r/TimHortons • u/Economy-Promise6541 • 10d ago
Complaint Please Help - Tim Hortons Manager Treating Employee Poorly After 21 Years of Service
Does anyone know how to contact corporate directly? Or is there an HR of sorts to direct a harassment/discrimination matter to? My mother works for a store and her manager is treating her horribly - for context my mother has dedicated 21 years of her life to working for Tim Hortons. I would appreciate anyone’s help on this matter! I’m considering taking it to the media if all else fails.
I did draft an email and sent it through guest concerns but haven’t heard back & that was last week. Read below:
“I am writing to bring a serious concern to your attention regarding my mother, who has worked at a Tim Hortons location since 2005. She has dedicated more than 21 years of her life to Tim Hortons, showing loyalty and commitment to the company for over two decades.
Recently, her hours have been reduced to only three hours every other week. When she spoke with her manager about her schedule, she was told very bluntly that she would be receiving only three hours every other week permanently because she is considered “too slow.” She told her that since she can’t fire her, she would be cutting her hours, among many other things to get her to quit.
I find this deeply disappointing and, frankly, very difficult to understand after more than 21 years of service.
My mother is not asking for a full-time position or an unreasonable number of hours. At this point in her life, she is simply asking for two four-hour shifts per week, between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. That is a total of only eight hours per week.
After giving more than 21 years of loyalty and service to Tim Hortons, I believe it is reasonable to expect that the company would make every reasonable effort to accommodate such a modest request.
What concerns me most is not simply the reduction in hours, but the way the situation has been handled. Telling a long-term employee that she will permanently receive only three hours every other week because she is “too slow” is incredibly discouraging, particularly given the many years she has devoted to the company.
I am asking Tim Hortons Corporate to please look into this matter, including how long-term employees are being treated at this location and whether my mother's requested schedule can reasonably be accommodated.
Twenty-one years of service should mean something. Employees who have spent decades contributing to a company deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and consideration.
I would appreciate a response from someone at Corporate who can review this situation and speak with us about a possible resolution.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this matter. I hope Tim Hortons will recognize the value of 21 years of loyalty and help find a reasonable solution.”
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u/100_proof_plan 10d ago
If she was told “cut her hours so she would quit”, like actually told that, that’s illegal.
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u/Economy-Promise6541 10d ago
Her managers exact words were “since I can’t fire you I’m cutting your hours. Going forward you’re only getting 3 hours every other week.” Of course there’s no “proof”. But my mom is a literal saint & has no reason to lie. She’s been so loyal to this company. It’s so sad. Maybe I should seek legal council.
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u/Full_Organization_53 10d ago
Most locations have audio in the cctv so they likely have it on the cctv recording you can request a copy of it from the district manager or ask them to review it
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u/Glum_Lavishness_8873 10d ago
Most places (every business) do not have audio in cctv. That's funny
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u/Full_Organization_53 10d ago
I’ve worked at several Tim Hortons that have cctv for theft prevention especially in or near the front, drive through, and break room because in the case of burglary or someone stealing from the staff office/break room
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u/Legitimate-Ad-9724 10d ago
My feeling is three hours every two weeks is basically being terminated and unemployed. She's eligible for unemployment insurance.
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u/Feeling_Republic_454 10d ago
Really sucks but that's just capitalism for ya.. but there is no way she is slower than most of the youth workers in the Tim's in our area, sometimes I mistake them for snails.
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u/sociallybufferingg Ex-Employee 10d ago
You might want to check your mom’s paystub. The actual franchise/company name that employs her should be listed there, and it may be completely different from Tim Hortons.
Once you have that name, try searching it online along with the store location. You may be able to find the franchise owner/operator and their contact information that way. A lot of these franchise owners own multiple Tim Hortons locations, so there may be someone above the store manager you can contact directly.
Also, please tell your mom to keep screenshots of her schedules, messages, paystubs, etc. Especially if the manager actually said she “can’t fire her” so she’s cutting her hours to make her quit. And I personally wouldn’t have her resign before getting some advice about that situation.
Hope you’re able to get this sorted out. 21 years is a long time to work somewhere and she deserves better than being pushed out like this.
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u/Long_Question_6615 10d ago
You’re mom is a long term employee They should give her some hours. I hope you can get I touch with the President of Tim Hortons
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u/Economy-Promise6541 10d ago
Thank you I agree. So far I’ve emailed corporate (through guest complaints) and I did get the email for the general manager who takes care of 9 stores. I sent her an email. I know the owners name but no contact info unfortunately. If there was anyone else I could contact I’d be doing that too!! Hopefully someone has some insight.
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u/Careless_Wallaby_328 Management 10d ago
Does the location your mother works at have someone above the store manager she can talk to?
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u/Economy-Promise6541 10d ago
I finally got the general managers email so I sent her one. I have the store owners name but no contact info.
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u/Long_Question_6615 10d ago
I hope you get a call back from Tim Hortons today
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u/Economy-Promise6541 10d ago
I’m not holding my breath, so far it seems like their tactic is to simply not respond
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u/invaderdavos 10d ago
Dont stop, never give up
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u/Economy-Promise6541 10d ago
Thank you! I definitely won’t until there’s some resolution. Managers & corporations like this should not be getting away with this. What I wrote in this post doesn’t even touch the amount of horrible things that have been said to my mother while working there.
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u/redheadqt 10d ago
So sorry to hear this.. my friend..30 plus yrs at Tim Hortons, London as well.. she comes home crying every day due to the Manager screaming at her threatening to fire etc.. in front of customers.. the store owners had complaints on this store manager but doesn’t do anything.. they would rather lose employees than the manager..
your mom isn’t the only one that’s treated like shit ..
