! Only if you want to though of course."

Young Isaac has already planned on spending his hard earned wages on some new fish for his fish tank and can't stop talking about his day on site with his dad.

Tom, who lives in Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, said: "Isaac absolutely loved it.

"He asked when he would be able to get a van and work for Ultralets with me, and he tells all his friends he's coming to work with his daddy.

"We were working in an empty property and Isaac helped me unload my tools and take them into the house.

"I went through with him what jobs needed doing. I had to reseal the shower so he helped with that and we also painted a room.

"I had to fill some cracks in the wall with filler and he had a go doing that and then I took him to McDonald's for his dinner.

"I had to go to the office to get some materials and he met everyone in the office, including Spencer. When we had finished, he fell asleep in the van almost straight away.

"I was so surprised by the letter. I felt so proud of my son and I also felt so proud for the company that I work for because I think it's the definitely the small things that count.

"Whenever I do jobs around the house, Isaac always helps me. Hopefully I can teach him what I know and he can make a career from it!"

After Tom posted about the experience on Facebook, Spencer responded to the sweet comments flooding in regarding his letter, saying: "I was encouraged when I was a youngster which gave me the confidence to start my own business age 17.

"13 years later, I am lucky enough to have a thriving company and this is my way of passing on that encouragement I had.

"I would encourage everyone to do the same at every opportunity and let's help promote the next generation of hard workers and entrepreneurs!"