Is this a sackable offence?

[JCFJW]

Not me, asking on behalf of a teenage relative who is in a state after being told she may get suspended/sacked and she’s worried about it affecting her plans of working in hospitality abroad.

Potwash in a busy family restaurant. The training on chemical handling is a 5 minute online course. She has been there 5 months. Today she went to get detergent from the chemical cupboard. Key is kept in potwash area, chemical cupboard is downstairs next to the toilets so not locked in a staff only area. She forgot to lock the door after being in there and returned the key to its usual spot. It wasn’t noticed the whole night. Supervisor noticed it during closing and was fuming, and is going to arrange a disciplinary meeting. She told my relative “You could have killed a child if they had gone in and drank the chemicals.” The chemicals all have tight seals on.

This supervisor has bullied my relative and other potwash staff before before, making up problems. My relative was in the wrong but because of the supervisor’s previous behaviour I’m not sure how rational her reaction was and whether relative should expect punishment. Thoughts?

I’m afraid I agree with @saltinesandcoffeecupsand @ShinyHappyPoster. Perhaps all moot now - but DN likely to come across people worse than the vile, vile, vile awful bully you describe

Is this vile bully a Wetherspoons manager in the North East?

I worked in Spoons about 10 years ago and had to endure the worst person I have ever met there. All the staff despised her. Customers hated her - to the point where some would refuse to come in if she was on shift. Even the secret shoppers had a problem with her - they'd single her out and give a low score purely because of her.

She was actually barred from the pub for a myriad of reasons and would make inappropriate sexual comments about members of staff. She was truly, truly awful.

Thankfully we got rid of her when we got a new pub manager who downright refused to work her.

I work in hospitality, and whether or not she gets sacked (sounds like it May be for the Best anyway?), she wont have a single problem finding work elsewhere. In fact, im wondering why she is working as a pot wash, unless she really wants to be? Theres a huge huge chef shortage and its a great time for her to apply for a job as a commis chef or front of house, whatever she fancies. There are also a lot of opportunities abroad. Ive barely ever been asked to provide references, qualifications or anything like this. More likely is that she can take a trial shift (paid or unpaid), prove herself and get a new job. Please tell her not to worry. She will be absoloutely fine