Lancashire coffee shop boss gives schoolgirl warning for her acne

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Emily McNamara at first thought her Imposta Coffee café boss was joking
She was devastated when she realised Facebook reprimand was genuine
The note also accused her of working at Lancashire shop while hungover
Star pupil resigned and told boss she is 'clean and presentable at all times'
Elicha Scott said the marks on Emily's neck looked like they were love bites

Published: 05:15 EDT, 15 June 2018 | Updated: 09:26 EDT, 15 June 2018

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Emily McNamara, who was given a written warning by her Lancashire coffee shop boss for 'marks' on her neck, referring to her acne

A 15-year-old schoolgirl was left 'devastated' when her coffee shop boss gave her a written warning for her acne.

Top-of-the-class pupil Emily McNamara thought her employer at Imposta Coffee in Accrington, Lancashire, was joking when she received a Facebook message about her skin.

The note from Elicha Scott warned her about 'unacceptable marks' on her neck and said she would be sacked 'on the spot' if they were visible again.

It also accused her of being hungover when she turned up to work one morning - even though she had spent the previous evening with her tee-total grandmother.

Emily, who was charged with washing up pots at the cafe, had been bullied over her acne at school and was heartbroken when she realised the message was genuine.

She had only worked for 10 hours in her new job when she says she received the shocking reprimand. It knocked her confidence and she decided to resign.

Mum Tracey Yates, 33, was horrified when her daughter showed her the cruel message.

She said: 'I am gutted for her. When Emily got the message, she said this has to be a wind up.

'It was that shocking and the accusations were that ridiculous it didn't seem real. She's a hard worker. She's top of her class. She can't step a foot wrong.'

But Ms Scott showed little sympathy for the teen, branding her 'pathetic' and insisting she did turn up at work hungover.

She said the marks on Emily's neck looked like love bites.

'It’s just a bit silly to be honest. I only gave her a word of warning and they’ve posted it all over Facebook but I’d rather not be mentioned in it because it’s pathetic.

'She was very hungover. But I'd rather not talk about it. This is an absolute joke. I'm trying to run a business.'

Emily with her mother Tracey Yates, who was devastated when her daughter showed her the cruel message

She added: 'I haven't made no one feel worse about anything and I'm sick of people trying to make me feel like I'm the bad guy.

'Emily’s confidence has been knocked yet I’ve been publicly humiliated for doing a job.'

Emily has had acne on her face, neck and back for more than two years and takes both cream and tablets to combat her pimples.

Her mother said it was 'devastating for her' to have this pointed out by an adult employer on a social network rather than in person.

Elicha Scott, who sent Emily a cruel Facebook message about her appearance

Imposta Coffee shop in Accrington, Lancashire, where Emily had only worked for 10 hours before she received the shocking message

Referring to the claim her daughter was hungover one day, she said: 'This is accusing me of handing my 15-year-old daughter into work under the influence of alcohol.

'Anybody would think that that would not be acceptable.

'I know the owners and if they thought my daughter turned up under the influence of alcohol why let her work, why say it later and why not contact me?'

Imposta Coffee and Elicha Scott have been approached for comment.

The shocking message sent to Emily on Facebook messenger

'I am writing to inform you that I was very concerned in your appearance and performance in work last week.

'Coming into work with marks on your neck and under the influence of alcohol is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

'I expect from now on that when you come into work you should be clean and presentable at all times. This is a place if buisness [sic].

'Also you need to concentrate more as I noticed you had made alot [sic] of mistakes which ended in produce being overcooked and wasted.

'This can not [sic] happen as it will end in a waste of stock and loss of proffit [sic].

'You need to be more responsible and use initiative, especially in busy times as the shop gets very busy, very quickly.

'This is a warning but as of the next time you will be sent home and terminated on the spot.'

Emily's reply to the scathing Facebook message

'I wasn't under any influence of any alcohol? And I am concerned as to why you are assuming that I was.

'I was with my Granny Friday night and Saturday morning! And the 'mark on my neck' you're referring to I'm assuming is either acne or dry skin, which I take daily medication for.

'Considering I was not confronted about this 'mark' at the time I am unable to clarify exactly what it was. I am clean and presentable at all times.

'I understand your concerns but I would appreciate it if you had addressed them to my face rather than sending a Facebook message almost a week later.

'You state that you're running a business but this message hardly seems business like.

'I'm sorry if I made mistakes, but considering it was only my second week and I'm still learning, I don't see this as a major concern.

'I have been trying to use initiative and be responsible, but I've had minimal training and have done my best.

'Issuing warnings over Facebook I'm not comfortable with, and to be honest I'm not comfortable with your message at all.

'I won't be returning on Saturday or any Saturday there after [sic].

'Thank you for the opportunity and I hope you find a suitable candidate soon.'