How was this unprofessional behavior?

Question

I work for a restaurant, and recently we had an unusually warm sunny day for April. During my lunch break, I elected to sit outside under a nearby tree next to the restaurant and study a schoolbook. The shift manager suddenly came out with this panicked look on her face and said "Listen, there's a serious emergency inside, I have to send you home right now--I already clocked you out." I asked what was up, but she said "You're okay! You're okay! But you gotta go right now, I'll see you tomorrow next shift. Which locker was yours? I'll bring your stuff to your car."

The following day, I got pulled into the office and advised that the restaurant owner had been on the premises and was livid to see me outside reading a book while in uniform and in plain view of customers in the dining room. She said he was going to go outside and fire me right on the spot but she managed to talk him out of it. She also said that she rushed me off the premises because if I had gone back in the restaurant, he would have screamed my face off in front of everyone. She advised me to use the breakroom or if I wanted to hang outside, to change into put on a plain shirt.

I don't get what was so unprofessional that it warranted me almost getting fired--I could see if I was outside loudly cussing on my phone in uniform or drinking a beer after a shift, but reading a book? What was so unprofessional about that? If I were a customer in the dining room, I wouldn't have cared less!

linkus86 · Answer

Restaurants are a service industry where the kitchen and wait staff exist unseen unless working to serve the clientele.  You were both visible and idle while still on the clock.  You may not have cared if you were a guest in the dining room, but the owner isn't just concerned with them, but with everyone walking by who considers coming in, and seeing you on the property reading a book may not be appealing to them.

denise · Answer

The management should have made it clear that it was not allowed to sit / go outside in your uniform, this should have been made clear when you started to work there!.

Anonymous · Answer

Are there rules written down for breaks? Read them. If there is a policy - follow it.
My guess is there were no rules. But now you know that if you are going to hang out side on your break you better not be in uniform. Conflicts like this happen often enough in the restaurant business. I see fast-food workers clearly on break in dining area - and then customers come up to them and ask for things. Its not right, but if you are in uniform and in eyesight of customers in the dining room - they can call on you. So the owner had a point about that. But the reaction of the owner was inexcusable. Way too strict. I’d say do your job to the best of your ability and be all smiles, but really think if you belong there or not. If you make great tips maybe putting up with the cr@p from the owner is worth it. But if you aren’t making good money there - then just start looking for something else. When it’s time to go - give your two weeks notice and nothing more. Like it or not if you’ve been there a while you need them as a reference. Giving the two weeks notice is the way to go out with class. And offer to train your repalcement.

How was this unprofessional behavior?

3 Answers