It's tough to have a kid on the verge of becoming an adult. They do all that 'thinking for themselves' and 'having their own opinions' stuff that we thought was so awesome when we were their age... How did you find out that he's "not doing his job up to his potential" ? I know you're trying to help, but I think back then I'd have resented my parent interfering at a job of mine... Also, as long as he's meeting his employer's "standards" he doesn't have to do everything up to his max potential. Is this his first job? Maybe ask him how it's going.......or how, if at all, he sees it as fitting into his plan for his future. Or maybe ask whether he likes it or wants to try something different. If he's not doing well, but is capable of doing so, then maybe it's not his cup of tea and he might benefit from exploring other options.

I hope things work out for you both.

Best wishes.

95% of the high schoolers I see in the grocery store are not working up to their potential. I know some of them, and I hear the stories of hiding in the store and goofing off. I wouldn't worry too much, it's something he has to learn about. Even if he gets fired, it's a lesson. My one son is like the go-to guy at his job (dishwashing) and it really has boosted his self esteem. My older son, in college, although would work up to his potential, doesn't bother to call in to see if he can be put on a schedule. So he didn't even work more than a week this summer. That's it's own issue. Kids will eventually wake up, I'm guessing when they really need money or have a job they enjoy with more responsibilities.

@Beryl367, the way I found out was through the manager. We both work at the same store but different shifts. I feel that the medication he is taking has a lot to do with his motivation and performance. He is medication for Epilepsy and it takes a toll on him. I feel that he is doing his job but someone is trying to make it sound like he is doing nothing. I hope that as time goes on, he will find his niche. It has been a rough road for the both of us. Thank you for your words, it does help me knowing that my son is not doing anything wrong.

@jojord my son feels that he is center of attention at times and will just shut himself down and will not talk to anyone. It is like he is embarrassed or something. I try not to worry to much but it can be overwhelming when the manager is telling you what is going on when he has told me not to get involved and I have not, this is where is gets tough for me.

Dear Kallison11, The Answer:
Allow him to fail. Give him the space to get fired, Do not cuddle him. Allow the world to kick him in the ass. Allow him to feel the financial strain.
Then go to his employer and discover why he got fired. Take that information to a therapist. This is a difficult one? He's 15-16?
You're his mother, not his best friend. I suggest that you begin to live your own life. Go out to dinner. Date. Find friends of your own age to pal with. You son is a man--almost. Ignore him.
He will come ask for help. Give him advice. Go out and begin to live your life. Force him to do all the things that at 15 he should be doing by himself:
Making his own dinners,
Homework
Keeping house (cleaning and stuff)
Laundry
Keeping a Job
Develop social skills.
Learn how to take orders.
Learn to be dependable.
You are raising an adult. You are not raising a child. He is a child to begin with, why would you want him to remain one?
Your job is to peek in on his progress here and there, now and again. Be that safety net, but no more. After he is showing signs of needing you to teach him a skill or skills that he did not have, help him. And in those quiet brief moments alone with him remind this boy that you love him and get out again, In less than 3 years he will be on his own and playing the part of an adult. Demand he do it. That front door rarely swings both ways and you gave a solemn vow to God to nurture and love and then let go.
“Something has spoken to me in the night...and told me that I shall die, I know not where. Saying: "[Death is] to lose the earth you know for greater knowing; to lose the life you have, for greater life; to leave the friends you loved, for greater loving; to find a land more kind than home, more large than earth.” ― Thomas Wolfe, You Can't Go Home Again

^^^great advice

There are a lot of teen apps available in the app store. As per my experience, one should use the apps that can give them an idea of creativity & innovation. Games are fine up to some extent. One type of apps that can help manage teens themselves are kids/teens manager apps. There you can assign tasks to your son & ask him to complete. After completion, you can give prize to your son. It will encourage him to focus on the work.

We all need to learn how to pull our own weight

I’d consider telling him that you heard through the grapevine that he is under performing , ask him about it , can he see where that may be so?
Can he see if it is more of a perception caused my he he carries himself or interacts, is it incorrect & unfair?

Regardless of which is closest to reality, he’ll face this often in life (as we all do)

Be his parent, tell him this is about him defining the principles he wants to live by and acting on such