A bar owner found his employees having a secret Christmas party inside his venue without him after they forgot to switch off the CCTV.
Paul Gallagher, who owns the Definitely Maybe bar in Bolton with his brother, had logged on to the CCTV to make sure everything was running OK in his absence.
Through the camera, he saw 10 staff members were having a Christmas party without him, wearing Santa hats and drinking.
The 42-year-old busted his staff mid-celebrations and posted the photos on Facebook.
Paul told The Sun: “I often check the CCTV to keep an eye on things for everyone’s safety.
“I logged on to see them gathered with Santa hats on and tables decorated and presents everywhere and knew what was happening immediately.
“We were not invited. They knew with it being a Monday night the bar would be quiet so they just decided to have an impromptu staff party.”
His employees had even organised a Secret Santa and called in a musician for entertainment.
Mid-party, when they realised they had forgotten to turn off the CCTV, they taunted their boss by making lewd gestures at the camera, with one man sticking his middle fingers up.
They then placed a Christmas hat over the camera so they could party on in private.
The party continued into the early hours of the morning.
The bar’s staff Christmas party was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, and while this year’s bash was scheduled for January, the staff feared it would be cancelled again.
They decided to put on a last-minute do, just in case new restrictions come into force.
Despite the lack of invitation, Paul has taken the secret Christmas party in good humour.
He said: “I did think it was a bit cheeky but didn’t mind. I just wanted them not to drink too much with a big week ahead,” said Paul.
“I just laughed when I saw they had covered the cameras, I knew they would wimp out and take them off before long.
“I posted an image of them all to Facebook showing the CCTV footage knowing our customers would be happy seeing them on the other side of the bar and enjoying themselves as they deserve a bit of a time out and it’s nice to do it before Christmas.
“I like to think people saw the humour in it and would be happy to see them enjoying themselves after spending all year serving our customers.”
