It has come to my attention that there are several people attacking the owners of the new Italian restaurant in town, Mama Mia’s, over an employee that has a reputation for causing disruptions and is part of the same organization that has caused drama in this town since it got started (Hate Has No Home Here). Now, there is an absurd effort in the community to shut the place down.
Several “Hate Has No Home Here” members (in addition to the employee), are targeting this restaurant, saying that they were “discriminating against a person with a disability.” Therefore, they have launched what they call “a public shaming” campaign, labeling this business as “hateful.” This entire incident had nothing to do with prejudice; otherwise, the employee would have never been hired in the first place. He simply wasn’t meeting their expectations, so he was fired.
It is not my objective to chastise anyone or even take sides, because (frankly) it’s none of my business. And if you’re honest with yourselves, its none of your businesses either.
Like many business owners, I have had to deal with service providers and hire freelancers to assist in getting various jobs accomplished. If they do not properly do the job and do not meet the requirements necessary, I fire them. It’s a reality that every successful businessman must face. You can’t pay someone for not doing their job properly.
You may feel that the employee was doing their job properly, but it’s not your restaurant, so it’s not your call to make.
The owner of Mama Mia’s Restaurant was dissatisfied with the performance of an employee. The employee became belligerent, so the business owner was firm back and fired him.
Then, rather than remaining professional, the fired employee started cussing out his former employer on his social media account.
We must all remember that there are two sides to every story. None of us are aware of what was going on behind the scenes; therefore, we are in no place to really even have an opinion, especially an educated one.
Today, I ordered a pepperoni roll from Mama Mia’s Restaurant and I must admit that it was the best pepperoni roll I’ve ever eaten from an Italian restaurant. Their food is beyond delicious and Buckhannon finally has another great restaurant. This community would be foolish and tasteless if they fail to support this restaurant; especially, if they attempt to shut it down over a dramatized story that had nothing to do with a person’s “disabilities.”
The wonderful Italian owner knows a decent amount of English, but he is just trying to open a restaurant for people to enjoy. He had a rough first day, because of this unfortunate incident; however, to judge this entire restaurant off of one incident like this is ridiculous.
Also ask yourself the questions: do you ever lose your temper? Do you function calmly when you’re under a tremendous amount of stress?
If you were in the position of the business owner and you invested a large sum of money into your business, only to have someone create a dramatic event, causing public perception to view your business unfavorably, how would you feel? Everything that you worked so hard for… gone over a disgruntled employee trashing you on Facebook.
We are better than this, Buckhannon.
Also, we must take into account that this was the owner’s first day. He was already under a ton of stress, and if an employee became belligerent (on top of it), action had to be taken. So, let’s give this place another chance, and welcome the owner into our community.
I think that most people deserve a second chance.
