upscale steakhouse

September 18, 2008

Establishment: Steak house

Location: Van Ness

My major complaint is the way I was treated when I was sick. I nearly passed out on the floor (I was not a server, but I worked FOH) and so I ran to the back where I collapsed on the chair and sat for a minute to re-gain my composure. My manager bitched me out for taking a 2 minute break without notifying him (if I had taken the time to do that, I would have passed out in front of 100+ guests). I requested to go home, because I was achy, shaking, and had cold chills, though my face was flushed. I was told I had to stay to the end of my shift– though at this point I was in tears because I was in so much pain. I had to have a server intervene on my behalf (after I fell crying in his arms) so I could leave. Upon arriving home, my boyfriend took one look at me and rushed me to the ER– as it turns out, I had a 102*F temp, a throat infection, and a long-term viral infection. I was told to stay in bed for several weeks. When I called in sick the next day, explaining everything that happened, this was the response I was given: "Can you come in anyway tonight? We really need to have you here. Calling in sick is a real inconveinence to us right now." Nevermind that I was under doctor’s orders and would be a danger to the customers… during my 3 weeks I was out, I was called every other night ("we need you in here, can you take so-and-so’s shift?") without regard to the fact I said I was not allowed to work for 3 weeks. When I finally returned, I had to return to the doctor’s office that week– I scheduled my appointment for 6 hours before my shift, but I ended up having to stay through the start of my shift so more testing could be done– I found out 3 hours in advance and called in sick– they told me to call around (while in the ER) for a substitute since I was the one calling off so frequently. When I returned, I was also put on restricted hours (much lower than I was typically scheduled) by orders of my doctor, and they scheduled me for twice as many hours, then berated me when I told them (well in advance) what shifts I would not be able to work, for said reason.

If I had been calling off because of a cold, I would feel more sympathetic towards their position. However, when I have a serious medical condition, (and medical records to prove it) I found it extremely offensive. I know being short an employee isn’t easy, but I don’t find that an excuse to abuse and hound an extremely sick employee. When you’re sick, you’re sick– management should be big enough to deal with it and find a substitute, not try and con extra hours off of a seriously sick employee.

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