So I worked at a Steakhouse that prided itself on being a family company and having the best steaks. Well, they were sorta truthful. They had great quality steaks….that they would throw onto cheap pasta, add crappy prepackaged sauces and poorly cooked sides and extras. Expensive and busy, I made good money. But the place was and still is a mess. Three head chefs quit in a 3 year span. 7 front of house managers, the sous chef and all supervisors have turned. Only the General Manager and a lacky are there now as originals.
So as the pandemic was slowing down last Feb, I noticed a cook sneeze all over an order. He had a mask on. But that's it. Didn't cover his mouth, and almost seemed to be exaggerating and adding more 'oomph' to his sneeze – which again was above an order about to be sent out.
I pulled aside the manager (who was right beside him), told him how disgusting and potentially dangerous that was and the food should be remade. Keep on mind we were in a semi open kitchen concept restaurant. This could have been filmed or recorded easily (and probably was through the work cameras).
The manager refuses, I tell them how rediculous this is but keep my composure. I ask that he at least wash his hands and change his mask. He does so begrudgingly, but now I'm the prick.
I bring it to the General Manager. He says I handled it wrong. Tries to push a divide between FOH and BOH (front of house service staff and back of house kitchen staff). I shut that shit down. This isn't about politics, name calling or BS. It's simple. It shouldn't have happened, and I want reassurances it won't happen again. I have friends and family who eat there. I eat there. I like my regulars and care for my guests. Well, the Canadian Steakhouse doesn't agree.
They fire me without cause and give me a decent severance – but no Non Disclosure Agreement?? They pay me for a few extra shifts. As mentioned, the money was great there, the only good thing.
So I leave, get a job at another place a day later. No prob. Me and my new work friends laugh about how terrible that steak house has become. The general manager is well known. His reputation is terrible. It's a real shame, but I saw exactly why it's so crap.
A few weeks later chilling with a buddy (from the filthy steakhouse) and he's bummed. Says that during Christmas there was a payroll error and every single employee got like double pay or more. Including me. I didn't notice, neither did the staff (or payroll for that matter) as it was Christmas and restaurants bring in more money and it's much busier during this time.
My buddy who still works at the flop steakhouse was down, as he said they were garnishing his wages (in the new year, during the slower times) as everyone had been overpaid and they were taking it back over three/four paychecks.
However with me not working there anymore I smiled and laughed (privately). The severance was enough, I was satisfied but the extra pay I had recieved and not noticed was the cherry on top.
And no one was fired over this cause they were “family business” administration…though I was fired for bringing to managements attention some meathead sneezing all over $50 dinners during a pandemic…..
Stay antiwork.