$15K Award Upheld for Unfairly Dismissed Former Atlantis Waitress

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Court of Appeal has upheld an award of $15,480 in damages to a former waitress who was unfairly dismissed. 

Winifred Toote, who worked at the Atlantis Casino Bar for 32 years, was fired after a guest claimed she refused to serve him a drink.

On May 4, 2019, Scott Burch, a guest, asked Toote if the drinks were complimentary. 

Toote said they were but that servers worked for tips.

Burch ordered a rum and coke and when Toote brought it to him, he told her he didn’t have any change.

That’s when Toote offered to get change for him, and he told her to take the drink away.

After this exchange, Burch reported Toote to a supervisor.

Toote was fired for gross misconduct two days after.

The appellate court agreed with a lower court’s decision that the hotel didn’t carry out a reasonable investigation before Toote was let go.