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This Restaurant Manager Is Firing People For Refusing To Pay For Meals They Don’t Even Eat And It’s Infuriating
It’s not unheard of for employers to abuse their authority over their staff. However, some of them take it too far, making their actions not only unethical but in some cases even illegal. Take for instance Gary, who’s an owner/manager at one of the Golden Corral restaurants in Ohio. Last year, one of his employees posted Gary’s “meal policy” on Imgur under the username theweby.
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The “meal policy” made commenters really angry because it states that every employee must pay $4 for a meal on each work day. Sounds like nothing to be angry about, right? Well, according to theweby, Gary doesn’t care whether you eat any food from the restaurant or not, you still have to pay.
Theweby wrote in their post: “UPDATE: The manager/owner has retracted the letter for revisement. All other info is unknown at this time. I have messaged GC on multiple platforms with no response back.. This man needs to get out of the city.. This isn’t the first time he has tried something like this
Okay folks, this is complete bullcrap.
Golden Corral last week, per the manager / owner Gary that all employees have to pay $ 4.00 per day for meals.
Whether you eat there or not, regardless if you are fasting for religious beliefs, regardless if you eat elsewhere, or you are not hungry that day.
Golden Corral will take $ 4.00 out of your paycheck for every day you work.
As some servers sometimes do not get a pay check because of tips, they still have to pay $ 4.00 day.
They do not care, they will take $ 4.00/ out of your pay check without your permission
Gary is firing people for refusing to pay this.
Let’s make them famous, and not eat there anymore.”
For most people, this policy seemed to be neither fair nor legal
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What do you think ?
Hans 5 years ago
But how can it be legal that break times are not paid? Is this truly the case in the US?
Load More Replies...
Donna Cheung 5 years ago
So... you get a free 5-minute break for smoking, which is not necessary for survival (in fact it's quite the opposite), but no break for eating, which is necessary.
Misterscooter 5 years ago
Summary: A manager did something stupid and illegal and the internet is *pissed*.
Night Owl 5 years ago (edited)
Pretty much, yeah. But there's a legitimate reason for the employees who work for him to be angry
Load More Replies...
TC 5 years ago
They said some people don't get paid because they get tips? What country is this again?
Wil Vanderheijden 5 years ago
It's a good thing that places where workers are treated like slaves get this kind of negative publicity. A lot of people will stop visiting them. There's no way to convince an entrepreneur more to change something than decreasing profits.
diane a 5 years ago (edited)
I cant imagine a job with no wages - and having to rely on tips for your income. Like it's a privelige to be able to turn up - unpaid - and rely on the customers giving you money. Disgraceful. The whole "tipping economy" is wrong. In the UK we will leave a tip as a bonus on top of their wages - certainly not expecting it to be their only income. No wonder people in the US feel obligated and expected to pay an extra 20% on top of their actual bill. In the UK it is a gesture of appreciation, according to your own means.
Ross Carter 5 years ago
Sorry but the comments annoyed me more than the article! Pregidous? Is that supposed to be prejudiced? Plus how could anyone calling themselves a 'professional' in all seriousness use the word 'totes'! I'm done, I swear!
diane a 5 years ago
I think they maybe meant predjudicial - hard to tell - Lol. think Predigious means - important
Load More Replies...
Noez 5 years ago
As a smoker myself I find it a bit odd that employees are allowed to stay on the clock for smoke breaks but not to eat? I mean, eating is a must and smoking is not! Personally I smoke on the job when I have the time, on slow days I might have an extra smoke break just because of boredom but if I have a busy day I prefer stickning to nicorettes. My point is I don't count my use of cigarettes to be a part of my work day. Lunch and coffee (+toilet) breaks are a part of the work day. The necessary stuff, you know.
Nikki D 5 years ago
Wait, if they get tips they don't get paid a wage at all? How is that legal? I may have only made $3 an hour, but my tips were mine and did not affect that wage.
