I’ve been working with a hospitality company since August 2021. At the time I started, they were hiring staff for their new restaurant. Because it was a new branch, we started everything from scratch. I am talking about cleaning every inch of the place, setting up, and handling all the general tasks. It was a tedious job but I gave it my very best because I knew that was where I got my livelihood.

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My problem with them started when it was time for me to get married. I informed all the staff, including my boss, during a general meeting and gave out invitations a month before the wedding. To my surprise, one person from the office showed up at the wedding. Even that, it was a lady who was part of the bridal team.

We had a welfare fund. Every month, they deducted money from our salaries. The plan was to use this money as gifts when members of the staff get married, have a baby, or lose a parent or a spouse. So I at least expected some money from them even though they didn’t make it to the wedding. That didn’t happen. I didn’t even get one pesewa from them.

I was disappointed but I didn’t complain when I returned to work a week after my wedding.

Two years ago, I had to go on maternity leave at seven months pregnant. My doctor advised that I take a break because the nature of my work wasn’t good for me or the baby at that stage. I spoke to the HR and my manager, and they told me I would only be paid my maternity salary after delivery. The manager informed the boss about this agreement so I was assured they would honour it.

After I gave birth, I contacted HR. She told me, “It’s out of my hands now. I quit the job so I can’t do anything for you. The manager too has travelled. If you want your money you have to call the boss directly.”

I reached out to him several times, asking about my resumption date and my unpaid salary. Each time, he simply said he’d get back to me. He never did, and now two years have passed.

I worked so hard for that company. Even on my off days, I showed up when they called. Sometimes I even slept over to prepare for next-day reservations. I worked overtime without pay, served multiple parties and walk-in customers at the same time, and still answered calls for delivery. I had to work this much because they were always short-staffed. Yet look how they treated me? As if my presence in the company didn’t make any difference to them.

I worked for these people as if it was my company. When my colleagues flouted company rules, I didn’t join them. Some of them stole supplies from the restaurant and sold them for their own gain. They tried to involve me but I refused to be part of it. In fact, I once threatened to report the bartender because he sold a bottle of whiskey and wine that had been reserved under my name. He tried to give me part of the money but I rejected it. He got angry but I didn’t care.

I was openly disliked by most of the staff because I refused to support their thievery. They even used to call me “Boss Ba.” To wit, “Boss’s child.”

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After all these years of dedication and hard work, I truly believe I deserved better than how the management didn’t show up for my wedding, didn’t give me any contribution from the welfare, and then withheld my maternity leave salary. But such is life. People won’t necessarily treat you well just because you treated them well first.

Anyway, after two years of silence, I received a call recently from someone who introduced themselves as the new HR for that same restaurant. He said the boss asked him to reach out to me so I could resume work next month. From what I’ve heard, the restaurant isn’t doing well. One of the branches has closed down, staff are leaving due to unpaid salaries, and some have been sacked for stealing.

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I’m still at home, not because I haven’t had job offers, but most of the opportunities I get come with shifts and locations that don’t work well for my family’s interests. Meanwhile, this restaurant is offering smoother shifts and two days off, which would allow me to spend time with my family.

I know they were awful to me in the past but I am wondering if things will be different if I go back. If they are calling me to come back, then it means they see my value now, right? I have been doing a lot of thinking, wondering if I should go back or keep looking for another job with a more flexible schedule. What do you think I should do?

—Adobea

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