Hotel Chaos: A Lesson in Red Flags and Resilience

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PSA: If someone believes lies about you without seeking clarity, they do NOT like you. Period.

I’ve learned that I don’t owe explanations to those who are quick to assume the worst. Whether it’s family, coworkers, friends, or even former church members—they can stand on whatever narrative helps them sleep at night. My actions have been consistent, and that’s what matters to me.

This story is about a situation I found myself in—one I had nothing to do with—and how it helped me recognize a repeated pattern in my life.

The Job That Should Have Been a Red Flag

For a brief time, I worked at a hotel in the city. The day I walked in to inquire about open positions, I was hired on the spot. In hindsight, that should’ve been my first red flag.

At that time, I was in a difficult place emotionally and financially. I needed a job desperately, and I wasn’t getting much support from anyone, not even those in my own household. I was expected to fix everything, yet when I was broken, no one had the tools to help me. So, with my resume in hand, I approached the front desk.

The older Black woman who greeted me seemed kind and professional. After reviewing my resume, she admitted she didn’t think she could afford me. I heard her, but I was in survival mode. I told her I was willing to make it work because, deep down, I knew she was right—she couldn’t afford me.

I started training that same evening.

Red Flags at the Second Location

Things initially seemed fine. I took detailed notes during training, which later turned into a site procedure guide. I quickly proved I could do the job and was asked to work at two locations to get enough hours.

But the second location was a nightmare. I faced blatant racism—while one employee was allowed to sit and relax, I couldn’t even take my lunch without being told to “find something to do.” The entitlement in that location was unbearable, and I hated being there.

The manager at that site told me, “Whatever we have going on here, stays here.” That statement set off alarm bells. It was clear things were being done under the table, and I wanted no part of it. I also noticed I was being given busywork that should’ve been handled by the hospitality team. The red flags were overwhelming, and I decided not to return to that location.

When Things Fell Apart

About a month into what I thought would be a promising career, chaos erupted.

One morning, I arrived to find a coworker visibly upset. During my two days off, she’d overheard the manager and owner discussing her son negatively. She was hurt deeply because of the sacrifices she’d made for that job and the loyalty she’d shown to management. She worked hard, overextended herself, and never asked for much in return—believing it was what God wanted her to do.

When the manager arrived, my coworker confronted her about the situation. From that moment, I noticed a shift in how the manager treated me. Despite continuing to perform my duties as I had been trained, I suddenly became her target.

She began undermining me in front of guests, accusing me of overbooking the hotel (a result of her tampering with the numbers from her home computer). She assigned me second-shift tasks during my morning shift, which led to guests cursing me out when I had to call about declined credit cards.

To make matters worse, the coworker who had confided in me didn’t tell the manager I wasn’t the one who overheard the conversation. It wasn’t until she saw the manager abusing her authority and treating me horribly for over a week that she finally spoke up. By then, I had already started looking for a new job.

Confrontation and Closure

After I left the job, the coworker finally admitted to the manager that I wasn’t involved. The manager called me into a meeting to “explain” that she never thought I was to blame.

In the most professional way possible, I called her out on her abuse of power. She was stunned. As an awkward attempt to smooth things over, she handed me a $5 Starbucks gift card. I threw it away where she could see it.

She reminded me of my mother—manipulative and controlling. But I wasn’t putting up with it. Once someone shows me their hand, I believe them the first time.

Lessons Learned

This experience reminded me to trust my instincts and recognize red flags early. It also reinforced the importance of knowing my worth and refusing to tolerate mistreatment in any form.

To anyone reading this: Stand firm in who you are, and don’t let toxic environments or people break your spirit. You deserve better—and you can always walk away to find it.

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