A Very Thin Line

OK, I'm sure you're all dying to know what results were achieved after I submitted the reports? Well, I can only tell you what I have been told and that is, "One of them has been dealt with and we're dealing with the other." That was the exact phrase I received from the HR Manager when I asked. I don't know which was resolved and which issue remains open.

I did, briefly, meet the new manager at Hotel B the other morning, and I have to say that he looks very professional and seems to know what he's doing. We also have someone from head office covering the recently vacated F&B Manager position. I'm pretty sure it was a massive shock for them coming from head office to our hotel. Everyone has been told to be on their best behaviour while they are here. There has also been a large increase in the amount of paperwork and the rules which we now have to follow.

But I'm pretty certain you don't want to know about all the boring parts, you want to read about the interesting things that happen. Well, at Hotel B, there is always something happening.

On Friday morning, I was carrying out one of the tasks detailed in the new "Night Manager's Checklist" when I heard a noise at the front door. So I downed tools and went to investigate. I didn't manage to get to the door, as I noticed the Barman standing at the window, I gestured for him to go to the door and I would open it for him. As I was doing so, he promptly opened the window from the outside and climbed in. The conversation which followed, annoyed me.

"Why is the back door locked?"
"Because all external doors to the hotel are locked at night."
"That door needs to stay open at night so any f**kin' one can get in."
"Well, I was asked to ensure that door was locked by the Head Chef several weeks ago."
"Don't listen to *name deleted*, he's a f**king Nazi."
"If you need to gain access to the hotel, the front door is always open."
"That back door shouldn't be locked, man. Don't listen to the f**kin' Nazi's, man."

I was taken aback at these comments, but decided to leave it be. I don't tolerate racism, directly or indirectly, in the workplace, so I made a note of all the times and what was said in order to pass on the details to the manager in the morning. But I forgot to inform the manager.

The next night, the majority of the staff finished their shift and disappeared off to the pub. I asked one of them when they'd be back and they told me that the pub closed at one, so they would be back a short while after that.

At around ten past one, I was sitting in the lounge awaiting their return, when I heard loud footsteps coming down the corridor. I walked out of the lounge and noticed the Barman coming towards me, not looking too happy.

"You didn't f**kin' listen, did you?"
"Sorry?"
"I told you last night that the back door stays OPEN so any f**king one can come in."
"Well, the Manager hasn't told me any different..."
"I spoke to everyone today, the Manager, HR, f**kin' everyone and they all said that the back door should stay open."
"Well they haven't told me that this is the case."

He then used the back of his hand and struck it aggressively off my right shoulder.

"You need to learn to f**kin' listen, man."

Up until that point, I was quite happy for the racial slurs to go unnoticed, but not now. Now I had a report (and a blog entry) to write. The report, detailing both incidents, was typed up and left for the Manager and the HR Manager. But, as with most 'disciplinary' proceedings within this hotel/company, he'll say sorry and say that he was drunk and nothing more will be said.

Again, you'll have to wait a week for any updates on this.