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Tonbridge: Protesters gather outside Hilden Manor
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by Beaulieu | January 17, 2010 at 02:10 am
1649 views | 35 Recommendations | 19 comments
Update 28/10/11. A former member of staff at the Hilden Manor faces criminal accusations of sexual assault say sources from the Kent & Sussex Courier. Robert DeBoick 40 is due to appear before magistrates on Wednesday next week, charged over an allegation involving a woman in the Royal Oak Beefeater in Wrotham Heath. Deboick used to be a kitchen manager at the Hilden Manor. He has been bailed to appear before Sevenoaks Magistrates Court on November 2nd.
A GROUP of local Tonbridge and Hildenborough residents turned up at very short notice, despite the freezing cold, outside the Hilden Manor to protest against Whitbread's weak 'investigation', and harassment within the Hilden Manor.
At very short notice, they made up banners and went round local houses popping leaflets through them 'in the dead of night' about the protest.
There was a huge amount of support from the motorists as they went by.
Some motorists who had actually eaten that evening at the Beefeater came out and gave them a couple of hoots. They must have wondered what on earth was going on and may have only found out while they were having a meal there.
Other residents who had received the leaflets came up to the group and gave them lots of support . The Courier came round to take some photos.
A young Beefeater Operations Representative turned up. One of the protesters had a meeting with him but there didn't appear to be significant action from Beefeater to resolve the matter. They also couldn't comment on an individual case.
Some of the group had written to Whitbread directly but had no response. The protesters want justice for the victim.
Previous story:
Tonbridge: Whitbread sparks Anger as Manager who lost Sexual Harrassment case in Tribunal keeps job
It is incredible these days that the victim loses his job but the perpetrator does not as in this case in Tonbridge in Kent:
A employee who allegedly was harassed, according to the Kent & Sussex Courier, this week, at a Hildenborough Beefeater chain, and won his case at an Employment Tribunal, has had to leave his job.
However Robert Deboick, who lost, was allegedly allowed to continue working at the Whitbread establishment.
The following article has made front page headlines in the Kent & Sussex Courier this week.
This has outraged some local residents, former employees and shareholders, some of whom regularly used to eat at the Hilden Manor restaurant.
It is not just this story, but what they say in their 'corporate spiel' that just does not add up in this instance.
A SEX PEST is continuing to work in a senior role at a popular Tonbridge restaurant, the Courier can reveal.
Robert DeBoick held on to his job at Hilden Manor Beefeater on London Road – despite groping a male former work colleague. A tribunal in Ashford heard he also indecently exposed himself to his victim on two occasions – and was warned about his behaviour by Kent Police and his bosses at Whitbread. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is furious that DeBoick, whose wife Lisa is the venue's general manager, kept his job as kitchen manager even though an employment tribunal ruled against him. He said: "I'm very angry he's still there. I only found out recently he was still in the same job, when I was basically forced to move on.
Whitbread's website states that Beefeaters are 'warm and welcoming', a 'welcome with a smile':
"First established 35 years ago, Beefeater is a warm and welcoming restaurant that is ideal for any occasion, from a quick bite to eat, through to meeting up with friends or celebrating with family." www.whitbread.co.uk
At the tribunal, DeBoick put it down to 'horseplay':
"DeBoick admitted at the October tribunal to touching his victim's nipples, testicles and bottom – and also to telling him he loved him. He said it was all part of kitchen "banter" and "horseplay" which regularly occurred between members of staff."
Alan Parker, the CEO, states on Whitbread's website:
"Our pub restaurant brands - Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Table Table and Taybarns - located on joint sites alongside Premier Inn, continue to gain market share and delivered strong growth, with total sales* up 6.9% and like for like sales up 2.1%. "
Whitbread also manage other brands:-
"Whitbread Group PLC is a UK-based hospitality company, managing several popular brands in hotels, restaurants and coffee houses, including Premier Inn, Table Table, Brewers Fayre, Taybarns, Beefeater and Costa Coffee. The company’s headquarters are based in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. The company was founded as a brewery by Samuel Whitbread and Thomas Shewell in 1742 but has since halted all interests in brewing. The Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and currently is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
Whitbread have a Press Cutting list on their website but the article from the Kent & Sussex Courier has, as yet, not been put up. Whitbread also state that 'Doing Nothing is not an Option', under the title 'Corporate Responsibility' on their website.
"We believe doing nothing is not an option. So we've been working on a plan which we're calling 'Good Together '. It is a demonstration of our Whitbread Way - our values of genuine, confident and committed. Good Together is big and bold - covering lots of areas like energy efficiency and reducing waste, sourcing the most sustainable raw materials such as coffee beef and fish, encouraging healthier eating and further developing our charity programmes."
and finally, this is what Whitbread say about the people they employ
"Our 33,000 people serve over 9 million customers every month. And as the frontline of our business, we are 100% dependent on our people to deliver our brand promises, day in and day out. That's why we only employ the very best people in the hospitality industry - and we do all that we can to keep them. There isn't a typical Whitbread employee. Despite being from different backgrounds, Whitbread people are always friendly, passionate and ready to help.
And they're nice people to be around. (YES THEY DID SAY THAT)
They come from hundreds of countries across the world, and from all age groups. There are common things we believe in - people and team work; passion for winning; continuous improvement and caring for guests - but it's the diversity of people who make up our company and their ability to meet the needs of our customers that make us successful."