Herb Eaversmells 5 years ago
Because: if servers get tipped in cash, they keep the cash and report it as wages. The taxes are then taken out of paycheck. At the rate of their hourly plus tips. Example, the server is paid three dollars per hour. In that hour they receive 50$ in tips. So for that hour of work, they earned 53$. They are taxed at 53 dollars from their paycheck, so that three dollars may not cover the taxes, or hardly cover it resulting in a tiny paycheck.... Does that make sense?
Load More Replies...
Bored Fox 5 years ago
Here in Finland many restaurants have 2 different options for the employee - you bring your own food and you get paid full salary or you eat the restaurant food and that is readuced from your salary. Usually the reduced amount is so small that it is a good idea to eat the restaurant food - especially if the restaurant makes healthy and tasty foods. :)
Gracie Mae 5 years ago
Not sure if this is legal or not, but I wouldn't think so. I have a relative that works for a pizza joint that does this as well--they get charged $20 (wkly or bi-wkly, not sure) for meals whether they actually eat or not, even if they're only part-time...
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
They expect people to eat pizza every day for lunch? That's completely ridiculous!
Load More Replies... sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago
Where has this taken place, I do not know the law but I thought tips were not part of wages, if getting min, wages tips help !!!
Kirk McLoren 5 years ago
$4 to access the buffet for half an hour? Sounds good to me. How many ribs can you eat in a half hour?
Stille20 5 years ago
As someone who has managed a staff for about 10 years I have noticed a recent trend of complaining, but not actually doing anything about it. The staff were posting ONLINE that their work space was dim, but no one reported that they need a new light bulb. Don't go online with the sh**. Report it!
Donna Cheung 5 years ago
I think if reporting it works, then more people would be reporting. But the fact is, people who try to stand up against illegal/ inappropriate behaviour from the authorities usually get penalised for them. THIS is the problem.
Load More Replies...
Yoon van Haute 5 years ago
They should just take really big amountd and what they dont finish take home to feed the family 😂
Gwinevere von Ludwig 5 years ago
I worked at a Golden Corral in VA in high school (over 30 years ago). Nice to hear that they still suck in every way possible.
Klaudiia Sherbatzky 5 years ago
Not get a pay check because of the tips?????? Is this for real??? I never heard something like that
Blakkur Sverrir 5 years ago
Know someone working at a hotel in switzerland. The meal policy seems to be common there. Dont know about smoking brakes though
Penny Kemper 5 years ago
There is actually no laws about breaks except if you work 5 hours you get 30 min break. The rest are only suggested breaks and not legally required. But yes the deduction is wrong if you don't eat the meal.
Jane Thorne-Gutierrez 5 years ago
Can't even do an up vote. Wrong, illegal and hope it's reported!
jennifer oliver 5 years ago
Has anyone ever watched Sponge Bob where Mr. Krabs charges the employees to work there plus they have to pay 25 cents to use the bathroom? This sounds eerily similar to that episode. Basically, GC employees are required to pay $4 a day to work there. REALLY? Creators of Sponge Bob had family or friends working for GC. He is either a smoker or his significant other is a smoker. Never once heard of management approving smokers to take paid smoke breaks in addition to other unpaid breaks. He has to be a family member of the owner who is unable to keep employment. So instead of loaning him money they made him a manager at GC. I want me a job there long enough to get in on the civil suits piling up.
jennifer oliver 5 years ago
Has anybody ever watched that Sponge Bob episode where Mr. Krabs charges the employees 25 cents to use the bathroom. I think they also had to pay him to work at the Krusty Krab as well. This sounds eerily similar to Mr. Krabs. Basically the GC employees pay $4 a day to work there. Sponge Bob's creator must have friends or family that works for GC. LOL Who admits to giving smokers paid time to smoke? Never once heard of management acknowledging approval of smokers on the clock smoking. He either is a smoker or his significant other is a smoker. I want me a job there just long enough to get in on the many law suits piling up due to this idiot. He must be a family member of the owner and didn't have nothing going for him so they gave him a management job to keep him with employment.
