From the Ashes, a Lesson in Employee Loyalty
posted by Bruce Dodge on January 4, 2012 in NewsImagine, 4 days before Christmas, and your place of employment and source of income, burns down. Not a pleasant thought. Now, imagine you are the HR guy visiting the scene of the fire the next day, pay day to boot. While you wouldn’t think that there would be many positive emotions coming out of that, wait a minute. Here are some of the great things I saw.
The GM, Barry, the only GM that particular location has ever had in the 16 years it has been open, was working when the fire started. He stayed at the store all night, and after the fire was extiguished, went back in with the Fire Dept. to aid in the investigation of the event. In doing so, Barry found the paychecks that were to be picked up the following day, in the remains of the office. The checks had not been destroyed, but were soaking wet. Knowing that this would be the last payday before Christmas, Barry took the checks home and laid them out individually to dry so that they would still be cashable and the employees wouldn’t have to wait for new checks to be issued and delivered.
An employee showed up to pick up her check and was moved to tears by the sight of the burned building. This wasn’t just a place for her to work, this was a place where she had built friendships, relationships with guests, and spent more time than her home. She was had a connection to the building deeper than an employee to an employer. Sometimes we take for granted this deep since of connections that our staff has and see just employees. The fact is that the vast majority of the people that come into our restaurants to work are as much a part of our company as the guys that own the place, and take their roles in our organization to heart. They are driven to want the company to succeed and quickly grow to feel a deep connection to thier peers, managers, and guests, and want to be a part of Apple Sauce, Inc. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of that, and this employees tears were a very visible reminder of that.
The company also stepped up and identified that while the paychecks were important, they are only a small portion of the wages that our tipped staff earn, and those staff members were going to be missing some crucial tips in the 4 days before Christmas. Our payroll and Ops teams went to work to figure out how much cash each person would be missing out on over those days and made arrangements to pay them that in cash within 36 hours after the fire.
So, while the fire was a devastating event, there were and continue to be some great lessons to learn both about the loyalty that our employees have to the company, and the commitment that the company has to ensuring we do all that we can to support our staff as we move through the rebuilding process.
You think you problems are big then you hear of something like this and you feel dumb for complaining. Hope that everyone effected gets blessed by God in the coming days and months.
Very moving. A great example of true compassion and caring about employees. Great job !
Ya know. I spent 6 1/2 years working for this company on and mostly on and at times found myself caught up in the business things I didn’t agree with and allowed it at times to affect my happiness on the job. In my last 4 weeks in December 2011 at Coventry, I began to remember all the reasons I loved that place, its staff, its guests, all the connections and relationships made and people I’d come to love and who loved me…all the times my boss (as mad as she made me sometimes) was ALWAYS there for me at crucial, bad times in my life, and watching her do extra things for employees who need a helping hand, and that even included some she didn’t particularly get along with personally…the 110% heart and soul put into fundraisers…I remember and know this is one of the greatest companies there is out there to work for and I am loving my life as a stay at home mom, but I miss my Applebee’s life too.
Bruce, I was touched by this story, it is nice an employer care about the workers. I have met you several times at the Portage Applebees. An event such as this also touches a guest such as me. Applebees is not only a place to eat and drink, it is a place where we have made many friends. Neil
Once again this shows how Applebee’s has set them self apart from normal corporate America. Between your Veterans Day program and your compassionate response to these employees, you have found yourself a customer for life.
PS My neighbor is one of your employees and two days prior to the fire we ate in your restaruant. She shared with us how expensive college for her daughter was and the hope of being able work hard over the holiday. Your support after this tragedy makes a difference in this young girl’s ability to finish her education and I am sure many more far reaching effects. THANK YOU!
Apple Sauce is a great company ! I have worked at the Applebees in Warsaw for almost 11 years and would never dream of leaving for another restaurant. It is truly a home away from home ! Love Applebees and of course Bruce Dodge <3
Though I only work limited hours at Applebees, I have been with the Valpo store since the day it opened. I have been there for both fires. In each case I was surprised by the generousity of the company and greatly appreciate all that you have done for us. Thanks Applebuddies!!!
What a touching article about a great group of people especially Barry! Wishing everyone the best luck in this situation with tons of hope you reopen soon! My cousin is a part of this group and I feel for all the families that this effects! Thank you Applebee’s for doing what you have done to help this FABULOUS group of workers and families! Open soon and keep these great employees that make coming there so special! They are the best!
A very noble thing to do for your employees when a disaster like that hits home. I wouldn’t expect any less from a great corporation that honors our Veterans. Kudos to Applebees for having the heart they do.
Nicely said, Bruce! Thanks for sharing this… When you’re part of the company, but you’re not able to see first hand the affects of the devestation, it’s nice to be able to read the thoughts of those who have been there.