This Chef In Manchester Was Called ‘Lazy’ For Using Phone At Work, Got Fired! Here’s What Went Down

by Mallika Khurana
This Chef In Manchester Was Called ‘Lazy’ For Using Phone At Work, Got Fired! Here’s What Went Down

Getting fired from work is the worst nightmare for most of us. Every time we start a new job, we spend a lot of time and effort in making our place in a new atmosphere, amongst new people. But imagine if you get fired for something that isn’t even technically a fireable offence. Well, this chef from Manchester didn’t have to imagine. Rather, she went through this disappointing incident. A 20-year-old chef named Sophie Alcock alleged that she had been wrongfully fired from her position after only two weeks of employment. 

A Chef In Manchester Was Fired For Using Phone At Work

Manchester
Photo Credits: Canva

Sophie claims that her boss fired her for using her phone during her shift. He even called it “the worst day of work he has ever seen” and cited it as the reason. A Toast employee in Withington, Manchester, Sophie told her boss Matt on July 6 that she might be distracted while awaiting her degree results. During that moment, Matt seemed to be okay with it. However, she learned from a colleague the following evening about a rumour suggesting she might be fired. We can imagine the horrifying chills that must have gone down her spine.

After Sophie finished her shift the following day, a different chef approached her and inquired as to whether Matt had spoken to her. She asked jokingly if she was going to be fired, and they said yes. Since she was concerned about her employment status, she sent Matt an email to find out what was going on because she was worried. The boss later scheduled a meeting, and Sophie secretly recorded the conversation on her phone during that time.

In the meeting, Matt called Sophie “lazy” and berated her work ethic, calling it the worst he had ever seen. Sophie refuted these charges, claiming that there were mitigating circumstances and that she was capable of doing better. She made a point that she had proof on her iPhone that she had not spent the alleged four hours on her phone. During her nine-hour shift, Sophie acknowledged that she used her phone for about an hour. 

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The Cafe Later Acknowledged The Incident

Manchester chef
Photo Credits: Canva

Toast later acknowledged Sophie’s departure but chose not to give further details regarding why she had been fired. They demonstrated their readiness to respond to Sophie’s issues and make changes in light of her criticism. The spokesperson made it clear that Sophie would receive payment for the time she worked. 

Irrespective of the reason behind her using the phone, it certainly doesn’t sound like something one should get fired for. 

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva

First Published: July 24, 2023 8:04 PM