A waitress?!?!?

Mountain Nurse · Dec 13, 2005

My husband is also a paramedic, so I can sympathize in knowing that these guys wouldn't even think of going to work drunk, much less in front of their supervisors!! It's ridiculous that one waitress could change policy, even though public opinion is important for any public job. If five, ten people complained, maybe I could see them turning the party non-alcoholic. However, they did explain to them that there are three parties just so that all of them will be able to enjoy it.

KatieBell · Dec 13, 2005

I suppose public perception is important, BUT- I also think that a comment made by someone who's job was to serve food- not to interject her ideas and values was totally inappropriate.

I would have probably let her manager know that she was making the guests uncomfortable. (Except that I would imagine that would cost her the job and then she would end up in my ED- with no insurance...). She seems to be under the impression that health care professionals do nothing except take care of people....probably shocked her to see you all having a nice time.

BTW- that party with the river sounds super.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Dec 13, 2005

OH it was Katiebell! A few years back we actually went on a river cruise to see the Christmas ships all lit up closely! I am so thankful to have a company that really appreciates their employees enough to not only do a 5 star party once a year...but twice a year (also one in summer).

Wish I could find one though..LOL! My hubby gets all the luck, but hey...at least I get to tag along! LOL!

I agree..it was that gals job to serve, not to speak judgments about medical professionals. Heck, bet she has seen other professional parties that may have gotten out of line, and never said anything?!?!?! (sorry but I have gone to a few MD/FD parties that were wild!!! Time to finally break the shell and have fun...but they all stayed at a nearby hotel as part of the conditions to go, or had limo's/taxis reserved!).

nurse4theplanet, RN · Dec 13, 2005

well I bet that cut her tips quite a bit hahaha

this was a ridiculous decision. That really shows the confidence in you and your fellow employees integrity, competency, and good sense.

Are we children here??? Come on!

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Dec 13, 2005

Bless your heart! Yeah, I kinda thought it was a situation like "hi ya, professional here, of course I wouldn't drink...do you have such little faith in us???"

I guess some public opinion in my area believe that we are to work 24/7 without a life of our own...a time to do things everyone else does..heck, most often we are the ones to pick up their pieces when they have 'fun'. We have fun..and we SHOW it when we get those rare chances..but thing is...most of us are responsible, not just because we SEE what can go wrong and avoid it, but with our jobs....we need the break!

Katnip, RN · Dec 13, 2005

It's too bad the boss saw fit to cut back like that. I'm sure the hotel won't be so happy since they won't be making as much money this year because their won't be any alcohol served.

Stephanie in FL · Dec 13, 2005

The waitress didn't change the policy; the owner did.

Stephanie RN

startmeup · Dec 13, 2005

There's probably other reasons for stopping alcohol. One is the liability issue. Would the company be liable if someone got drunk at the party (even if the company didn't give it to them) and then got behind the wheel? The answer is yes.

Bipley · Dec 14, 2005

So I was talking to my hubby before going to his company Christmas party (he is a paramedic). I found out something very interesting about a new Christmas Party policy that was written from last year...
You see, we were allowed to purchase alcohol like wine or what not for our dinners (that company pulls out all the stops...the biggest 5 star restaurants in town!!!!! I love those parties! This year steak and lobster overlooking the Willamette River while the Christmas light ships floated by, it was wonderful!). But last year, a waitress came up to the owner and said, "I hope none of those guys has to help my family if they are drinking!".
Okay DUH! Not only does the company know who is going on duty in 12 or so hours and wouldn't let them even order a drink (who would dare anyway, the admin IS watching those that have to pull a shift within 12 hrs!!! Not any of them!), but the paramedics know ohhhhhh too well not to do that sort of thing (heck one year I couldn't because I was going to be at work in 12 hours...and I won't have a drop in 24 of a work day!). So even though the owner explained that none of these people are going on duty, but that he has to fork out money for three parties just to make sure all shifts have a chance to attend the party, he stopped all wine/beer/drinks at any company party!
Now, grantid...I don't mind at all, I don't need to drink to enjoy myself at all. But the whole 'one apple in the barrel' situation seems silly... If it had been two or three maybe..but one 18 year old waitress??? Oh brother...what next "oh that paramedic sneezed without a tissue, hope I don't have them" leading to being fired if they do???
Anyway...your thoughts. Please remember, it really isn't the issue of drinking..it is the fact that it only took one person to change a policy...
(Side note: Besides...people just ate and left and we all went to a fun bar with dueling pianos...it was a blast..if you see a place doing that...it is a riot! I wasn't sure if it would be, but I laughed so hard all night my sides ached the next day!)

A lot of employers are doing this. Too many people that drink too much, drive home, get in an accident, and sue their employer for serving alcohol.

I suspect there is more to it than what you are being told.

cjog · Dec 14, 2005

While I don't agree with the decision that was made in regards to allowing alcohol at your party, I don't think the waitress is to blame, and she should should not be knocked for it. If you were treating her for an illness in the hospital and said something like, "Well, I certainly hope your not going to wait on someone I know while your sick," it would be about the same type of comment. I am currently a second degree nursing student (first degree BA in English) and working as a waitress while in school, so sorry if I'm a little bit defensive of the waitstaff. It's the only proffesion I have worked in that has to put up with as much crap, if not more, than healthcare.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Dec 14, 2005

Cjog...I totally hear ya on that! It is funny actually, I was a waitress at Olive Garden near my home and quit within a week (well before becoming a nurse mind you) and went down to hostess because "I don't want to have to put up with people ordering me around without so much as a thank you or smile!" Okay and I became a nurse! LOL!!!!!!!!! ohhhhhh the irony of that brings tears of laughter and sadness..LOL!

Both fields sure have their rude clients to be sure...

I don't blame the waitstaff per say, do think the comment was not appropriate however. I don't commonly see waitstaff pouring wine then saying "gee, if you are having this...hope you don't have to go out and do anything important" to their patrons...it is rude, or even joking like "hope you aren't a doc or anything like that" while they get you that drink that they recommended...if one did...I would certainly be offended, and that is not quite the mood waitstaff should be shooting for...heck, our field either..LOL. But hey...these things happen, and from what I hear...they are no longer on the list of places our company will go in the future...so they lost business...BIG.

But alas...I don't mind it at all...don't really need alcohol at company Christmas parties with winter conditions on the road...gotta stay alert for the others who are on the road with a few too many in their system...