For the past five years we have also employed a good number of foreign students - many of whom were also employed at the Naswa. They worked part time for us, and full-time for the Naswa, where they also resided. Over they years we've employed students from: Bulgaria, Russia, Romania, Turkmenistan, Poland, South Africa and The former Czech Republic. All of these employees have worked hard for us, several have returned for second or third summers, and all have earned a very special place in our hearts.
In late April of this year, four students arriving for work at the Naswa came to us well after closing one night. They'd just arrived in town and were really hungry! We fixed them some cold subs, and enjoyed chatting with them for about an hour. After they left we all remarked on what nice young folks they were! A few days later, they came in looking for second jobs. Having great experience with this relationship of working with the Naswa and their schedules, we readily agreed to hire all four students. Here's what happened ...
One never showed up for work.
One worked for two weeks and told us he had too much work and couldn't continue with us.
One lasted about a month before he started failing to show up for scheduled shifts - and as for a courtesy phone call? Forget it! We simply figured that by the time an hour into the shift had passed, he wasn't coming. After four such incidents I advised him that we no longer required his services.
Finally, about three weeks ago the last one simply vanished! Apparently she simply packed her bags and moved out of her housing without so much as a by-your-leave to anyone. Rumor has it she moved to some other state to look for work. No one knows for sure.
So, I started this season with four Jamaican students on my payroll. None of them are still employed with us. Does that make me a racist? Absolutely not. Could someone fabricate stories about why I no longer have any "persons of color" working in my restaurant? You betcha! Would that make it true? Not a chance. But ya just never know what people are capable of sometimes!
Fortunately, this behavior is NOT the norm for visiting students! Most are truly hard-working, enthusiastic young people who enrich the workplace with their various cultures, and who serve to remind their American counterparts just how lucky they are to be American!
Sadly, there will sometimes be exceptions to the rule.
We are deeply saddened to learn that our neighbor is experiencing such an issue, and especially during the busiest time of the season. Their former employee's statements are absolute HOGWASH, and that's the truth! We hope no further issues arise for them, and that they are successful in quickly moving beyond this nonsense.