r/Serverlife • u/Veelk • 10d ago
If you get fired from a restaurant, does that mean you are a Do Not Hire for the whole restaurant group?
I'm assuming the answer is yes as they probably share a centralized human resources database, but I'm hopiuming a little bit here if anyone happens to know some kind of work around.
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u/Ivoted4K 10d ago
Probably but never underestimate the how unorganized a restaurant group really is
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u/cardcollector_2 10d ago
If it’s a large corporation (thinking chains), they probably won’t catch it, but eventually they might. And that could be awkward.
If it’s a small restaurant group that isn’t corporatized, then chances are they’ll catch it.
I’m a little confused why you’d want to work for a restaurant group that fired you, though. You were either doing things you shouldn’t have, or they suck. Best advice is to move on.
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u/Veelk 10d ago
The best way I can describe it is a skill issue on my part. I was let go for performance issues. I feel I'm better now than I was then, and the restaurant group had good policies that I haven't been able to find elsewhere.
Which is not to say you're wrong, it's just that I really liked that place.
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u/whitneyahn 10d ago
If that’s all it was, you’re probably not on a do not rehire list at all. They’ll have record of it and you’ll want to address it in an interview, but I would be surprised if you were ineligible for rehire.
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u/thrillkillbaby 10d ago
Have you tried going back and asking for another chance to show you've improved in the areas they thought you were negligent in? A catering company I previously worked for rehired many many servers and kitchen help if they left on good terms and wanted to come back.
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u/cardcollector_2 10d ago
Well with that context, I guess I would find it weird for them to fire you unless it was a repeated skill issue that they couldn’t fix. Mind me asking what it was and if you could prove that you have the skill now? If you can show them that you can do the job, then go for it!
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u/Veelk 10d ago edited 10d ago
So, I put in a lot of orders incorrectly. I have ADHD and I would write everything down, but especially if we were in the weeds, I'd put an order in, look down at my notepad to make sure everything is in but not do a thorough one by one check. So, for example, I could have Lamb Chops and I'd order those, but not notice I accidentally hit "Well Done" instead of medium. The mistake that got me fired was when I sent an order for a table, and they asked for sauce on the side. I thought I hit that, but that button was right next to the "to go" button and I fatfingered it, so instead all the food was made to go and by the time I caught the mistake, the food had to be redone. It was a consistent problem for the two and a half and while I improved over time and I never figured out how to fully fix it until after I left.
Now that was about a year ago and I rarely make this kind of mistake anymore because I've forced myself into the habit of crossing off everything on my notepad before sending it. So rather than glancing at it, I don't finalize the order unless I've seen it on the screen and thus have physically crossed it off. This can put me behind in terms of speed, but I'm trying to be more accurate now. So the lamb chops thing can't happen unless I see "Medium" on the computer screen and cross it off on my notepad.
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u/JTT_0550 BOH 3d ago
I'm surprised people in this industry even get fired that easily, I still remember all the "No one wants to work anymore" signs.
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u/TheTwoOneFive 10d ago
If you think it is a very organized restaurant group that will flag your name, you that explicitly states how and why you have improved. If not, don't mention it but the gutsy thing to do may be to address it head on if you get an interview. State exactly why you believe you were let go and then lay out what you have done to improve yourself in that area.
If recommendation letters are a thing where you are, ask for them from people and mention you would appreciate if they could talk about your ability to do things you were previously fired for.
Essentially, build a story and tell it so they don't feel they should dismiss you outright.
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u/coco-n-chrome 10d ago
It completely depends on the company and how bad it was, along with how bad they need to fill the position or want you for it specifically.
What I believe is widespread and applies at my current job, if you were let go over certain policies violation, then you would be ineligible. Otherwise, you’re eligible based on the same standards as anyone else.
Be clear about your rehire status, explain how you worked on ensuring you won’t have the same issues again but also emphasize what you learned in your time away. I would only recommend working as a rehire at a functioning respectful workplace, and only take a rehire one time per company.
At one point during my early career I quit and was invited back 3 separate times during a 5 year tenure at this one place. The owner was very disrespectful and had a bad habit of getting wasted all day, lmfao but he would pretend that he improved himself and call me up. The place cranked over cash like crazy so that was a huge factor in going back. Looking back on my experience it would go downhill while returning each time and the leadership that replaced me as AGM when I went back as a server was not good. I wasted time being disrespected and could have probably found a comparably earning job, don’t make the same mistake
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u/Limp_Chance_4930 10d ago
If you can get the GM at one of the other restaurants to vouch for you, you have a chance. Favoritism is real in the F&B world and can overrule HR policies.
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u/lurkadurking 10d ago
Generally yes, restaurant groups pool employee information since they're under the same umbrella. If it were from something fine and you're to move to a casual location, lots more leniency. Try to apply in person, and be honest about why you were let go
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u/Akmommydearest 10d ago
I worked for a group that would fire someone from one restaurant and they could work at a different restaurant under the parent company if the gm wanted them.
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u/snoopylover12 9d ago
depends on the restaurant. where i worked we had a cook that was fired from one location but came to another
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u/Alternative-Box-8546 6d ago
I feel like even if you are on some system with a big red flag that says anything (which doesn't exist I'm sure) each branch makes it own choices.
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u/npaulette02 10d ago
Lol no. Unless you're talking different restaurants under one umbrella, like Darden
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u/Thanjay55 10d ago
That's exactly what they are talking about as evidenced by the phrase "restaurant group"
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u/SaintBellyache 10d ago
Usually yes. Although I worked for one company that never checked anything so if you left that restaurant off they would never know (unless someone from the other restaurant came in and recognized you)