Worker caught with drink gaining minimal approval (8)
I believe the answer is:
handclap
'approval' is the definition.
(handclap is a kind of approval)
'worker caught with drink' is the wordplay.
'worker' becomes 'hand' (hand is a kind of worker).
'caught' becomes 'c' (cricket abbreviation).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'drink' becomes 'lap' (lapping is a kind of drinking**).
'hand'+'c'+'lap'='HANDCLAP'
'gaining minimal' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for handclap that I've seen before include "One signs approval" , "token of appreciation" , "Noise made for applause" .)