Crime doesn't pay, but does honesty?

Staffing problems must be the biggest headache of all for our industry, and probably most others as well. This time of year is renowned for staffing shortages as everyone prepares for the run-up to Christmas.

Staff and problems go hand in hand. I often feel that I'm walking a tightrope - if you push too far, you fall off. Or the staffer walks out. At this time of year they've got you by the… you know what.

About nine weeks ago, we realised that we had a thief in the camp. Money kept going missing and beverage stocktake was always producing a deficit. The management team got together to decide how to tackle this problem, and we all had a suspect in mind.

The weeks went on and we just couldn't be sure who it was or how it was happening. The situation was frustrating for me but also for our general manager, Lisa Fletcher, and our head chef, Ryan Wilson - both were losing bonuses because of the bad stock results.

Again, the management team, all of whom have been with us for years, put their heads together, but to no avail.

I can't remember exactly what it was that made Lisa and Ryan suspect that it was a manager who was stealing, but their hunch was right. A couple of days after voicing their opinion to me, Ryan came to say that a manager had been seen with his hand in the till, but of course there was no proof.

Dilemma

The dilemma then began. This member of staff was an excellent team player and a vital member of the team. Without him, Ryan and Lisa would have to work seven days a week until a replacement was found and trained. But there was no question: catch him, and it had to be instant dismissal.

After an evening of playing Starsky and Hutch, Lisa and Ryan caught the man in question red-handed and dismissed him. Everyone was thrilled, the tills were even for the first time in weeks and the stock was dead on. What isn't on is that Lisa and Ryan are still recruiting for a second chef.

They did a fantastic detective job, solved an enormous problem, then stabbed themselves in the back by creating another. Life is just not fair!

They deserve a gold medal, not a prison sentence. Will they think twice the next time before they dismiss a member of staff, knowing full well that they will take the brunt?

Everything is being done to recruit, but it sometimes feels like we are fighting a losing battle. No wonder our industry suffers such staff shortages. If you've got a solution, I'd love to know it!

Next diary from Tammy Mariaux will be on 27 November