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (19)
at 04:49 on January 17th, 2010
The Townspeople should protest outside the Premises until this Guy is Fired,he got away with it because his Wife is in Charge.Boycott the Restaurant until he has been removed.I am sure the Whitbread Organisation will not like the adverse Publicity that will ensue because of this.
at 04:59 on January 17th, 2010
I agree, bad publicity for Whitbread would force their hand, his wife should go too, though quite why she is married to such an obnoxious person is beyond me...horse play? I'd have busted him in the mouth if he had treated me like that.
at 05:44 on January 17th, 2010
I didn't think 'horseplay' (anyhow) was acceptable health and safety wise in a Kitchen too.
at 15:01 on January 17th, 2010
Disgraceful behaviour in the workplace! Unfortunately, there is no law against being a bad employer, unless there is discrimination, breach of contract or unfair dismissal involved. The new Employment procedures from April 2009 allow tribunals to uplift awards against "bad" employers by 25%.
at 15:40 on January 17th, 2010
Isn't "gay" behavior protected in the workplace?
Now, had he done that to a woman, why it would be actual harassment.
In this case, it was simply a homosexual in heat.
at 10:55 on January 20th, 2010
I think if it was handled correctly this wouldn't even get to court in the first place.
at 10:31 on January 18th, 2010
The Company Name is in Disrepute.....Whitbread take Action......
at 10:56 on January 20th, 2010
A protest has been organised.
at 13:59 on January 18th, 2010
Just had a look at Whitbread's press cuttings page on their website. The thisiskent.co.uk article has still not been put up.
Fancy that.
at 17:48 on January 18th, 2010
This is really bad, good find though.
at 07:13 on January 20th, 2010
You bunch of narrow minded idiotic fools!! Have you totally lost sight that Rob is a devoted husband and father and your slanderous, barbaric and heathen style protest bares great detrement to his children, or had you not considered this? Clearly your small minds wouldn't allow you to perform such a function! Rob has nothing to hide, as made aware in the tribunal, this therefore poses the question, why then did the 'unamed' supposed victim, in fact lose his job??? Well.......................................... speaks volumes, not such an innocent victim after all, maybe £6000 wasn't enough for the lies and he wants more, if only you knew the truth! Now all get a life and allow Rob and his family to get on with theirs!!!!
at 11:12 on January 20th, 2010
does naomi not know that the courier do not pay for a story so i dont think the victim was in for the money
at 08:22 on March 18th, 2010
Is he shagging you as well as...................???????????? This sleaze bag is definitely not a devoted husband or father??? Ask them why they moved from the last Whitbread in Sussex?????? She has no respect for herself or her children staying with this low life! Especially after what she found out about him and another employee!!!!!! You really do not know this couple who live a total lie!!!!!
at 11:53 on January 20th, 2010
topher, I was not suggesting the courier had paid the victim for the story, however the statement released clearly states the pay out the 'victim' received.
at 13:08 on January 20th, 2010
Naomi I don't know Robert Deboick or his victim, but you clearly written maybe £6000 wasn't enough for his lies and he wants more that to me suggests money. You also say lies the way you write im thinking you may know both people, so you maybe able to answer a few questions1. did Robert Deboick admit to touching testicles,bottom,nipples,saying "I love you"2. how can the victim be telling lies.3. Have the courier printed facts from tribunal findings.This is not meant to cause an argument but im very interested in debates and as you are aware this quite a big one in the tonbridge area.With kind regardsTopher
at 13:49 on January 21st, 2010
In the Sun today (the link is not online yet) 21/1/10, another boss, elsewhere, who made lewd comments was struck off:
"A social worker boss was sacked for repeatedly making lewd comments to female staff faced more shame this week after he was struck off.
Grubby Douglas Adams 56 was banned by the General Social Care Council after a 2 day hearing in London.
Disciplinary Panel said the right of Adam's colleagues to be free of abuse was more important than his career".
Just shows you how other places manage it.
at 08:12 on January 22nd, 2010
An excerpt from the Kent & Sussex Courier today on Page 42 with a photo of the Hilden Manor (however, a fairly old photograph as it was covered in snow and it wasn't snowy at all though) (22/1/10)
"A group of protesters gathered outside the Hilden Manor in Tonbridge on Tuesday night to vent their anger at owner's Whitbread.
......
A Whitbread spokesman said they were sticking by Mr De-Boick.
She said 'A workplace tribunal took place in October 2009 to address the issue of reported inappropriate banter which took place in late 2008.
A sum of money was awarded to the claimant due to the perceived inadequacy of the investigatory process and the tribunal did find that inappropriate and unwanted banter took place.
There were no criminal charges brougbht against the manager, who previously had an exemplary record of service.
We are concerned now with supporting our existing employees and are confident our internal processes are even more robust following the outcome of the tribunal.
Our disciplinary process is designed to improve performance and we are confident no further allegations, of the same nature, will be raised by employees of the site".
at 06:04 on January 23rd, 2010
Beaulieu Whitbread clearly think they're above the law do you think we could arrange another protest but this time with more time and hopefully more people.
at 02:57 on January 25th, 2010
Personally, I think the victim would prefer an 'end to this matter'. And I think that people have a choice now whether to eat there or even work there or not.
In my case, most definitely not.
.