DD got her first job last October. She was 16 at the time, it was a seasonal weekend job to start, at a well known UK store (think on the lines of B&M/Home bargains). Not the best place to work (not if you check out glassdoor) but she wanted to earn some money alongside college and it's good for her confidence. It is also really hard to get work in our area atm.
The only training she received was online at home the week before she started and was then thrown in the deep end as such by being placed on the tills from the first day. She has done really well and it really has boosted her confidence.
DD was and still is the youngest staff member there (turned 17 just this week).
The manager is a lovely guy and everyone got on well with him and the assistant manager. However, a couple of months ago they both left due to promotions elsewhere within the company. Before he left the store dd's seasonal contract was coming to an end, he asked if she wanted to stay on, she accepted but a new contract has never been drawn up.
A few months on and the new manager is completely different. She has never fully introduced herself to the staff and rarely comes down on the shop floor, unlike the previous manager. She seems to want nothing to do with the younger staff and has hardly spoken to dd, it appears she is not well liked amongst the staff. An assistant manager also started a few weeks ago but dd doesn't even know her name and has never met her.
The company has an app for staff and all their hours/shifts and annual leave etc is shown on this app.
With the old manager, he was happy staff giving approx 2 weeks notice for all annual leave requests. However, dd has tried putting AL in 4 times recently and each time it has been almost instantly declined by the new manager with no explanation even though dd has given the full two weeks notice.
DD had asked for this weekend off to celebrate her birthday with friends but this was declined, she then asked for next weekend which was also declined. She then put in for next month, giving 4 weeks notice but this has been left open with no decision made (she put this in a week ago). I suggested dd talk to the manager about this when she goes in today. Last night she checked on the staff rota only to discover the manager is on AL this weekend, next and the following weekend! Dd said she has had several weekends off since she started a few months ago.
And the dd checked to see the manager has now put up the rota for next month having completely ignored dd's request for AL and given her shifts for that weekend. She also keeps trying to change dd shifts at last notice. Last weekend she was due to work 3-7pm Sat and 10-2 on the Sun, this had been set for weeks. On the Friday before she suddenly changed the hours, Sat 11-7pm, Sun 11-4 and then added the bank holiday Monday 10-3 (dd only works Sat and Sun). We were going away from Sunday afternoon to Monday so dd had to ring the store. Staff have no direct number for the manager, they have to ring the customer service number the same as customers do but they never answer so it took hours to get through to her and when dd explained the situation the manager seemed pissed off (I was listening as she was on loud speaker), yet she feels its fine to give 2 days notice to change and add extra hours to DD's shifts but won't accept AL when 4 weeks notice is given.
I have told dd that as the manager is off for the next 2 weeks and we need to book time away she should contact HR seeing that she has buggered off on annual leave and left dd's request unopened but I know dd won't go over this manager as she is wary of her and most of the younger ones who started at the same time as dd have left because of this women and the ones remaining all detest her.
I am not sure what else to suggest, dd isn't happy there but likes the extra money, unfortunately I am currently not working due to some health issues and I just can't afford to give her money for clothes and make up right now.
What would you advise if this was your dc?