Imagine making $2.13 an hour as a restaurant server, then being taken away from your “paying” job to put together a $735 takeout order consisting of 25 chicken dinners, 25 steak dinners and 25 side orders of potatoes, only to get stiffed in the end.
Would you be tempted to at least complain about it on your Facebook account?
That’s what happened to one Florida Outback steakhouse server, except she was fired for it thanks to a company policy forbidding workers from using social media to comment about customers.
In an interview with the Palm Beach Post, former Outback server Tamlynn Yoder described how she took a massive takeout order for a local megachurch, got stiffed, complained about it via Facebook, then got fired for it because it was a violation of company policy.
“We take the order over the phone, we put the order together, take payment and then take order to the car,” the 25-year-old former server told the Post. “It’s a lot of work just as much as serving.”
The order was placed by Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens, which was hosting a conference. As anyone who has waited tables knows, putting together any to-go orders costs tips from one’s regular tables.
“I brought it out, put it in the car,” said Yoder to Miami Fox affiliate WSVN-TV. “We received the payment. There was no gratuity. I got upset. I posted a post on Facebook about the church not leaving a gratuity tip.”
“Coming in to eat or takeout, you should automatically be wanting to tip 15 percent. From there, you either go up or go down based on service,” she added.
When her friend called the church to complain after reading Yoder’s post, the church tried to make it right. However, instead of allowing this, the restaurant chose to fire the server and even reportedly reimbursed the church for the original $735, much to the chagrin of church officials.
“We did not call the restaurant to have her fired, we wanted to get the situation resolved,” church official David Lonsberry told the Palm Beach Post. “That night, we had a volunteer go to the restaurant and pick up the order since we were having a big conference. He probably didn’t know to tip since it was a rush of the moment thing.”
While it’s hard to argue the waitress didn’t have a point, she still took some heat via Twitter for her Facebook complaint, as many defended the church which was unfairly being “raked over the coals” and slamming Outback for their poor response.
Posting as if she’s entitled is the real problem here. With that attitude she’s probably not the most amazing waitress anyway. The church should have tipped for such an order, but as you can see not many know. Sorry but I doubt I’m tipping on my 5.99 chicken tender to-go order.
— theArtofBrad (@theartofbrad) February 12, 2018
She had no business posting her rant on Facebook. There was a communication error, and when hearing about the problem, the church called the restaurant to give the waitress her tip. The church has been unfairly raked over the coals for this.
— Steve Vaughn (@SteveVaughn) February 12, 2018
A tip is called a “gratuity” for a REASON. I was a waitress for years and I never felt entitled to a tip. I certainly didn’t expect one for a take-out order, no matter how big it was. These kids today are entitled brats. https://t.co/t9HvHRyMtq #FoxNews
— Bobbing4Liberty (@Pats4Freedom) February 12, 2018
Most of the social media ire was directed at Outback…
#outbacksteakhouse is wrong for firing the waitress and that church should be embarrassed for not leaving a tip. They should that waitress all the money they were refunded. Bad move Outback. Disappointing
— Don McCoy (@HappyKewlGuy) February 12, 2018
Shame on you for firing the waitress AND for refunding that church their money. I’ll be sure to not dine at Outback.
— Arrest the Russian Spies (@ResistingBS) February 12, 2018
Never eat at @Outback ever again after a waitress was fired for Facebook post about a church not leaving a tip.
— bob barker (@enjoyinglifewpb) February 11, 2018
The waitress didn’t post where she worked but did post name of church. Church said they always tip but new volunteer didn’t know that. Church called restaurant to make things right not get her fired. Only one in wrong here is restaurant. We need a little forgiveness & humanity
— Donna spackman (@donna_spackman) February 11, 2018
SINCE YOU FIRED THE WAITRESS AFTER SHE DIDNT GET A TIP ,
I FEEL SO SICK ALL OF THE SUDDEN. I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EAT AT @Outback
Ever again..#BoycottOutbackSteakhouse@Rosie@SaysHummingbirdhttps://t.co/ykDOz57YSB— jennahanne (@jennah_justen) February 11, 2018
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