Restaurant boss comments on 16-year-old server's weight in front of customers, leaving her speechless

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A young waitress resets the table at her restaurant job

My boss commented on my weight at work and I don't know how to handle it.

I'm 16 and I work part-time in a restaurant doing waitressing and taking orders over the phone. My boss is in her early 50's I would say. She was away for a period of time and came back recently.
When she saw me after I said hello, one of the first things she said to me was how she had noticed how I had gained weight in certain areas, she then proceeded to ask me when was last time I had checked my weight and encouraged me to do so. I responded by saying "I thought I was at a normal weight, I hadn't noticed haha." while she glared at my arms and face as I let out an awkward giggle. I truly didn't know what to say back to her.
There were customers sitting nearby when she said this which was even more embarrassing☺ It's hard enough at 16 with body image and this has stuck to me now as I start to wonder have other people noticed too?
I was quite upset after hearing that from her, and it was right at the beginning of my shift too. I had to put my fake face on for the next 4 hours before letting it all out when my dad came to collect me. Shortly after he went back in to confront her (calmly not aggressively) but my boss had went away at this point.
I know my dad is looking out for me and these things should not be let go so easy, but I felt this made things much worse for me as I have a shift there tomorrow. My dad left his number on a note for her so my boss will definitely see and inquire about it tomorrow.
I am great at my job I'm not exactly sure what she got out of this conversation with me or what her problem is?? I have always treated her with the upmost respect as I am a decent person and I am also friends with her kids.
I am somewhat embarrassed to speak to her tomorrow, how do I even prepare for this kind of conversation with someone who's supposed to look out for me? If anyone's experienced this kinda treatment what was your next step?
*** I got in contact with someone working there luckily and she discarded the note for me, I read some of the comments and it's really helped me thank you, I am going to head in early tomorrow and have a chat with her***
A young waitress in an apron takes an order at the coffee bar

Commenters weighed in on this story.

AdApprehensive3645 Your boss is unprofessional.
creatively_inclined Your boss is toxic. It's never, ever okay to talk about people's bodies and especially not at work.
Poundaflesh YOURE 16!! YOUR BODY IS MATURING! Ignore this fool except to report to HR for harassment.
flynena-3 That was completely r de and inappropriate of her! I'm not sure if she was being mean or just thoughtless or thought she was looking out for you but either way, it was not okay. Also I agree with you in that it was not okay
for your dad to go in and leave a note with his number to have a conversation with her. I know he meant well & was looking out for you. But that's really not going to make you look good or for people to take you seriously. I suggest finding that note
and getting rid of it, or calling someone you're cool with at the restaurant, asking them to find the note and get rid of it before the boss gets back there. Tell your dad it is not appropriate for him to speak on your behalf at a job and
they are not going to take you seriously if Daddy is coming to fight your battles. Tell him you do not want him speaking to your boss, but you are definitely going to have a conversation with her and handle it. If she should find a note and call him before you get to speak with
her, direct him to not pick up the phone. If your boss gets there earlier than you tomorrow, I suggest that you plan to arrive 30 minutes early and when you get there, tell your boss that you would like to speak with her privately. Do not have this conversation in the middle of the restaurant or with other people present. It is
private and nobody's business. When you get into the office with her, I suggest telling her something like this: yesterday you commented on my weight and my body. That made me very uncomfortable. First of all, you did it in front of customers and other people heard you clearly. But even if they didn't, that's not
something you should be saying to me. It's not nice, it's not helpful and a boss should never be commenting in a workplace. on somebody's weight, it's not professional or okay. I'm telling you because I want you to know how I felt about it and that I want to make sure it doesn't happen again. Even though I am
young, that doesn't mean that I don't want my workplace to be professional. So I wanted to come to you directly about this, so that we can discuss it and then know that we can move forward and be okay and that I won't have to worry about it happening again.
I know it's probably going to feel super awkward and uncomfortable having this conversation! I totally get it. Practice in your room tonight, pretend you're actually talking to her and say it out loud. If you do it a bunch of times, it will start to feel a little more natural and comfortable so you feel more prepared for tomorrow.
You absolutely must have this conversation with her to nip this in the bud, you have to do it directly to her face and you need to address it immediately instead of waiting. Hopefully your boss will apologize. She might get defensive or try to minimize it. If she does that, make it clear that it is not okay and
you don't want any more instances of this happening. In other words, you are not asking her, you are telling her. Stay strong even if you're fr king out inside. You will feel so much better after you do this! It's so important to learn to advocate for yourself even when it's scary or uncomfortable. Good luck and please keep us updated!
NoClue22 Do not let your dad call. Your 16 it's your job. I know what she said wasn't right and your young but it's "your"job. You need to stand up for yourself. It's easier said then done but I know but you can't let her talk to you like that. I'm not saying. tell her you wish she'd drive into on coming traffic but your dad isn't going to work with you.
Ornamental_oriental Has nothing to do with the job so it shouldn't have been brought up. I would just snap back and say "well I don't care what anyone says about you here, I like you". That one always makes people feel uneasy. Be condescending and show your dominance when you do and walk away before she can say anything. Pick your battles and don't let your dad handle it.

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