My boss gave me £1,000 after I was left in tears by customers who mocked my work – they humiliated me at a job I love
A RESTAURANT manager was given £1,000 from her boss after wealthy customers disrespected her for three hours over her low-wage job. Lily O’Connor, 22, said the customer used humiliating tactics to degrade her for the job she loves. One of the six men from a top legal firm asked her questions like how she makes […]
A RESTAURANT manager was given £1,000 from her boss after wealthy customers disrespected her for three hours over her low-wage job.
Lily O’Connor, 22, said the customer used humiliating tactics to degrade her for the job she loves.
One of the six men from a top legal firm asked her questions like how she makes a living in the job and why she doesn’t work seven days a week.
She was also allegedly touched unwillingly at the Cora restaurant in Cardiff, the MailOnline reported.
Lily said: “It was upsetting. I had to put up with that demeaning attitude while I served them seven courses.
“I was even told to ‘stick my schnoz in that’ after they complained about one of the wines I served them over the seven-course tasting menu.”
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The table downed seven bottles of wine and had a £1,000 bill, the highest since the restaurant reopened in January.
Chef and restaurant boss Lee Skeet originally told the firm it would refund their bill, taking off a £100 tip for Lily.
But he then decided to give the whole sum to her. The dad-of-two, who has banned the company, said: “It is not going to happen again – people should know that behaviour like that will not be tolerated in this restaurant.
“We have a tight-knit customer base and I want people to know that if anyone behaves like that they are not welcome here.”
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Lee has worked for celebrity chefs Gordan Ramsay, Marcus Wareing and Tom Aikens and said Lily was by far the best front-of-house manager. She has five years of experience in the industry.
He was in the kitchen at the time but said he noticed a change in Lily’s demeanour while serving, adding: “I could see she was a bit aggrieved and she told me they were not the nicest of people.
“It’s my responsibility to look after her – it made me feel like a bad employer and a terrible dad, having my own daughter.”
He then wrote online in a viral post: “Dear… I wanted to firstly thank you for choosing my restaurant for your meal tonight, and I understand you had the biggest bill we’ve ever had on one table here.
“Unfortunately throughout the evening I was made aware that your party’s behaviour was inappropriate towards Lily, who runs front of house.
“She has told me that – as a 22-year-old girl – she was talked down to, disrespected and touched unwantedly by members of your group.
“I have spent the last hour having conversations with her that break my heart, make me feel like a s*** employer, and a terrible dad, having my own daughter.
“Please provide your bank details and I will refund your entire bill of £1,000 minus £100 that I believe you should have tipped Lily – which I will pay directly to her – as you left no tip.
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“I would thank you to never come back to my restaurant. Lily means a lot more to me than money.
“I also think you should assess the people you surround yourself with.”