Firing waitress sensible

Many netizens praised a part-time waitress who held an umbrella for an elderly beggar during her work hours, and criticized the restaurant for firing the girl later. The girl did do a good deed, but she actually had a better choice, says an article in Yangtze Evening News. Excerpts:

Cao Di, a high-school graduate, insisted on holding her umbrella for a beggar when she should have been working rather than simply give it to him as suggested. Many netizens blamed the restaurant for being ruthless.

However, such indignation should not be based on emotion, nor should the restaurant where Cao worked be criticized. Cao could have helped the beggar by simply giving the umbrella to him.

Moreover, Cao herself took the job as part-time during her summer vacation, namely she will leave sooner or later anyway. Hence there has been no violation of a labor contract.

Good deeds deserve praise, but people should do such deeds appropriately.

(China Daily 06/27/2012 page11)