Old Market Pub & Brewery Andy & Shelly Bigley Discrimination, Disgusting Food Practices, Filthy Kitchen, Bad Management, Wrongful Termination Portland, Oregon
This business had been operating barely within the legal guidelines of the health department and OSHA for a number of years. The general manager told me that OMP has recently had a health department inspection that almost forced them to close their doors. They buy and keep products that are past their expiration date. I have been forced to serve food that I would have refused to eat, including cucumbers that have gone bad, ketchup with ants crawling around inside the bottles, and nacho cheese sauce that has been heavily food-colored. They color it because the cans of cheese they have are extremely old, so old that the liquid cheese has turned white. They actually call their nachos "Neon Nachos," because of the extreme orange of the food dye they use.
I was coerced into signing documents stating, among other things, that I would change dates on products after having opened them, showing that the product was "new," when it was not. These documents also required of the OMP employees that we agree to have our time adjusted at the owners discretion. If I (and all other employees) did
not sign, the owners refused to issue paychecks. I was not given copies of the documents for my records.
I stated during my initial interview that I had a health concern, namely hypoglycemia, and would need reasonable accommodation to perform my job to the best of my ability and keep myself healthy. The general manager assured me that I would not have a problem with it, that I would be given the opportunity to eat during my shifts. That never happened. The owners have stated that it is against the law for employees to bring their own food and/or beverages into the restaurant, and I am unable to stomach the food they serve due to OMPs lack of food quality and due to my unique dietary needs, as well as the fact that OMP does not provide an employee break room or any area in which employees can eat during their shift without neglecting their jobs. I was told I could take a half an hour break to eat, but I rarely worked over six hours, and so was rarely eligible for a break. The OMPs food is unpalatable, especially to
someone who has Sensory Integration Disorder and super sensitive taste buds. I felt uncomfortable doing it, but I snuck my own snacks in almost every time I worked. I was warned by the cooks when I started working there that I shouldn't
eat anything from OMP unless it was deep-fried or pizza, because those were the only items that were cooked enough to kill the bacteria and keep one from getting sick. One of the cooks even warned me not to eat the chili, as it
causes extreme diarrhea.
Recently, I fell on the job and injured myself, causing severe edema and bruising to my elbow and hip, after having come around the bar at a fast walk with my hands full, and having slipped in beer that a patron had spilled. There was no wet floor sign. I was wearing non-slip footwear, but I was unable to maintain my balance. My left foot slid underneath me and I hit the floor hard, my right hand sliding through the glasses that had broken during my fall. I got up quickly and with the help of a coworker, was able to maintain my composure throughout the remainder of my shift. I was in a lot of pain, and the GM did not offer me an incident report, she did not even ask me if I was okay, if I needed to take the rest of the evening off. She patently ignored the incident, other than to tell me she didnt believe me when I said I wasnt running when I fell. I did confirm with several customers who witnessed the incident that I was not doing anything unsafe, that my fall was the result of an accident. I worked the next morning, but was in so much pain that I had to call in sick for my evening shift.
I never had a verbal warning or any kind of disciplinary action while employed there. I was told repeatedly that my performance was improving, was given some constructive criticism, improved where I needed to improve. Recently, I informed my employers that I was pregnant, and that I would need to keep much better control over my blood sugar levels, to keep myself and my child healthy, and the GM reacted with quite an attitude. At the time, my blood sugar levels were dropping rapidly. I had eaten before my shift, but Im supposed to consume two to four grams of protein every two hours to maintain a stable blood glucose level. The GM demanded that the kitchen manager make me food, and when I tried to explain politely that I couldnt eat the food, that I had my own high protein snack, the kitchen manager rolled his eyes and mumbled about drama, and the GM rolled her eyes and walked away from me.
I took the opportunity to go outside and eat not only my granola bar, but some beef jerky as well. I returned to my duties, and despite the fact that I was having a hard night; my tips reflected that my guests were happy with the level of service they were receiving. As the evening went on, I continued to try to keep my emotions under control; I dont normally feel like crying for no reason, so Im assuming its the elevated hormone levels in my body that are making me feel so emotional.
After about 45 minutes without having a single new table, my section was clean and I was without a task. I was discussing something work-related with one of the cooks, standing where I could see any new guests coming in, and when the GM saw us talking, she flipped out on me. (Incidentally, I have seen numerous other employees standing around/texting, etc. without any consequences from the GM.) She told me I was cut (not taking new tables, do side work
and check out). I said Okay, thank you, which is what I always say when my boss gives me an instruction. I went on to try to explain to her that I was attempting to regain control over my emotions by talking to a co-worker about
non-emotional things, but she cut me off and yelled at me, Clock out, dont even do your side work, just GET OUT!
