When a Coworker Gets Fired for Racism: Sympathy, Consequences, and the Hotel Front Desk
In the world of hospitality, you see it all—late-night drama, wild guest requests, and sometimes, the kind of coworker stories that have you shaking your head in disbelief. But what happens when one of those coworkers crosses a line you just can’t uncross? That’s exactly what happened in a recent viral Reddit post from r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk, where a longtime hotel employee was fired for being racist to not one, but two guests in less than a week. The twist? Her coworker felt bad… but not that bad.
Let’s dive into the drama, the dilemma, and the lessons we can all learn from this cautionary tale from behind the front desk.
“You Can’t Be Racist and Work in the Hotel Industry”
Let’s set the scene: Our storyteller, Reddit user u/Necessary-Penalty300, works the PM shift at a hotel, while the soon-to-be-fired coworker (let’s call her “Linda”) handles mornings. Linda is in her 60s, has worked at the hotel for over three years, and—according to the post—has a history of questionable behavior, from stealing snacks to making up stories. But the real issue? Linda was caught being blatantly racist to not one, but TWO guests within a span of six days.
The consequences were swift (well, as swift as corporate hotel bureaucracy allows): after a guest sent a four-page letter to corporate, Linda was shown the door. Cue the waterworks—she called our poster in tears, lamenting her job loss and the uncertain road ahead. But sympathy was in short supply. As the OP put it, “You can’t be racist and work in the hotel industry. It just doesn’t go.”
When Sympathy Meets Accountability
It’s a scenario many of us have faced in some form: a coworker messes up—badly—and then turns to you for sympathy after facing the consequences. Do you offer a shoulder to cry on? Do you remind them that actions have consequences? Or do you just… shake your head and move on?
Our storyteller admits to feeling “somewhat bad” for Linda, acknowledging the challenges of job-hunting at 60+ with a recent firing, but also points out the obvious: “She did it to herself.” The hotel industry, perhaps more than any other, demands a baseline of respect for all kinds of people. Checking in guests from every walk of life is literally the job. If you can’t do that without prejudice, it’s not the gig for you.
“A Whole Bunch of Little Stuff That’s Added Up”
Anyone who’s worked in hospitality knows about the slow burn of “little things.” Linda wasn’t just fired for two racist incidents—she had a history: accusing a paying guest of being homeless (to the horror of his daughter), ignoring people to clock out faster, lying about small thefts, and generally being a thorn in everyone's side. The post notes that firing someone in a corporate hotel isn’t easy, and it took multiple violations (and a guest’s epic four-page letter) for the higher-ups to finally say, “Enough.”
It’s a textbook example of how toxic employees can stick around longer than they should, thanks to red tape, sympathy, or just sheer inertia. But when the big stuff happens—when the line is crossed in a way that affects real people—corporate finally takes notice.
The Real Takeaway: Consequences Are Real (Even If You’re Crying on the Phone)
There’s a temptation to feel bad when someone loses their job, especially later in life. But empathy doesn’t mean excusing behavior. As the OP astutely asked Linda: “What did you think was going to happen?” It’s a question we could all ask ourselves, or our coworkers, the next time someone’s actions threaten the team, the business, or the guests we’re supposed to serve.
If you work the front desk, you’re the face of the hotel. And if you can’t treat guests with basic human decency, you’re in the wrong business—end of story.
Share Your Own Tales From the Front Desk
Have you ever watched a coworker self-destruct? Or maybe you’ve seen someone finally get the boot after a long list of “little things”? Share your wildest front desk stories in the comments! And remember: the hospitality industry is all about people—all people. Treat them right, or you might just find yourself making that tearful phone call, too.
What would you have said to Linda? Do you think OP was too harsh, or just honest? Let’s hear your thoughts below!
Original Reddit Post: I may have been too harsh but what did she think was gonna happen