The industry is toxic. I can't differentiate between r/KitchenConfidential and r/AntiWork when scrolling my feed. Every independent says “we are a family” then the owner fires staff for tiny mistakes. Staff are either so burnt out they become passive and disconnected or, worse still, buy into the “family ethos” and become snakes and traitors.
I handed in my notice to my Head Chef position, got told I would have to “pay back furlough” and “have destroyed the business since I joined” (4 and a half years ago). The owner has found my father on Instagram and messaged him to tell him she thinks I'm an awful human being (how dare I leave of my own volition eh?)
Today I began legal proceedings to claim the pay owed to me – contractually meant to be paid last Friday of the month and still not received my wages. I am also reporting the business for abuse of the Furlough Scheme. I am also invoicing them for the final week of my notice period which I was not allowed to work (its quiet over summer, funny timing.)
Any aspiring chefs, sack it off. Go be a plumber or sparky and work for yourself.