Effseven Six 5 years ago
I dont know where they are, but in cali its 2 breaks and a lunch in a 8 hour day. I've never had a job that had unpaid breaks, just lunches. I'm a smoker too, and only smoke on my 2 breaks, which are 15 min, but I only take 5 unless I'm multitasking, like making a phone call to pay a bill or something.
Kiki 5 years ago
This is basically how health insurance works. You pay each month whether you use medical service or not.
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
Why are there so many people who do not understand how insurance works?! Any serious illness or even care for a premature baby would easily bankrupt a person! It's way more money than you could ever pay into your insurance in a lifetime.
Load More Replies...
William Teach 5 years ago
Again, sorry, not buying it. There are no stories out there on this. One would have thought a media outlet would have gotten involved, the way they love to. The document looks manipulated, per the distortions all over it. Misspellings. Someone was just trying to be Internet Famous.
Hans 5 years ago
But how can it be legal that break times are not paid? Is this truly the case in the US?
Load More Replies... Donna Cheung 5 years ago
So... you get a free 5-minute break for smoking, which is not necessary for survival (in fact it's quite the opposite), but no break for eating, which is necessary.
Misterscooter 5 years ago
Summary: A manager did something stupid and illegal and the internet is *pissed*.
Night Owl 5 years ago (edited)
Pretty much, yeah. But there's a legitimate reason for the employees who work for him to be angry
Load More Replies... TC 5 years ago
They said some people don't get paid because they get tips? What country is this again?
Wil Vanderheijden 5 years ago
It's a good thing that places where workers are treated like slaves get this kind of negative publicity. A lot of people will stop visiting them. There's no way to convince an entrepreneur more to change something than decreasing profits.
diane a 5 years ago (edited)
I cant imagine a job with no wages - and having to rely on tips for your income. Like it's a privelige to be able to turn up - unpaid - and rely on the customers giving you money. Disgraceful. The whole "tipping economy" is wrong. In the UK we will leave a tip as a bonus on top of their wages - certainly not expecting it to be their only income. No wonder people in the US feel obligated and expected to pay an extra 20% on top of their actual bill. In the UK it is a gesture of appreciation, according to your own means.
Ross Carter 5 years ago
Sorry but the comments annoyed me more than the article! Pregidous? Is that supposed to be prejudiced? Plus how could anyone calling themselves a 'professional' in all seriousness use the word 'totes'! I'm done, I swear!
diane a 5 years ago
I think they maybe meant predjudicial - hard to tell - Lol. think Predigious means - important
Load More Replies... Noez 5 years ago
As a smoker myself I find it a bit odd that employees are allowed to stay on the clock for smoke breaks but not to eat? I mean, eating is a must and smoking is not! Personally I smoke on the job when I have the time, on slow days I might have an extra smoke break just because of boredom but if I have a busy day I prefer stickning to nicorettes. My point is I don't count my use of cigarettes to be a part of my work day. Lunch and coffee (+toilet) breaks are a part of the work day. The necessary stuff, you know.
Nikki D 5 years ago
Wait, if they get tips they don't get paid a wage at all? How is that legal? I may have only made $3 an hour, but my tips were mine and did not affect that wage.
Herb Eaversmells 5 years ago
Because: if servers get tipped in cash, they keep the cash and report it as wages. The taxes are then taken out of paycheck. At the rate of their hourly plus tips. Example, the server is paid three dollars per hour. In that hour they receive 50$ in tips. So for that hour of work, they earned 53$. They are taxed at 53 dollars from their paycheck, so that three dollars may not cover the taxes, or hardly cover it resulting in a tiny paycheck.... Does that make sense?
Load More Replies... Bored Fox 5 years ago
Here in Finland many restaurants have 2 different options for the employee - you bring your own food and you get paid full salary or you eat the restaurant food and that is readuced from your salary. Usually the reduced amount is so small that it is a good idea to eat the restaurant food - especially if the restaurant makes healthy and tasty foods. :)
Gracie Mae 5 years ago
Not sure if this is legal or not, but I wouldn't think so. I have a relative that works for a pizza joint that does this as well--they get charged $20 (wkly or bi-wkly, not sure) for meals whether they actually eat or not, even if they're only part-time...
