We are currently boycotting Athol Cinemas 8 located in Athol Ma. Let me make this clear, we want a theater in town... However, we demand a new GM, in order to do that we must stop all business at the theater.

We have met with the president of this theater. Patrons and past employees gathered at Athol Cinemas 8 to express our concerns and tell our stories. The president did not invite us for a meeting, patrons had multiple phone calls and emails ignored, an employee tipped us off and alerted us that they were preparing for his arrival to meet with the BOH the following day. This meeting was forced on him as we were tired of being ignored. The president made it very clear that he was more concerned for this GM and where he would place her next, if he decided to remove her from Athol Cinemas 8. We all suggested that he shouldn't worry about that and maybe she would be better off in a field more suited for her.

Before getting into specifics, please note that although I was employeed here, I was never targeted by this GM. In fact, I was paid more to do the same tasks other employees did. I picked my own hours and had whatever days I wanted, off. I was offered the management position on several ocassions but turned it down due to my lack of availability, as I have a child and work elsewhere. 

In July of 2019 I quit, for the second and final time. Yes, I had quit before for various reasons and had been promised things had changed, I came Back in May, unfortunately, nothing changed, in fact, it had only gotten worse. I left a very good gig, and here's why...

If you've been to this theater on the surface everything looks good, however, internally there were MAJOR issues. 

Employees were belittled, when customers were around and behind the scenes, employees with illnesses and disabilities were made to complete tasks that left them in physical distress sometimes even tears all while this GM mocked them. Employees were retaliated against when taking any days off due to illnesses, surgeries, and family emergencies. Employees were referred to as stupid, idiots, morons and little shits. Younger employees, disabled and elderly patrons were her main targets. Those she felt were the easiest to pray on, those who would be less likely to speak up. But, they were not her only victims as she has been reported for mistreating anyone who walked through her doors. Feel free to read up on Google reviews, some reviews dating back to last year. She's deleted all reviews on Facebook

Cleanliness was a huge issue, soda machines were not properly cleaned as we did not have the right tools to be able to effectively clean them. Mold would gather up inside the machines. Yes, the nozzles and surfaces could be cleaned, however, up inside the machines there was no way to properly clean the machine with the dirty dish rags we were provided with. This discovery was made by an employee, however the GM never corrected it. Patrons complained of feeling sick after eating there.

Popcorn was stored in yellow bags and put out back daily. Left over night for rodents to chew through, as well as soda syrup and ICEE mixes. We did not discard them, instead we were directed to tape holes and continue to serve. Mice droppings could be found everywhere in the food prep room, under the ICEE machines and under soda fountains, instead of being cleaned we were told to keep cabinets closed. This was in an effort to keep patrons from knowing what was going on.

During our meeting with the president he did addmit to a problem with rodents, but did not elaborate any further. It's not unusual for rodents to look for warm places to live in the winter. However, it is unusual not to clean up after them or continue to use products that have been chewed on to save a buck. Also, one mop head was provided to employees, this mop head cleaned both the bathroom and kitchen floors. Butter for popcorn was stored under cabinets next to degreaser and other cleaning agents. When employees brought it up we were told to "pick our battles" Popcorn warmers were cleaned with windex as soapy water left too many streaks, according to the GM. Cups were washed out and reused, to save on inventory. Water used to spray pretzels to get salt to adhere to the tops was stored in empty cleaning bottles. This water was never changed, it was slimey and stagnant. Assistant manager Keith, who I vouged for and got him his job just a few weeks ago, did admit that the GM has now adressed these issues, as of last week, but the issue is the theater has been open for a year, why should it take all of this and complaints to the BOH for it to be done ? I did tell the GM that the BOH would be contacted, I told the president too, after complaints were ignored. This gave them time to clean the building, which was an error on my part. I had complained about these issues months ago to a specific selectman in town. I was advised to contact the BOH. But, I did not, again, huge error on my part.

One employee in specific was this General Manager's favorite person to pick on. His name is Tim Canning, not one bad word to say about anyone. Always happy, friendly, accommodating, just an all around good person. These days, you don't see many like him and it was refreshing to be around.

Tim suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, if you've not heard of it, I encourage you to look it up, it's a lung disease which ultimately claims the life of those who suffer from it at a young age. This would be the short version, like I said, please read up on it as there is no where near enough awareness for this disease. 

Tim no longer works at the theater, myself and other past employees banned together in an effort to find him a new job, which he got and is currently in training for. Tim was tormented daily by this GM. He would walk in happily, great us all including our GM, she would look him up and down, roll her eyes and ignore him. Tim was not allowed to eat on breaks, she would purposely find other meaningless tasks for him to do to keep him away from other staff and her. Tim was allowed to watch her eat. I remember a time when Tim wrote a letter to our GM expressing his desire to be trained on other jobs in the kitchen. Tim was pulled out back and screamed at, he was told that the only job he was good at was taking out trash. 

Tim was once made to empty every trash can, bring it outside to the dumpster, come back in clean all 8 theaters and then take out all cardboard in the back room. He had 20 minutes to complete all tasks before movie goers showed up. After completing tasks, he was yelled at for not doing it faster, Tim, came into the kitchen gasping, covered in sweat, coughing, red and visibly overwhelmed. He needed a drink, she did not let him have a drink instead she yelled at him to get back in the hall. Tim did follow orders, I opened the door and asked him to meet me by the soda machines and I snuck him a cup through the side of the machine. I did this for other employees as well.

Tim liked to sing, and he was pretty good at it. Tim loved to sing songs from the movies we had playing, Terri would always make it a point to corner him and tell him how horrible his voice was.

Tim was never talked to, he was constantly yelled at. He was yelled at for doing things everyone else did, it was only wrong if he did it. He was belittled, disrespected and sometimes left in tears. He just wanted a job, he wanted to be independent and she made it impossible.

Our GM was also caught being inappropriate with her husband at the theater. Her husband is almost always at the theater to hang out with her. One assistant manager was fired for answering the BOH questions truthfully when they made a visit. Long story short, managers were not certified to handle food, after admitting this the GM was forced to have all managers certified. She even bullied an employee suffering from mental illness into leaving.. 

Patrons are always refereed to as "stupid Athol people" regardless of where you're from. 

There is far too much for me to list, if you join the Boycott Athol Cinemas 8 on Facebook you can read up on others experiences and more. 

This isn't my first rodeo, I've petitioned to have a substitute teacher removed from my daughters school. I will admit that I had heard many complaints about this sub but said nothing, until it effected my daughter. This person was removed from my daughters school.

With that I learned that even if it doesn't directly effect you, if you see it, you speak up. You don't wait and only report problems when it starts to effect you. If you ignore it, you're just as bad. 

The only way to get corperate to listen is to hit them where it hurts, and that's money. Do not step foot into this establishment until this GM is gone. The next step is the owner and we'll keep climbing until we get there. Those who try and sabotage our efforts are what's wrong with this world. People matter, your desire to watch a movie should not overpower your compassion for others.

Be sure to check out our group (Boycott Athol Cinemas 8) on Facebook. The president has yet to adress the situation. We were told that when we left the meeting, it was made to be one big joke. 

Thank's for reading. 

Feel free to look up their business page as well on Facebook under "Athol Cinemas 8"