I worked as a mid-level supervisor at the Eastland Park Hotel very briefly back in 2006. If I knew then what I know now I would have made this post a lot sooner and perhaps even called a lawyer (which is exactly what I should have done, you'll find out why shortly...)
The hotel industry is not an easy one to work in, there is always something that needs immediate attention or someone who needs help with a problem. Let me start by saying that the 'historic' building in which this hotel is operated is so run down it's practically dissolving from the inside out. I've never seen mold grow over rust until I worked here. Rats, roaches, ants, you name it they've got it. Whenever the chain-smoking throwbacks in Engineering DO get around to fixing something they see no problem with leaving a huge mess, tools included, in the rooms as if it were their own garage. This place is so disgusting I'd rather spend a night in Silent Hill than stay here.
One day after a casual smoke-break conversation someone asked me if I believed in Jesus. I answered as politely as I could to such a sensitive question, "Not that it's any of your business, but no.in fact, I'm Wiccan." A few days later I started noticing Jesus Loves You pamphlets had been stuffed into my locker, which I discreetly tore up and put in the trash: Despite this incident I have no animosity toward Christians, but freedom of religion also means freedom FROM religion.
After about a week of this I candidly approached my supervisor, 'Joyce.' I told her that if I wanted a sermon I'd go to a church, that whoever is doing this I'd kindly appreciate it if they would stop because while 'preaching the good news' is a core tenement of Christianity this is totally improper for the workplace.
The next day she fired me.
I was never late, I never left early, I always did exactly as I was told when I was told to do it and if offered I always did other tasks. Up until that religion-conversation I was constantly praised and told how glad they were to have me aboard, and then they apparently fired me for not believing in Jesus. I was told something to the effect of "People like you don't do well here, anyway."
At the time I didn't thing suing would have been worth it: The pay wasn't all that great, the work environment was lousy and hostile (and in another managers' case downright abusive) and who wants to work in a building that could one day fall down on top of you?
It only recently came to my attention that some 3 months later two other fellow Wiccans, one of which was a friend of mine, were fired after similar events.
All through my time there I don't recall meeting any Jews, Homosexuals or Black People (aside from the Sudanese and Somalian housekeepers) That alone should have been a red flag.
0 comments