'I won't be in today and I won't be back': Restaurant worker quits 20 mins after the start of their shift with explosive text message to boss

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Nov 8, 2023 9:00 AM EST

When this restaurant worker was running late for their shift, their manager reached out to ask if they were coming in, probably not realizing that the simmering heat of anger that had been bubbling below the surface was about to boil over. After a series of unmet promises, unrealistic expectations, and even being cheated out of pay, this restaurant worker was more than happy to call it quits. The reason they were late to their shift in the first place was that they had actually been interviewing for another role, which had gone overly long and caused them to run behind.

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement

  • Under normal circumstances, it's definitely fair for your manager to reach out to ask where you are when you're late for your shift. There's nothing worse as a manager than having someone who is notoriously unreliable with their tardiness and attendance. It's also usually best not to be late for your current job because you're interviewing for another one. But, you get the respect that you give in this world, and if you haven't been treating your workers very well, don't expect them to treat you well either.

  • 01
    Boss text me when I was 5 minutes late for my shift, I text back 20 minutes later Compensation ■Koodo 37 1:46 PM Manager Today 11:35 AM Are you coming in? 66% 1/2 Hey Manager as I had previously said, I wouldn't have applied for a job at the wage I've been getting. You told me
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 02
    .Koodo 37 O 1:46 PM Are you coming in? A A Manager Today 11:35 AM Hey Manager as I had previously said, I wouldn't have applied for a job at the wage I've been getting. You told me that we would go with $17/hr for the first month and see how I did. Then after a month we talked and you said I needed more training to get paid more, and that I needed to be on people about doing things right to get paid more, but I haven't been getting training, so my wage has been based on your performance as a tra
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 03
    .Koodo 37 O 1:46 PM Manager so my wage has been based on your performance as a trainer instead of my 66% performance as an employee, which makes no sense. And I can't be on peoples about doing things right when I don't even know how to do what they're doing. So I had a job interview today at a company that pays more to do less work, and it ran long because I was offered a position there. So long story short, I won't be in today, and I won't be back. I'll be pursuing a career elsewhere, and I wis
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 04
    They baited me with $19/hr, had me running a whole kitchen in a busy restaurant after they trained me on half of it, and refused to pay more than $17/hr because I "needed more training, and needed to be louder with people about portioning" but refused to train me. (I'm in Ontario, Canada, minimum wage is $16.50/hr, with the hours I was getting I was making $14/wk more than minimum wage, after tax)
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 05
    Aserious Dumbass 5 hr. ago about "I can't be on people's doing things right when I don't even know how to do what they're doing" Thanks for being honest about that! It was a breath of fresh air. You're a rare breed. I've had to train new people how to be my new boss too many times. 4713 Reply Share
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 06
    Responsible-Plenty64 OP 5 hr. ago I get it because I've done the same! I'm not going to yell (and yes, "yell" was specifically requested) at highschool kids about doing things wrong while they're the only ones willing to show me what to do lol Me: how much parsley goes on this? Highschool kid: about this much sprinkles parsley Me: YOU!?!? 233 IS WRONG WITH Reply Share
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 07
    nothaoathrowaway 4 hr. ago As a guy in HS this is 100% something I'd do 41 fuckimtrash 2 hr. ago Did he respond? Please post an update if he responds 13 Reply Share Reply Share Responsible-Plenty64 OP 23 2 hr. ago I've promised too many people an update to not follow up, but I'm not counting on a reply at this point lol Reply Share
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 08
    hr_newbie_co. 5 hr. ago "My wage has been based on your performance as a trainer instead of my performance as an employee" absolutely brilliant!!!! 425 Reply Share Responsible-Plenty64 OP 4 hr. ago That was my favourite part too 85 Reply Share
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 09
    mickskitz 19 min. ago Did they respond? Vote Reply Share Responsible-Plenty64 OP. 10 min. ago Not yet, update tomorrow if they do. The guy receiving that message probably had to cover my shift, and therefore is still there Vote Reply Share
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 10
    buffypatrolsbonnaroo 4 hr. ago LITERALLY! This is the position I'm in with my current job at $18/hour; took a huge pay cut for promises of a better work life balance and career advancement opportunities. I've been desperately applying for new jobs this week. 20 Reply Share
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 11
    Able-Bottle-8876 5 hr. ago What did your manager say next kinda curious and good for you! Reply Share 73 Responsible-Plenty64 OP 5 hr. ago It's been about 5 hours and nothing yet lol I don't expect to hear back 143 Reply Share
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 12
    dude198324 hr. ago He is probably I you quit but look at you getting a job before you tell him to stick it where the sun don't shine! I'm sure he tossed his phone across the room! Lol 54 Reply Share
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 13
    Mysterious_Outcome_3.5 hr. ago My fiance was a kitchen manager/cook for years. He consistently made at least 20 bucks an hour. Whoever is trying to get you to do that incredibly difficult job for 17 is an . Good for you for moving on! 51 Reply Share Responsible-Plenty64 OP 4 hr. ago Thank you! I've worked in lots of kitchens and never gone through this. For anyone reading this, how many of you have worked at a restaurant where just one person closes the whole place on their own? I'd never seen i
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 14
    PintSized Kitsune 5 hr. ago This is the classiest FU I've ever read. Congratulations on your new job and pay boost. 28 Reply Share
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 15
    buffypatrolsbonnaroo 4 hr. ago As someone who has worked FT and still works PT in the service industry, I can already tell by your response that you're the kind of manager that actually provides support and leads effectively. Good on you for knowing your worth! 23 Reply Share
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 16
    Responsible-Plenty64 OP 3 hr. ago THANK YOU! I literally spent 2 hrs in the dish pit the other day to show people that I wouldn't ask them to do something I wouldn't do, and 3 people individually came up to me and thanked me for doing it, 2 of them commenting on how literally no one will do it unless someone makes them, and that it was cool to see. Later I said "I'm done in the dish pit for tonight, don't ask me to go back in, and don't complain when I ask you to" Reply Share 17
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 17
    Otherwise-Force5608 3 hr. ago oof as a long time restaurant worker I JUST CASE Reply Share 12 Responsible-Plenty64 OP 3 hr. ago Allow me to send you digital spooning and breakfast lol 9 Reply Share
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64
  • 18
    firedrakewicked 5 hr. ago , pulling no punches. good for you! well said 7 Reply Share MrPotatoHead90 - 4 hr. ago That must have been damned satisfying to write. Nice work! 5 ↓ Reply Share
    via u/Responsible-Plenty64

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

customer service workplace discussion employment issues antiwork workplace-stories jobs employment-discussion job server waiter work customers waiting i quit quit customer talesfromyourserver food service service workplace Horrible Bosses tales from your server quitting employment service industry in the workplace
Scroll Down For The Next Article