17 year old son being bullied by boss

Youdontseeme

I know only to well how many chefs want to be Gorden Ramsey when they grow up, I still have the scar on my leg where a chef I worked with (note: not for) flung a knife across the kitchen in a rage when he got the wrong mushrooms and it landed in my thigh!

While chefs are know for their "hot" tempers, it is assault. But, it is a tricky one, if he reports it he loses his job, if he reports it, he loses his job and is unlikely to find another anywhere close to by (Chefs are a bit like Dr's unwilling to go against each other).

Personally and I know it is hard, tell your boy to man up a bit (I wouldnt normally say this - honest!!) but a lot of chefs are bullies, the power goes to their head, and the heat makes them VERY grumpy!

As per the normal bully, chefs tend to back down when challenged, or shown up in front of their brigade, they hate to be made an !!!! of. Your son needs to stand up and say "Touch me again and............<fill in prefered threat>" 8/10 times chef will back down other two he was on the way to being booted out anyway.

Wish him luck from me!

custardy

GothicStirling wrote: »

Are you certain that it's bullying? Having managed a restaurant I know what goes on in a kitchen, and you need a set of steel balls [that goes for women too.]

agreed
its a fine line between the way kitchens are and going too far

custardy

Youdontseeme wrote: »

I know only to well how many chefs want to be Gorden Ramsey when they grow up, I still have the scar on my leg where a chef I worked with (note: not for) flung a knife across the kitchen in a rage when he got the wrong mushrooms and it landed in my thigh!

While chefs are know for their "hot" tempers, it is assault. But, it is a tricky one, if he reports it he loses his job, if he reports it, he loses his job and is unlikely to find another anywhere close to by (Chefs are a bit like Dr's unwilling to go against each other).

Personally and I know it is hard, tell your boy to man up a bit (I wouldnt normally say this - honest!!) but a lot of chefs are bullies, the power goes to their head, and the heat makes them VERY grumpy!

As per the normal bully, chefs tend to back down when challenged, or shown up in front of their brigade, they hate to be made an !!!! of. Your son needs to stand up and say "Touch me again and............<fill in prefered threat>" 8/10 times chef will back down other two he was on the way to being booted out anyway.

Wish him luck from me!

I wouldnt go by that part of your post
a risky assumption to make
I have worked with many a chef you simply wouldnt want to be on the wrong side of

hcb42

I disagree with the fact that if he reports it he will not get a job nearby. He will. Chefs do not rule the local economy any more than anyone else does.

And we did spend yesterday recruiting for a head chef..

If the OP is right and this chef is hitting his staff, then that is assault. Sometimes you just have to walk out, if you cannot tolerate the beahviour and there is nowhere else to go. There are no excuses for poor behaviour from chefs in the workplace, they are not above the law.

I had a chef once who had a major fight with the F&B manager (not a physical one, just a big argument, where plates were smashed). chef was told in no uncertain terms he was not Gordon Ramsay and he needed to adjust his attitude.

scheming_gypsy

hcb42 wrote: »

I disagree with the fact that if he reports it he will not get a job nearby. He will. Chefs do not rule the local economy any more than anyone else does.
.

they don't rule the local economy but if your only reference is somebody you reported for assault instead of asking them to stop.... then the only way you'll get a glowing reference is when they stick it in the fire.

custardy

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

they don't rule the local economy but if your only reference is somebody you reported for assault instead of asking them to stop.... then the only way you'll get a glowing reference is when they stick it in the fire.

its a very small community in the chef world
many jobs are gained through reputation and word of mouth
not all but it doesnt do any harm to have a network
after a few years in the trade I attended very few interviews
jobs were found and gained by word of mouth/recommendation

3v3

Gordon Ramsey is not the first chef to display a volatile personality! Why people use him as a yardstick of chef behaviour is beyond me! GR is famed for his foul language, not his physical treatment of staff.

3v3

custardy wrote: »

its a very small community in the chef world
many jobs are gained through reputation and word of mouth
not all but it doesnt do any harm to have a network
after a few years in the trade I attended very few interviews
jobs were found and gained by word of mouth/recommendation

Which is the point scheming G was making, I think.

But the "Chef world" scenario could apply to many professions and isn't an isolated case. A lecturer once told us that he keeps an address book - not for his contacts - but for the people he's refused a job to. He passes this amongst his network Because he is respected amongst his field, people take notice of his opinions!

Reputation/word of mouth/networking are very important in todays cut-throat world of jobs/economy. Not to be underestimated!

custardy

3v3 wrote: »

Gordon Ramsey is not the first chef to display a volatile personality! Why people use him as a yardstick of chef behaviour is beyond me! GR is famed for his foul language, not his physical treatment of staff.

Marco Pierre was seemingly a whole different animal in his day
I heard many tales of the punishments handed out for falling foul of his wrath

jim22

Chef out of order. Mother, book a table, call the offender out and in front of the customers slap him across the face, shouting what his offences are.