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
They expect people to eat pizza every day for lunch? That's completely ridiculous!
Load More Replies... sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago
Where has this taken place, I do not know the law but I thought tips were not part of wages, if getting min, wages tips help !!!
Kirk McLoren 5 years ago
$4 to access the buffet for half an hour? Sounds good to me. How many ribs can you eat in a half hour?
Stille20 5 years ago
As someone who has managed a staff for about 10 years I have noticed a recent trend of complaining, but not actually doing anything about it. The staff were posting ONLINE that their work space was dim, but no one reported that they need a new light bulb. Don't go online with the sh**. Report it!
Donna Cheung 5 years ago
I think if reporting it works, then more people would be reporting. But the fact is, people who try to stand up against illegal/ inappropriate behaviour from the authorities usually get penalised for them. THIS is the problem.
Load More Replies... Yoon van Haute 5 years ago
They should just take really big amountd and what they dont finish take home to feed the family 😂
Gwinevere von Ludwig 5 years ago
I worked at a Golden Corral in VA in high school (over 30 years ago). Nice to hear that they still suck in every way possible.
Klaudiia Sherbatzky 5 years ago
Not get a pay check because of the tips?????? Is this for real??? I never heard something like that
Blakkur Sverrir 5 years ago
Know someone working at a hotel in switzerland. The meal policy seems to be common there. Dont know about smoking brakes though
Penny Kemper 5 years ago
There is actually no laws about breaks except if you work 5 hours you get 30 min break. The rest are only suggested breaks and not legally required. But yes the deduction is wrong if you don't eat the meal.
Jane Thorne-Gutierrez 5 years ago
Can't even do an up vote. Wrong, illegal and hope it's reported!
jennifer oliver 5 years ago
Has anyone ever watched Sponge Bob where Mr. Krabs charges the employees to work there plus they have to pay 25 cents to use the bathroom? This sounds eerily similar to that episode. Basically, GC employees are required to pay $4 a day to work there. REALLY? Creators of Sponge Bob had family or friends working for GC. He is either a smoker or his significant other is a smoker. Never once heard of management approving smokers to take paid smoke breaks in addition to other unpaid breaks. He has to be a family member of the owner who is unable to keep employment. So instead of loaning him money they made him a manager at GC. I want me a job there long enough to get in on the civil suits piling up.
jennifer oliver 5 years ago
Has anybody ever watched that Sponge Bob episode where Mr. Krabs charges the employees 25 cents to use the bathroom. I think they also had to pay him to work at the Krusty Krab as well. This sounds eerily similar to Mr. Krabs. Basically the GC employees pay $4 a day to work there. Sponge Bob's creator must have friends or family that works for GC. LOL Who admits to giving smokers paid time to smoke? Never once heard of management acknowledging approval of smokers on the clock smoking. He either is a smoker or his significant other is a smoker. I want me a job there just long enough to get in on the many law suits piling up due to this idiot. He must be a family member of the owner and didn't have nothing going for him so they gave him a management job to keep him with employment.
Effseven Six 5 years ago
I dont know where they are, but in cali its 2 breaks and a lunch in a 8 hour day. I've never had a job that had unpaid breaks, just lunches. I'm a smoker too, and only smoke on my 2 breaks, which are 15 min, but I only take 5 unless I'm multitasking, like making a phone call to pay a bill or something.
Kiki 5 years ago
This is basically how health insurance works. You pay each month whether you use medical service or not.
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
Why are there so many people who do not understand how insurance works?! Any serious illness or even care for a premature baby would easily bankrupt a person! It's way more money than you could ever pay into your insurance in a lifetime.
Load More Replies... William Teach 5 years ago
Again, sorry, not buying it. There are no stories out there on this. One would have thought a media outlet would have gotten involved, the way they love to. The document looks manipulated, per the distortions all over it. Misspellings. Someone was just trying to be Internet Famous.
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