I ran my checkout, went to the back counter to finish the financials, and there I burst into tears. The other girls were very concerned. I explained to them that I was overwrought because of the hormonal changes Im experiencing, and I felt that my GM hated me, although Ive worked my tail off there, been a team player, and given 100% every time I worked. The GM avoided eye contact while signing my checkout. I clocked out and left.
When I showed up before my shift the next day to collect my paycheck, the Manager on Duty looked slightly confused to see me, then said I heard we were only running with two today, meaning that I had been taken off the schedule. I was not informed by the GM, who called me while I was driving away. I rejected the call because I was driving, and she
didnt leave a message.
I returned to OMP around 11AM, to collect tips from a previous shift. (Several of the servers had credit card transactions that didnt go through because of a computer glitch, and we were required to pay the guests entire tab, including the tip, out of our own tips, until management could get the paperwork straight.) When I walked in, the MOD took me to a table, sat me down, and told me I was being fired. I asked why and she said that she was told I wasnt hackin it.
She said she liked me and she was sorry to have to fire me, that they made her fire me, and that she didnt understand why they (the GM/owners) didnt fire me themselves. She also told me that she would text me when the $35.65 they owed me was available, that the deposit from that night was $100 short, and that the owner needed to go through the books before he would pay anyone out from that night. The owner was standing at the bar, drinking Bud, as usual, and refused to look at me, even when I made every attempt I could think of without being rude to get his attention.
He obviously knew what he was doing was wrong. I believe that they fired me because Im pregnant and they didnt want to deal with any pregnancy symptoms or maternity leave. They certainly never provided me with reasonable accommodations for my hypoglycemia, which is rather severe. I felt like I had to be sneaky and deceitful just to
keep my blood glucose stable, and I felt uncomfortable at work almost all the time. I felt that the GM played favorites, and I was uncomfortable with the idea of being one of her favorites after I watched her swat a co-worker on the
rear. The fact that the GM is sexually harassing people is unacceptable. I felt extremely uncomfortable around her most of the time, partly because she didnt like me, and partly because I was afraid of what she would do if she did like
me. Working there was like walking on eggshells. I was afraid to ask for an incident report after my fall because I was told by a co-worker that others had been fired for falling on the job. I wasnt sure whether to believe that, but I
do now!
Note:
The owners say that their beers are all organic, but I believe they would have a hard time proving it if they were asked to. They have gone as far as to state that all their beer is organic on their menu and website. I believe that if they are advertising organic beer, they need to be able to detail how it is organic, which they cannot do. The GM didnt even know what the seasonal beer was made with when I asked her last week. I had to wait till the brewer came in to ask him. In the meantime, my guest was left wondering.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
another andy and shelly victim
Portland,Oregon,
This is an unethically run company
#7General Comment
Mon, August 11, 2014
This business needs to be shut down. For several years the owners have skated by and almost been shut down by the health department. I have witessed the following:
Please take caution when patronizing this establisment. The food is low quality, the staff are running on low morale, and the owner should not be profiting from his unethical practices.
Thank you
Skyhar8000
Portland,Oregon,
Afghanistan
Uh...in a word...no.
#7Consumer Comment
Thu, October 27, 2011
My name is Stephen Bauer, and I have known the owners of this establishment for more than two decades. I was on-site the day the Old Market Pub opened, and I have been involved with various aspects of the place for the past 18 years (since before it even opened its doors for business). I live in the neighborhood and am a semi-regular patron.
The lengthy negative review submitted to Ripoff Report and set forth above is so COMPLETELY and TOTALLY inaccurate that I honestly don't know where to start. One of the owners has already posted his own rebuttal, and there is no reason for me to simply echo his comments. However, over the past two decades, I have seen the Bigleys continually monitor both the front-of-house(customer seating area) and back-of-house (food preparation, storage area, etc.) portions of the building in order to ensure safety, sanitation, and both employee and customer satisfaction.
The food business does not exist that can boast a perfect record, and like every restaurant, the Pub has changed with the times, whether to comply with new and more complex food service laws, or to please its customer base. The parking lot is frequently packed: today's weeknights look like the weekends of a decade ago, and today's weekends often see capacity crowds. The place is also exceptionally kid-friendly, while at the same time keeping minors out of adults-only areas.
Every business will also generate its share of ex-employees. Some of them will turn out to be unhappy former employees, and a few of those will go to great lengths to criticize and bad-mouth their former employers. I invite all users of this website not to disregard this thorough "bashing," but to read it, and to read between the lines as well. Then drop into the Pub and check it out. You will find that the reality of the situation is a far cry from the negative comments posted on this site.
waitress
United States of AmericaDon't bother reading the novel....
#7UPDATE Employee
Tue, October 25, 2011
I am a current employee of the Old Market Pub & Brewery. This is a rebuttal to the report written by an unstable, bitter, and jaded ex-employee we shall call 'M'. The length of her report alone speaks volumes. Please also keep in mind she worked for The Old Market Pub and Brewery for less than 6 months and is clinically insane. For those of you who know who I'm referencing, just read her facebook rants. Please also keep in mind she works at Shari's and considers it fine dining.
