Update: Chef Quits, Walks Out During Rush, Owner Wants to Meet, Turns Out to Be a Trap

Brad Dickson • Managing Editor

Jul 31, 2022 10:00 AM EDT

A chef, who had been a member of a dwindling kitchen staff, found themselves all alone during a dinner rush. This was when they decided to walk out as well. Reddit user, u/Ok_Cap3087, shared their story to the r/antiwork subreddit this week. They reported that the owner had attempted to make contact with them and was attempting to organize a meeting. The poster was uncertain whether or not they should attend this meeting and reached out to readers for their advice.

Commenters on the initial thread had the following thoughts and advice.

"I'd ask him what his goal of the meeting is going to be," advised mattjones3141. "Is he wanting to get your feedback now that you can be honest about it so that he can improve things? Is he just trying to get you to stay? Is he going to bring you in just to tell you off and feel like he won?"

In response to that comment user Did_Gyre_And_Gimble laid out this extensive list to help the poster decide under what circumstances they should attend the meeting.

DO NOT GO if:
"How could you do this to us? I thought we were family!!"
Please come back! Things will be different, I swear! (they won't)
He will be rude, disrespectful, or mean
There is any potential for litigation
DO GO if:
You like him personally and just want to be a decent person.
You believe he wants honest feedback (and may benefit from your advice)
You might want the job back (at better pay / treatment) if you believe he can/will improve/fix things.
You want to use him as a reference for a future job.
You think there's a chance you might get paid for those off-the-clock hours.
MAYBE GO if:
There's a social aspect (eg he's an in-law) where it's just better for your life if you don't burn bridges.
It's a small town where you believe his animosity could hurt you.
He's willing to pay for your time as a consultant.
DEFINITELY GO if:
You think providing feedback may help the employees you leave behind.
You want the opportunity to chew him out and tell him what you really think

When u/Ok_Cap3087 ultimately decided to avoid the meeting, they received a message from their boss and provided an update, which starts from item #12.

The boss had this to say in their message:

"Good morning, I didn't hear from you yesterday. I really didn't want you to leave the way you did and I really would want you to work out your weekend shifts this weekend. It's the only right thing to do and in the future so we can still become connected. You never know when we will meet up again and who knows down the road but we could do with your talents combine with mine."

The poster reported that they were glad that they took the commenter's advice and avoided meeting with the owner.

What do you think? Would you have met with the owner?