New Manager Fires Her Most Tenured Bartender Over Minor Thing, Now 70% of Staff Wants To Quit

They had a no-drinking policy, so the bartender mixed a non-alcoholic beverage for herself. The manager didn't believe her.

Chelsi

• Published in Interesting
• October 6, 2023

A respected bartender unwittingly caused an exodus at the bar she worked for after a new manager fired her to teach other employees a lesson. OP worked for the bar for four years before the incident.

A customer who has been a regular for a decade offered OP $100 if she took a shot with him. OP made herself a sour mix and cranberry drink to match the color of the customer's alcoholic beverage.

OP wanted to make extra money but observed their bar's no-drinking policy for bartenders while she was on the clock. The new manager saw the entire exchange through security cameras.

OP was fired. She had no proof that the drink she mixed for herself was non-alcoholic, and she really couldn't be bothered to argue with the new manager, who was keen on proving her authority.

Besides, OP was preparing to leave the industry after her graduation and pursue a career in her field of studies. OP told the other bartenders in their group chat about what happened.

She trained most of them. The bartenders were upset on her behalf and began complaining about the new manager.

They said they didn't want to work at the bar anymore if OP was no longer an employee. They wanted to give the new manager a real headache by quitting simultaneously.

OP was pissed as well. She told the bartenders that if they didn't want their every move to be scrutinized or worry about an insame manager, then they should update their resumes.

She said they deserved better than to work for a psycho who will breathe down their necks when they've already proven they were good employees

OP thinks she allowed her emotions to drive her actions. Her sister told her she should have kept quiet.

OP shared the story to her old manager who always had her back. Their old manager actually taught OP the non-alcoholic shot trick to humor their customer's request.

Seven out of the 10 bartenders were seriously planning to quit after what happened to OP. Did OP take things too far?

Managers underestimate how quickly their questionable leadership styles can ruin the rapport in their teams

New manager just wanted to make an example out of OP. Her powertrip will soon backfire.

Wouldn't a verbal warning be enough to teach OP a lesson? Firing her for something so small seems like an overreaction.

OP's sound advice to her coworkers is not too much. It's what a good supervisor would do to protect the employees they trained and cared for.

Jobs are difficult but tolerable. Awful managers make them unbearable and affect morale.

OP's new manager just wanted to flex their authority. She underestimated OP's social standing among their coworkers.

There is no telling if the other employees quit anyway

Like OP, they could have made those promises under heightened emotions

Loyalty doesn't take priority when there are bills waiting to be paid

New manager couldn't handle it that there was someone else in the bar capable of running the place maybe even better than she could

There was no update if the other employees actually quit their jobs. OP said she hoped that they had jobs lined up if they planned to follow through with resigning.

OP's new manager probably felt insecure that she was highly recommended by the previous manager. She couldn't handle sharing her authority, so the moment OP slipped up, she fired her.

Chelsi