Teenager Working in Coffee Shop

[TellMeTheTruthTheWholeTruth]

My 15 year old daughter works in a cafe/coffee shop on a Saturday and during school holidays.

She's on minimum wage and a zero hours contract. The owner/manager is a nice woman and lets all the staff help themselves fo a free lunch and a drink (although obviously nothing too extravagant) during their lunch break.

My daughter worked over the Christmas and New Year holidays. The owner was away. My daughter helped herself to a lunch and drink as usual. However the deputy manager charged her for these every day, despite knowing she gets them free normally (not even giving the cafe's usual friends and family discount).

My daughter didn't like to say anything but it was about £8 every day (think panini and milkshake). This is quite a lot when you're on minimum wage (it's almost two hours salary).

She won't say anything but if this were to happen going forward, what do you think the best way of dealing with it is? I think she should simply say something to the deputy manager, or should she ask the manager before she next goes off?

My daughter won't listen to me (typical teenager thinks I know nothing) so I said I'd post on here so she can see your replies!

Thanks.

Op i admire you for not stepping in

I used a 16 year old babysitter for a while but her mum kept textingme the queries etc. I honestly do understand its hard for shy teens...but it nade me eventually feel so uncomfortable i stopped using her. I just started to feel the girl couldnt do a job for money if she couldnt do basic communication

Please tell your daughter thst this is a situation even adults find tricky.

Could you help her word a whatsapp to big boss ? The big boss will understand what a lot of money 8 quid is. As you say...she pnly took the expensive lunch on the understanding it was free

Your daughter will feel v empowered by dealing with this

Thanks.

Yes I'll help her word something that she emails through herself or asks face to face.

Over the course of a week this is a difference of £40 to her which is a lot.

She also pays for a bus to and from work so she's not left with a lot.

I admire her work ethic though so want to encourage that.