Being charged for drinks, even water, at work

[SagaciousCloud]

My DS has recently been taken on for a weeks trial at a telephone sales business.

He came home from work yesterday, having had nothing to drink all day. This was because he had no money and the only drinking water available was from a vending machine, and cost 5p per cup. They didn't even have drinking water in the toilets.

I was absolutely flabergasted when he told me. Is this even remotely legal?

I think it sounds hard, but in no way heroic, that seems a strange term to use. Being a hero is usually about doing something to help others isn't it?

It's hard to have limited choices and this job seems in no way an easy ride but isn't it just life?

water should be free. but now you know it costs, he can take cash or a refillable bottle.

5p or 10p a day is not loads anyway. and i work with tons of people who cycle for 2 hours a day, to and from work - in fact my ex does an hour each way on his pushbike - nothing to moan about. i know sometimes it seems like the world is against you but it's better to be a role model for how to succeed and create opportunities, rather than for being a victim and moaning about how unfair life is...

i know this sounds harsh - i don't mean to - i know in the past when i get stuck in that mentality it really helps to have someone point out all the good things, the things to be grateful for and the things to strive for - otherwise you end up passively cursing your bad luck. see if you can find some role models for your DS who started with nothing and made something of themselves in their late 20s / 30s maybe? wasn't the guy who founded twitter in his mid 30s? show your son that anything is possible...

It is better to have a job than sign on because once you have a job you can more easily GET ANOTHER ONE.You have money coming in so you can look around and of course you can study in your freetime for qualifications as well. Once on Jsa etc it is hard to come off it etc