This person is attention-craving, long-winded and frankly, crazy. None of the above is true; and the only sexual harassment that took place was at the hand of this ex-employee. She constantly felt the need to slap my butt and tell me how hot I was and the things she wanted to do to me. She did similar things to other women in the workplace, (including one minor), leaving us all quite uncomfortable. She would also describe at great lengths the details of her encounters with her boyfriend, making us all even more uncomfortable. When she was not harassing coworkers, she was out in her car smoking pot, or complaining about how all she can eat is bacon, ranch salads and beer fries while guzzling Mt. Dew. This girl was an energy vampire who brings everyone around her down. Unfortunately, the only pleasure she ever experiences is in making people feel sorry for her. She is miserable about life in general and was constantly looking for ways to buck the system for attention.
I believe that part of the reason she was fired was because she often took unauthorized breaks to smoke, constantly ran in the restaurant even after being asked not to at least 15 times, and lacked professionalism.
I wish the former employee who filed this report well and I think the only way that may happen is if she seeks serious professional help.
The pub is and has always been great. Our beer is organic, our food is wonderful. We have great employees who are much happier to come to work now that we don't have to deal with the ticking time-bomb that wrote the report I am responding to.
Come see us for Bloody Mary Sundays, Margarita Mondays, Tightwad Tuesdays and our great Happy Hour Menu (2pm-6pm & 9pm-close, 7 days a week). We're always having a blast and are always happy to see you.
Honest Owner
Portland,Oregon,
United States of America
Im the owner, and most of this is news to me!
#7REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, October 04, 2011
A regular customer Emailed this complaint to me. I know nothing of this girl's pregnancy, hypoglycemia, or a fall?. She has been a poor server for some time, she had been warned to slow down and concentrate on several occasions. Otherwise, I had previously known her to be a pleasant person, I cannot even imagine this venom from her own hand. She was dismissed for consistent poor performance, culminating in abandoning her customers' tables on her last night without telling anyone, for over 20 minutes. Customers cannot be ignored in this business! She has been paid in full, including all tips. I can't comment on every single rant except to say they are baseless, we have a very successful business here. Our beer is brewed with 100% organic malt, I can show you the invoices. And, by the way, we DO use a liquid cheese product for our happy hour discount special called "Nacho Cheese Fries Or Tots (Gooey Liquid Cheese Goodness)". Yeah, it's bright orange: isn't all nacho cheese that color? I'll open a fresh can, color included, for anyone who comes in and asks! I hope this girl can get beyond what's truly bothering her.
LeadServer
Newberg,Oregon,
United States of America
Isn't it obvious?
#7Author of original report
Tue, October 04, 2011
I was upset because I was badly treated at my job. I think most people would be. It is not as easy to get a new waitressing job when one is pregnant, after all. I have my family's future to think about! I'm willing to put up with selling food that is subpar and older than dirt, but I was not about to eat it.
I was, prior to all this nonsense, in the process of looking for another job, which I will continue to do. I have already filed for unemployment, and have typed up my complaints to the Health Department, OSHA, Wage and Hour, BOLI, and the BBB. I also have an appointment to speak with an attorney later this week regarding wrongful termination and discrimination.
I will be submitting some of my complaints first thing in the morning. I will file the Wage and Hour complaint after 11 AM today if the owner still refuses to pay me the money he owes me. I will give him the full 72 hour window he is allowed by federal law before I accuse him of stealing my tips! I did call yesterday evening and request that the manager on duty relay the message that I want my tips by 11 AM, in accordance with W&H guidelines as to what to do prior to filing a complaint.
Of course I'm disgruntled. I didn't deserve to be treated that way. More importantly, I want to warn others about this place, so that they go forewarned and forearmed. Obviously, this site is one of the best and quickest ways to let other consumers know about these things!
Of course, I understand that there are people who don't agree with what I'm doing and how I'm handling this, but that's okay. We don't know each other, we're not friends, and I don't particularly care what anyone else thinks of myself or my methods. However, I appreciated the comment that prompted me to write this rebuttal, it was well thought out and only slightly inflammatory. I deeply value my right to free speech, and would not deny another person the same right!
The stress of being fired took it's toll on me. I lost my baby. I spent the better part of yesterday morning in Urgent Care. It was the doctor's opinion that I miscarried due to the high level of emotional distress I was experiencing after being fired.
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Can we say disgruntled...
#7Consumer Comment
Mon, October 03, 2011
Seriously with all of these problems why are you upset that you got fired? One would think that you would be glad you were fired so you can go look for another job at a better restaurant.
Oh by the way, did you report any of these "health concerns" to the Health Department or just decided to blast your ex-employer over the Internet?