Waitress sacked for giving away dessert
A PUB waitress nicknamed 'Tina from Slovenia' by colleagues was sacked – for giving away free puddings to customers.
Tina Zorc, of Bankhouse Road, Hanford, took her former employer to an employment tribunal after being axed from the Cherry Tree pub, in Newcastle, earlier this year.
The 25-year-old claimed for unfair dismissal and race discrimination after being offended by the 'Tina from Slovenia' taunts.
But the tribunal this week rejected her claim as she had not worked at the company for a full year.
Tina, who moved to the UK from Slovenia four years ago, said she was told to give away two apple pies by a senior staff member.
The tribunal also heard claims that her former boss, Mark Fitzsimon, and other staff had called her 'Tina from Slovenia'. Mr Fitzsimon denied making such remarks.
She said: "'Tina from Slovenia' used to be sung to me and I was made fun of.
"I was then told to give two apple pies away as complimentary, which they do all the time for customer complaints. I didn't ask twice because I was told.
"But the day after I was fired for stealing desserts. I used to take thousands of pounds to the post office for them. Why would I steal desserts?
"My record had been perfect. The only time I had time off was when I lost a baby.
"I came to the country for new opportunities, to find out if it was as fair as people said it was. But now I want to go home as soon as possible.
"I have had no apology and no reference."
Tina first worked at the Cherry Tree in 2007 before it closed for refurbishment. She then returned from March 2008 to January.
Tribunal chairman Malcolm Beard said Tina's claims were out of time and that she had not been continually employed for 12 months. Claimants must be employed for a full 12 months to qualify to make a claim for unfair dismissal.
But Mr Beard said he believed Tina had been called 'Tina from Slovenia' after reading testimonies from other staff.
He said: "Normally, the firm would have issues to answer to because the phrase could be classed as harassment."
The pub's new manager, who has been running the pub since in April, declined to comment as the incidents took place before he worked there.
Pub chain Greene King, which owns the venue in London Road, was unavailable for comment.
28 Comments
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by Neil, Newcastle-under lyme
Thursday, December 10 2009, 12:26PM
“The answer to what goes around comes around is
It shouldn't be so!
If employment law was correct all employees would be protected from this kind of discrimination and abuse.
Please get in touch with your MPs and complain about the 12 mounth rule and the unjust reference system.
If employees have done nothing wrong then their employers should have nothing to be afraid of and accept there responsibilities to provide a save working environment from day 1”
by Matt, Stokie in voluntary exile in London
Thursday, December 10 2009, 9:08AM
“People of Stoke, thanks for illustrating why you only deserve minimum wage jobs and why those of us with education get the flock out of the place.”
by Tim, BLOKE from STOKE
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 9:43PM
“Girl from Stoke perhaps you could join Tina from Slovenia and disapear from here.
i'm a poet and i didn't know it.”
by james, newcastle
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 9:33PM
“I support the girl. She has done nothing wrong.”
by Rustinho, Silverdale
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 9:02PM
“Pride in where you were born, much like pride in your race, has always seemed pretty stupid to me. I mean, its not like you have any influence on either so what is there to be proud of?
Pride in your own achievements and hard work is a different matter entirely.
I suspect there are two sides to this story with right and wrong on both of them.
I don't quite see why this merits a news story. The comments of most contributors come as no surprise.”
by ex greeneking manager, meir park
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 8:55PM
“I actually did the investigation meeting for this case, she did not deserve to get sacked and was offered an apology and reference on the appeal. But she refused and wanted to take the case further. At the end of the day you have no rights if you have less than one years service”
by paul, newcastle
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 8:02PM
“Dear Mr Gordon Brown the answer to the countries immigration problems is simple give them a job at the cherry tree they go home at their own accord if you do lol”
by Steve, Longton
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 6:37PM
“While reading Girl from Stoke's condescending post, one monotonous word, just like its call, kept echoing in my head, and that was cuckoo. Cuckoos take over the occupancies of others while demanding sustenance and the support from their put on hosts and anybody would have to be cuckoo to acclaim such a situation as being just.
Girl from Stoke, and I very much doubt she is, deserves our contempt and should have her disgust slung back at her.”
by nicky, ex work coll
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 6:31PM
“Tina, what goes around comes around,
I worked with her she accused me of the very same thing, she is rude and ignorant.
She was placed as a supervisor and had a number of staff dismissed for petty minor things.
The place is better off without her.”
by me, staffs borough
Wednesday, December 09 2009, 4:57PM
“Girl from Stoke..... You don't have an accent? Think everyone has an accent! How long have you lived in stoke?”