Working at a restaurant can come with many challenges. When it comes to serving customers, it is important to have an unbiased opinion and treat all customers equally despite their profession and your personal beliefs. However, when it comes to serving public officials, should we let our personal opinions get in the way of service? In one restaurant, a staff member got terminated from their position after refusing to serve a police officer. At Cook Out, an on duty Roxboro uniformed officer was denied service by two employees. The police officer was taking a break, grabbing a bite to eat during a night time shift. Upon the restaurant management team investigating the incident, they learned the employee did in fact refuse to take the officer’s order simply because he was in uniform. Another employee tried to take over the situation and take the officer’s order when the officer got suspicious.
The first employee who originally denied him service completely disappeared and someone else served him. Several employees did verify the incident and were in complete disbelief this occurred in their restaurant. The manager on duty did not realize how serious the incident was until the next day when she learned of the termination of the employee, as well as her termination. Higher management replied that the manager should have gone outside to take the officer’s order and serve him personally, however the store policy states for safety reason’s employees are not allowed outside after 9:45 PM. The officer filed a complaint with the restaurant management but didn’t want the employees to be fired. He spoke to his chief of police who also confirmed that they did not ask for the employees of the restaurant to be terminated. The restaurant responded that an employee leaves their post and decline service to anyone as long as they have someone to take over for them.
The higher management in the restaurant terminated the employment of the waitress that refused service of the police officer as well as the manager on duty for not properly handling and taking charge of the incident. There were two employees that denied the incident ever occurred and several employees that did witness the incident. Those that turned a blind eye were terminated from employment. Other employees were discouraged their co-workers would refuse to serve an officer despite public headlines. The incident was listed on Facebook as the manager who was on duty at the time of the incident did not personally witness the incident so she should not be terminated. Many people voiced their opinion and vouched for her stating her termination was uncalled for and she should be able to keep her job. Although many feel it is not fair, Wood still is left unemployed.
