The widespread use of personal recording devices to capture videos of people doing the most idiotic of things is allowing websites like YouTube® to flourish. No doubt, the opportunity to grab 15 minutes of fame is driving many of these ridiculous stunts.

Take the recent story of a well-known fast food restaurant whose employee was video-recorded taking a bubble bath in a sink that’s supposed to be used to clean uncooked food. Health officials were shocked, and company officials quickly moved to dismiss the employee – a no-brainer decision. The corporate giant also said they would remind all managers that this type of behavior on the part of their employees cannot be allowed in the future. I’d like to think it wasn’t supposed to be allowed in the past. And I also wonder if some store managers, and not just those at this restaurant chain, will find themselves putting up signs like, “This sink is for washing food. Do not bathe in this sink.”

My question is this: How did an employee taking a bath in a sink happen in the first place? Who was minding the store that evening? Sure, the fast food industry hires lots of young people, and some of these people are relatively immature. However, that’s all the more reason for managers to keep their eyes on their employees. That’s not micromanagement; it’s smart business management.

It takes a whole team of people to build up the reputation of your products, services or your organization. Unfortunately, it only takes one person to tear it down. When you’re not around, who answers your phone? Who ships the products you sell to your customers? How are they treating and servicing your customers? How do they behave when no one else is around? That’s something to think about, especially the next time one of your customers has a complaint.

By the way, it’s been a long time since I’ve eaten at one of the chain restaurants I described above – I think it’s going to be even longer.

Submitted by: