Bartender here. So my boss seems to think punctuality is a requirement of everyone but herself. Whenever we have interviews lined up she tells me to make note of anyone who shows up late. (I don’t because I literally don’t care) Usually she is in the back office or hasn’t even arrived yet and she just calls to tell me what times the interviews are for. I’ve noticed however, that more often than not SHE is the one who is late. The hypocrisy just really gets to me. The last straw for me was when one guy waited almost 40 mins for her to finally show up, make herself coffee, talk to the chef about something that absolutely could have waited, chatted for 10 mins with a customer/acquaintance, before FINALLY sitting down to conduct the interview. He did not accept the job when she contacted him to start training. shocking

So I decided to turn the tables. Because so many restaurants are hiring right now, it isn’t uncommon for applicants to no-show for interviews just because they already accepted a job elsewhere. So, every time she has run late for a scheduled interview and it coincides with a no-show, I lie. I tell her they were here, on time, but then left when she didn’t show at the scheduled time. (I know she doesn’t have the backbone to actually follow up with any of them, so I’m not worried about getting caught). Her attitude has gone from “well they must not want a job that badly then, we don’t need them” (lmao, we really do) to “why are they leaving so quickly, I was just running a few minutes behind” Eyeroll.

I got ballsier though. I had one woman waiting for about 10 mins before I told her “look, boss is on her way but I don’t blame you if you want to leave, why respect her time if she doesn’t respect yours”. She laughed and was like “Okay, why don’t I head to my car, if she gets here before I’ve left the area she can call me and maybe I’ll come back”. This would have been the sixth time an interview “left”. So when my boss arrived 5 mins later I told her she could still call and try to catch her. I got to listen to my boss grovel on the phone about how sorry she was and she would still love to do the interview if the potential hire could make it back etc. The woman came back but definitely had a not-to-be-fucked with look on her face and again my boss had to kiss ass and tried to laugh it off all “omg you know how monday morning traffic can be hehehe” And without blinking this chick goes “Yeah, totally, that’s why I left extra early today, so I could be here on time” My boss gave a sheepish chuckle and said something like “Great so we know you’re responsible” I had to duck behind the bar so she wouldn’t see me shaking with silent laughter.

Anyway, since then my boss has now started arriving early and/or not dicking around in the back when they arrive, making them wait for no reason. It has been hilarious watching her rush out all welcoming and “Can I get you a water, coffee? Make yourself comfortable and I’ll be right there!” She’s actually managed to hire some of the best candidates we had apply. Now I’m brainstorming other ways to train my boss.

ETA: Holy crap y’all, I did not expect this much response. I just had what at the time felt like a kind of dumb, potentially fruitless, idea to teach my boss a lesson, and it seems to have worked. I guess even the smallest of changes can have meaningful outcomes. Thanks for the awards, hang in there friends. We can all bring on change together.

ETA2: 1) For those wondering- the woman who returned for the interview did get an offer, she has not responded. I don’t blame her.

2) I’m not concerned about no-shows following up. In this industry, it is very much a “don’t call us, we’ll call you” sort of mentality. And I’ve only seen someone try to reschedule an interview after no showing once. They did not succeed. I’m pretty sure everyone assumes if they don’t show, that’s it.

3) For all those asking about cameras. They haven’t been functional for the better part of a year. Literally no footage to check. Obviously once they are fixed that will be an issue if I try this ruse again

4) As far as reporting her to superiors- there are none. She and a friend are equal partners in owning the business. The other owner has no active role in the business, I’ve never even met them. My boss is the only boss, aside from any underlings she sometimes convinces to pretend they’re in charge.

5) While I appreciate all of you suggesting I should be the boss- I 100% do not want it. I’m just peachy where I’m at.

6) There have been a few accusations of this being fake, I suppose thats fair because internet. Dunno what to tell y’all other than if I were going to lie for … what, exactly? reddit cred?… It wouldn’t be about the most mundane shit ever. I had zero expectations of this gaining any kind of attention, I just figured some of y’all would appreciate what I did. But I guess why would you trust an admitted liar lol. Whatever, y’all do your thing.