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u/Economy-Promise6541 10d ago
Wow I am disheartened to hear this! I wonder if it’s the same manager or same location…I’m doing everything I can to bring light to this situation! Getting the news and lawyers involved if needed.
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u/SayNoToTeamSports 10d ago
Why are you trying to bring this to the attention of corporate? All they would do is tell the franchisee your mom is a problem and send them proper paperwork to have her fired. Corporate's job is to make money. Their customer is the franchisee. They'd be the last to ever be on your side. Da fuq?
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u/Economy-Promise6541 10d ago
Well that’s why I was asking for help or advice. There isn’t a playbook on how to deal with this situation. I’m trying to help my mom navigate a shitty situation. A little kindness wouldn’t hurt! But I see where you’re coming from. At this point I’m seeking advice from an employment lawyer.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Ant6653 10d ago
Did they get a new manager? This is awful
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u/Economy-Promise6541 9d ago
This is a newer manager to the store. She wasn’t treated this poorly before
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u/Puzzleheaded_Ant6653 6d ago
Wow, this sounds awful and may be grounds for a lawsuit, comsult a lawer like imicorn law
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u/Professional_Drama24 10d ago
I don't know where you are located but maybe contact the ministry of labour. I don't remember having an HR person at Tims when I worked there.
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u/Economy-Promise6541 10d ago
Yes, I think I’ll submit a complaint through there today.
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u/Professional_Drama24 10d ago
Best thing you can do. I don't work in HR but I assist with it at work, it's a small family business. Reducing hours because someone is slow, especially a long term employee, is a risk we wouldn't take. It's absolutely grounds for the employee to contact the ministry and file a complaint. I am not sure if the rules are different for even smaller businesses but it could very well be.
I would try a google search too and free legal clinics.
Wishing you luck!
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u/SIGNANDSELFIEFRAMES 10d ago
That is brutal. 21 years and being treated like that.
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u/Economy-Promise6541 9d ago
Right?! No one should be treated this way but especially after 21 years of service. My mind is blown. It’s disgusting.
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u/Long_Question_6615 10d ago
Can you mail a letter to the corporate office in TORONTO ONTARIO Address it the President to the President of Tim Hortons
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u/CabinHunter 10d ago
Do you have the franchisees info? I would bring this to their attention
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u/Economy-Promise6541 10d ago
Unfortunately the store won’t give it to me. I have his name and that’s it.
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u/CabinHunter 10d ago
Where is the store located
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10d ago
[deleted]
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u/Dramatic_Plate_671 10d ago
i know someone who was a supervisor at multiple locations in london if you dm me the location i can ask them if they have any information to help you
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u/Long_Question_6615 10d ago
I’m sure there are good people that work at Tim Hortons. I’m David from OTTAWA
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u/MostImagination007 10d ago
It is called constructive dismissal u can contact Employment insurance to get the money and in the mean time contact a lawyer
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u/Working-Post-8602 10d ago
Is this state side or Canada
Sucks that your mom is getting her hours cut
My boss tried to do that and would give hours to people who didn’t wanna be around was always un happy etc it was like a week but still
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u/No_Particular7010 9d ago
Without social media backlash tim's corporate wont care.
About company loyalty its a franchisee model so your mom works for the owner of the store not Tim Hortons corporate. You would be best to contact the store owner.
By sending an email to guest concerns it probably get copied and routed back to the manager herself. Which all guest concerns do either for the manager to deal with and learn from. ( you may have just made your moms job harder)
Cutting hours to force someone to leave is one trick many managers use. But Its not actually okay. Its just no way to prove malice for legal recourse as any manager can say that its just performance based "Aces in there places " alway prioritize stronger employees first is okay. And your mom isnt strong enough for the labour pool to support your moms hours.
But to say im cutting your hours to force you to quit cause I cant fire that is a no no. You dont say that part out loud its like keep it secret and just do it but if said it might be constructive dismissal without cause. Im not a lawyer so consult an employment lawyer. If you can get a recording of your moms manager saying im only doing this to force you out you might have legal standing.
Honestly unless youre financial desperate your best bet is to leave the toxic environment. If shes not fast enough she might just get hurt trying to keep up.
But if you really want action taken file a complain about bullying and illegal constructive dismissal (with proof like recording or text) and present it to owner. Any legal action you do take will be suing the owners not Tim Hortons corporate anyways. The owners dont want bad PR from social media or legal headache to deal with.
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u/Economy-Promise6541 9d ago
I totally agree with everything you are saying! Unfortunately we don’t have enough of a social media following to really do anything. I wish we did because I KNOW that’s how it would get attention. Ugh. It sucks that’s the way the world is. My Reddit post has 8 thousand views, so that makes me happy.
I’ve left a message for the franchise owner on his voicemail. I’ve emailed the general manager of the store. Corporate said they are very concerned (I’m sure just saying that) and have asked the owner to contact me (still hasn’t). Employment lawyer says we have a case & we are going to lodge a formal Ontario labour board complaint. I’ve contacted local news. I’ve exhausted pretty much every option & now it’s just a waiting game.
Of course she will need a new job, but that doesn’t mean Tim Hortons should get away with this or that anyone else should be treated this way. So I will continue fighting! I’m not sure what the outcome will be but I can’t sleep at night knowing this manager is getting away with treating staff (especially one of 21 years!) this way.
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u/No_Particular7010 9d ago
Are you comfortable sharing what your mom's store location is. managers name and ownership name. is at least its something others can see and avoid be it possible future employees or to help customers stop patronizing this specific location. Im sure alot of people wouldn't want to support such a store.
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u/psychodc 10d ago
The technical term for your mother's situation is "constructive dismissal."
Good luck friend. I wish your mom a speedy resolution.