I'm not sure everyone is aware, but Dave's Snowball stand has new ownership. Most unfortunately the change has not been a good one, and while I never have made a post like this before, based on my daughter's experience working there, I feel compelled to make a statement out of a sense of duty to the community I love.
My daughter, who is a minor (also an AP/honor roll student enrolled in early college classes at AACC AND volunteers at NE) worked the snowball and fresh stand this summer. Her rate of pay was $10 which she thought would be fine because to her mind, it would not be difficult to get another $5 or more per hour in tips, especially on a hot summer day. Oddly enough, the owner does not allow the employees to take their tips with them when they leave for the day. He pays them their tips on their pay check. But the amount they make each shift is kept hidden from them. Coincidentally, every single pay check the amount of tips adds up to JUST enough for my daughter to hit the minimum wage (which as we found out for minors is $13 and some can be despite her being held to the same standards as anyone else)and no more. Despite a glance at the jars each shift clearly showing more money on the outside of the jar in one shift than appears on the entire weeks paycheck. How odd.
Next issue, the kids get 15 and 30 minute deductions on their checks for breaks, but they are not provided breaks. They were told by the owner that their break is when there is no customer. That is not okay because they are still expected to be on site watching and waiting for customers. Additionally, they are kept busy with side work in between customers. The owner and his girlfriend constantly pop in and even take photos and videos of the kids to confront them with if they talk or check their phone or stop their side work. So definitely no mandated breaks happening. So that's the second illegal and unethical issue here.
Third, what is the number one statement we warn our kids a predator will use with them? "Don't tell your mom". Apparently his #1 rule is not to involve moms!! Can't imagine why!!!
Lastly, in order to avoid paying unemployment during the off season. He bullies the kids into quitting. My daughter was put on a suspension and was told by a coworker that the owner told her it was to make her quit because he doesn't fire people (and no, she hadn't been written up or had meetings about performance), so she put in her notice. When she asked him if he said that, he denied it, then called the co-worker, (also a MINOR CHILD) raging out and saying he would deny it either way!!!!!
This man's behavior is not just unethical but his business practices are illegal and he is exploiting the kids in our community who work for him. This is not the Pasadena local business it used to be before ownership changed, and I urge everyone who supports Pasadena and our youths not to patron this business (aside from the snowball stand it includes a fall market and the Christmas tree sales) or allow your kids to work there. read more
