Too Harsh? Or setting a new level?

Geesh, why do I have to care? Why do I have to think about others? Why can't i just be your typical, harsh is good, manager? Instead I have to feel bad for the choices I make. I know this sounds silly but I am WAY leaned back and straight forward almost a walk over w/ a little brains, lots of smiles, some personality and hard to discipline employees as needed.

So I got my God-sent Ast... hmmm almost like what I would imagine a REAL RGM to be... then again he has been one so he's been there done that and probably in awe over what a mess he has walked into... Yes I kow I am rambling.

So we are working in standard and routines and even accountability. EX: he needs to kick my butt if he catches me relying to much on a certain employee(s) or manager(s) as it shows favortism and makes it hard for me to be taken seriously. So we've been instilling these things into my emps heads... some are veruy UNhappy about these new higher standards and expectations, some flat out do everything they can to not listen to me and him... they think we'll give in- but no such luck this time!

So anywho... one employee refused to obey the rules... simple stuff like microwaving the bottoms f sandwiches, using tonngs, wearing gloves when required... he INTENTIONALLY did the opposite of what he knew was required of him... like EVERYSINGLE sandwich using hands not tongs, continually not microwaving sandwiches and in the mean time he's slamming stuff aound- potentially could break my equipment... just totally rediculous. He was REALLY starting to tick me off and I believe I'm a very relaxed happy go lucky type mgr so to REALLY piss me off it's more of a task!

SO continually I tell and etell and rerererererererer tell him use tongs etc... and I finally warn him of the consequences if he chooses not to listen to me... and 12 seconds later the very next food he touches w/ his hands. Accident? I think not!

However, another night manager- works max of 2 days a week felt I was overly harsh on him. Was I? I thought I was suppose to be harsh and hold to our standards!? Yes this was somewhat new-- the end of week 2 of some changes... She wrote this email to me.

I was really surprised to hear of David being fired. I guess as a mother, I am concerned because of David's circumstances. His parents are not able to help him at all, and he is supporting himself and putting himself through college.

Dave always was willing tto stay late, help out....Yes I had to ride his butt about the sandwiches, and tongs too...However, old habits are hard tobreak, and all of the managers are to blame as well, since several policies have not been enforeced.

"I was hoping that since so many other crew have been given chance after chance for everything from smart mouth(Adam, Peggy), to no show no call ( Josh), to being late (Adam, