DJ's Patron Disappointed By Firing Of Employee

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We have been patrons of DJ’s Pizza and Steakhouse for many years. We eat supper there at least every other week. My husband eats lunch there about three times a week. The food is great and the service is good. While all the waitresses are good, one stands out among them. Her name is Lisa. She has been working there for thirteen (13) years.

Lisa recently contracted a serious condition that has caused her much sickness and suffering. I have been there and saw her working when she was very sick. She was not her usual bubbly self with smiles and little jokes she normally had. She has had to miss some work because of this disease. The weekend before July 4th, she was fired because of her absences, due to her sickness. I am outraged at this decision!

Come on DJ’s. She has been there for thirteen years. She is, obviously, a good employee. You are not running a big corporation. You are running a little restaurant in a little town where everyone knows everyone. Have a little consideration and compassion for someone who is been with you for all these years.

We have made the decision not to patronize DJ’s Restaurant. While we will miss the food, we feel we do not want to give our money to someone who does not care any more about their employees than you do. There are plenty of other good restaurants in town.

Jackie Martin

Woodbury, TN

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July 28, 2011 at 7:05pm
i visit woodbury often because my daughter lives there...and i prefer to eat at dj's....i asked where (lisa) was not long ago and was told she went on evening hours...she is the BEST server i have met in a long while ...a Long while!! so sad that she is not appreciated....i guess i will rethink going to DJ's.... very sad.....
July 29, 2011 at 7:54am
I loved her too. I will not be back either.
July 29, 2011 at 8:49am
She was great, bubbly, and very kind to the customers and if she was dealing with stress, sickness, she never showed it to the customers. This is another family of 8 that WILL not be back unless she comes back at least part time. She made their business. I have passed the word to the rest of our family of this conduct with a business in Woodbury. I don’t think Danny and Joan would have done this if they were still there!
July 29, 2011 at 9:45am
We eat at DJ's at least once a week. I refer alot of people (friends and business)to DJ's. That won't be happening anymore.Everyone that eats at DJ's recognizes Lisa as part of that business. I have to say, I think whomever made the decision to let her go - just made a huge mistake. I'm sure it won't take long before you realize it. I agree with Mildredfisher1997-I don't think Danny and Joan would have done this. I've seen alot of changes since Danny&Joan, and this is just another one that isn't going to help the business.
July 29, 2011 at 10:07am
Lisa should consider a lawsuit against DJ's for wrongful termination. Once you hit a business where it hurts (in their pocketbook) they sometimes will rethink their future decisions. Shame on you DJ's for your poor display of genuine care and concern for your longterm employee. The last thing you need the small town of Woodbury to do is BOYCOT your restaurant. If that happens, Lisa may not be the only employee without a job in the end.
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July 29, 2011 at 12:04pm
Me and Lisa started about the same time at DJ's. It was my first job. I know from back then she was indeed a good employee. I stop in maybe 2 or 3 times a year and am glad to see people I know since I left Woodbury many years ago. I am sad to find out she is not well. However, whatever reason they let her go is their perogative. If Nick or Jimmy felt that was best for them, then so be it. All this talk about how Danny and Joan ran the place, what, over 20 years ago, show just how much they have ran this business in the ground right? 20 years people. lol Come on. I think they know what they are doing. lol About the wrongful termination - unless she had a contract, which she most likely didn't, she is out of luck. And because it's a small business, FMLA doesn't apply here. This is a right to hire, right to fire state. You may have heard this refered to as a "right to work" state. So in not so short, what I am trying to say is I hate to see her leave. Having said that I WILL BE BACK at DJ's.
July 29, 2011 at 1:19pm
For notincannon - because this is a small business is all the more reason Jimmy should have worked with Lisa. He knew what she was going through. He could have hired someone temporarily/parttime to help out, for no more cost to them. There are a lot of ways this could have been handled, without firing her.
July 29, 2011 at 3:01pm
Don't you know most people are only out for more and more money!! What, let go an employee who was missing days?? Shame on whoever is the employers! Guess her days out cost them a little, or maybe they had to do more! I eat there only about 2 times a year. Never was really impressed with the place. But, in these days and times there are very few who actually care about any employee in any business. It's just a business to most, not anything more. Another dollar another day! I do not know the lady fired, nor the owners. But from my point of view, a person who has been there for that long and apparently liked by most everyone, should not be terminated when something like that occurs. To me it only shows the character of the owners. Think I might just skip those 2 times a year.
July 29, 2011 at 3:35pm
Lisa will be so missed and it is so sad it is always "About the Money" that they could have made during the time she was out. I am sure they did not pay her sick time or do they pay her vacation time. They could not even get unemployement the time it was closed for remolding. Yes I would see a lawyer and at least get my unemployment. It may have been their rigth to fire her but is Morally Rigth." All I can say is my will family will know longer eat there several times a week and also where I work will no longer bring people there to eat. Lisa we will keep you in our prayers and hope you are back on your feet soon. SHAME ON YOU DJ'S. Look out Scorebroad you are going to be busy.
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July 29, 2011 at 4:26pm
I am not sure if Lisa knows this or if DJ's is aware of this, but if Lisa has been sick she is entitled up to 12 weeks of leave time and is protected from being fired by the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 signed by President Bill CLinton.

She can file a lawsuit and receive back pay and be re-instated if DJ's is found to have violated this act.

Look it up online if you have any questions. I deal with this every day and I know I am 100% correct.
July 29, 2011 at 4:56pm
SallyK - I believe the employee has to work at a place that has at least 50 employees, to be eligible for FMLA. I don't believe DJ's has that many.
July 29, 2011 at 6:39pm
They also tried to do the same thing to another of there workers..but she was smart enough to quit before they pulled the same on her...it's not like they make a load of money..the tips are where they get their money that is for the hard work they do..it's a shame she was sick like she was and worked when she wasen't able...but i really think they done her a favor..she's to good to work for them,i won't be back,and when others hear this there will be more..if they can live with it,i'm sure she'll live without it,i'd hate for this to be my burden to pay for!
July 29, 2011 at 8:54pm
There is usually more than one side of a story.
July 29, 2011 at 11:05pm
Me and my family will not be back there. Over the years we have heard story after story of their unfair treatment to some of their employees. This is the last straw. Lisa, I hope you get better soon and I know you will find a better job. Good waitresses are hard to come by and you are one of the best. DJ's will be regretting losing you.
July 30, 2011 at 12:30am
I will be putting the word out about how Lisa was treated. We will not be eating there until Lisa comes back. We will be watching to see if her car is parked out front.
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July 30, 2011 at 9:12am
Ga leee..... How do you people know Lisa was treated bad? There maybe more to this than you know. And if it is such a "bad" place to work and they are treated unfairly, remember this - noone is made to work there. If the employees at DJ's have it so bad then they can just quit. If they don't feel they are being payed right, quit. Work somewhere else. You people seem to have no idea how hard it is to run a business and yes, it is all about the money. It is with most people. If it isn't all about the money for you, tell your employer they don't have to pay you for a day of work. What? Don't want to do it? Are you only working for the money?
July 30, 2011 at 12:06pm
If you want good employees that care about what they do, you have to care about them. This situation is NOT about the money. It is about how someone was treated. I have been in business for a long time. I know from experience, if you treat your folks fairly, they will go that extra mile. I sure hope I never have to work or even deal with someone who does not treat others fairly. And, yes, I know for a fact about this situation. Lisa was a good employee. She was the reason a lot of people kept coming back three, four times a week. This, I know for a fact,as well. I was one of them.
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July 30, 2011 at 4:50pm
Sorry, I am not familiar with DJ's total number of employees ladyreader.

You are correct, 50 is the minimum for FMLA laws to be established and binding.

I am not sure of the entire story, but it does seem a little odd that someone works for an establishment for such a long time and gets sick and the employer cans them the first chance they get.

DJ's doesn't sound like a place I want to frequent very often.
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July 30, 2011 at 8:31pm
I went to school with Lisa then worked with her later at the shirt factories. She has always been a very sweet and outstanding person. For DJ's to do her like this, after all her years of service to them, is a out and out shame!! My boyfriend and I recently started eating there, but we WILL NOT be back!! I WILL NOT frequent a place that treats people like that! I am extremely sorry that you are sick Lisa. You DO NOT deserve to be treated so poorly!!
July 30, 2011 at 10:37pm
notincannon needs to keep her comments to herself as she does not live in cannon. Therefore does not have a say about it. Plus I would hate to be your employee! I do not know how some people can laid down at nite after they way they treat people. If there was more jobs people would not have to work for people that are rude, unfair and treat others like dirt. Bottom line Lisa was treated unfairly. After all the years she had worked for them. They should have helped her instead of hurt her. Where I work we take care of our own, if they are sick we help out. Food, money , visits and prayer what ever it takes till they are back on their feet. That goes for the the patients we care for and their families.
July 31, 2011 at 9:27pm
I have been friends w/ Lisa 4 going on 20 yrs, plus have been a customer of DJs that long too. Before Lisa got sick she worked 6 days a wk; the only day she took off was Mondays when they were closed anyway. Lisa has always been one of the hardest working women I have ever met. Lisa has a relationship w/ each & every customer she waits on; a relationship that the customers have grown accustomed to. She has a true heart & it shows when she waits on you. I think it is truly a disgrace that she has put 13 hard years, 6 days a wk into that place & when she needs a little compassion, none is shown 2 her....my family will no longer be eating at your establishment; w/out Lisa there, it just wouldnt be the same....we love you Lisa!!
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