The Resistance Comes To Work

Mom's Home Cookin' prides itself on the strong relationship it has built with its employees over more than 25 years in business. The bustling restaurant has grown from a humble beginning, with just two employees, to a thriving business with more than 30 servers, kitchen staff, and bus staff. And, while the composition of the workforce has changed a bit, the family atmosphere remains. Even when conversations grew heated during the 2016 election season, "Mom" liked to say it was just like a contentious Thanksgiving dinner with relatives of different political stripes.

When the fast-food restaurant across the street was targeted by protesters demanding that the chain pay its workers $15 per hour, Mom's employees showed little interest. So Mom was surprised when, one day in February, all three of her dishwashers announced they would not be coming to work the next day. Instead, they told her, they were going to take part in the "A Day Without Immigrants" protest. Mom knew they were upset about the new president's immigration policies, but she pointed out that since they were all lawful U.S. residents they had no reason for concern. Moreover, she had no contingency plan for their absences. Mom pleaded with Marco, her seasoned employee, whom she suspected was the ringleader. He was sorry to put her in a jam, he said, but he was adamant. So, too, was Mom. "If you don't show up tomorrow," she finally threatened, "don't bother showing up ever again."

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Originally published by Wolters Kluwer

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