u/iwasborninwonderland

I think I finally understand what people mean when they say “toxic workplace”… but I didn’t expect it to get this bad. I moved in Finland to avoid working in toxic environment like back home (in Italy) and I end up working in an italian restaurant where they imported the toxic behaviour.

I’ve been working in a restaurant where the manager drinks during shifts, shouts at staff, and creates a really uncomfortable environment for both employees and customers.

He also regularly abuses his position of power. There have been repeated instances of #harassment, including #inappropriate comments, as well as #sexist, #misogynistic, and #racist remarks. He often speaks to staff in a demeaning way, especially towards women, and uses his role to intimidate people.

There have also been #threats related to work shifts (like reducing hours as punishment), and a general atmosphere where employees feel they can’t speak up without consequences.

Recently, a customer left a review describing almost exactly what we’ve been experiencing for months — loud behavior, drinking on the job, rude and creepy comments, and constant tension in the restaurant. Instead of addressing the issue, management started questioning staff and trying to figure out “who is responsible”.

I eventually spoke up (carefully and professionally) when the owner asked why I was leaving. I explained that the review reflects reality and that many of us have tried to address these issues internally without success.

We even had a meeting… but the manager was present, so no one felt safe enough to speak openly.

The day after that meeting, my shifts were basically removed.

Now I’m being ignored, and it feels like I’m being quietly pushed out for saying something.

There have also been situations where employees were accused of lying about being sick, mocked for physical illness, and even discussions about firing people based on assumptions.

I’ve already told them that I found another job, but the owner begged me to stay and give them another chance but after that instead of being protected, it feels like I’ve been made the scapegoat. And now I must find another job because they removed my shift and can't really stay as they begged me to.

Has anyone dealt with something similar? Especially the “silent retaliation” after speaking up?

I’d really appreciate hearing how others handled it.
I'm also wondering if it's the case to start bombing them with more similar reviews so they start taking it seriously and take it as reality instead of accusing me to have written myself that review to put them in trouble.

I think I finally understand what people mean when they say “toxic workplace”… but I didn’t expect it to get this bad. I moved in Finland to avoid working in toxic environment like back home (in Italy) and I end up working in an italian restaurant where they imported the toxic behaviour.

I’ve been working in a restaurant where the manager drinks during shifts, shouts at staff, and creates a really uncomfortable environment for both employees and customers.

He also regularly abuses his position of power. There have been repeated instances of harassment, including inappropriate comments, as well as sexist, misogynistic, and sometimes racist remarks. He often speaks to staff in a demeaning way, especially towards women, and uses his role to intimidate people.

There have also been threats related to work shifts (like reducing hours as punishment), and a general atmosphere where employees feel they can’t speak up without consequences.

Recently, a customer left a review describing almost exactly what we’ve been experiencing for months — loud behavior, drinking on the job, rude and creepy comments, and constant tension in the restaurant. Instead of addressing the issue, management started questioning staff and trying to figure out “who is responsible”.

I eventually spoke up (carefully and professionally) when the owner asked why I was leaving. I explained that the review reflects reality and that many of us have tried to address these issues internally without success.

We even had a meeting… but the manager was present, so no one felt safe enough to speak openly.

The day after that meeting, my shifts were basically removed.

Now I’m being ignored, and it feels like I’m being quietly pushed out for saying something.

There have also been situations where employees were accused of lying about being sick, mocked for physical illness, and even discussions about firing people based on assumptions.

I’ve already told them that I found another job, but the owner begged me to stay and give them another chance but after that instead of being protected, it feels like I’ve been made the scapegoat. And now I must find another job because they removed my shift and can't really stay as they begged me to.

Has anyone dealt with something similar? Especially the “silent retaliation” after speaking up?

I’d really appreciate hearing how others handled it.
I'm also wondering if it's the case to start bombing them with more similar reviews so they start taking it seriously and take it as reality instead of accusing me to have written myself that review to put them in trouble.