The story of the IHOP server that was fired for feeding a homeless man, spread like wildfire, and now IHOP in the Christmas spirit has offered her the job back.
Victoria Hughes worked at IHOP since 2013, and on November 24 (that's just before Thanksgiving BTW), a homeless came by and said he was hungry, Hughes in her holiday spirit brought the man a small stack of pancakes and a water. When she informed her manager, she didn't get a charitable response.
“He told me the reason behind him being upset, because it could cause a loitering issue…or a safety issue for customers,” Hughes said.
Two days later, Hughes’ manager called her to her, she was being fired, for “company policy”.
That story went viral, and the public outcry got a response from IHOP. Restaurant owner Dan Enea said that the situation was investigated, and a new training program has been created for its employees to address food insecurity issues.
“As part of our ongoing efforts to support those in need within our local community, we will continue to address food insecurity through our partnership with Feeding America and by making a donation to local Lakeland charities that also support this important cause,” Enea said.
IHOP, then offered Hughes her job back, and also to compensate her for her missed work, but Hughes is not sure she would take her old job back.
“I need my job, but I would still do it again,” she said. “I truly would. I would still help somebody if I could. If he asked me for my shirt, I probably would have tried to give him that too.”
Hughes has a GoFundMe to help keep her afloat through the holidays.