Restaurant Owner's Text Message Layoffs Upset Employees: 'It's Cowardice' (VIDEO)
A restaurant owner's text message layoffs have upset his employees, some of whom had worked there for years. Barducci's Italian bistro in Winter Park, Fla. closed, but instead of receiving a face-to-face explanation or a phone call, 12 employees got a short text message on July 4.
The restaurant owner who used text messages to layoff his workers is Greg Kennedy. His Italian eatery had run into some financial issues recently, and he decided to let his employees know not to come back the quickest way possible.
"I unfortunately need to inform you that I have been forced to close Barducci's effective immediately. Despite my efforts there were circumstances that I was not able to address," Kennedy sent out to over 12 employees via SMS. "I wish you all the best and sincerely thank you for everything you have done. Any final payroll checks will be addressed after the accounting has been finalized."
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The impersonal action offended employees like Jodi Jackson, a cook who had worked there for nearly two years. Her message promised to pay her and the other employees their last paychecks by Friday, but 10 days later, they still had not come.
"I think it's immoral. I think it's cowardice," she told WFTV in an interview. "I think we all deserve our compensation for money that he's already made from us."
After Jackson discussed Kennedy's methods with the media, WFTV attempted to contact the employer about the way employees were laid off. Instead of returning their phone calls, Kennedy chose to text once again.
"Unfortunately businesses are forced to close across Orlando every day especially in the restaurant sector. I am working to resolve issues quickly including final paychecks as quickly as possible," he said via SMS.
Potential customers who had purchased Groupons for the restaurant were also out of luck. However, the group daily deal company said they would issue refunds.
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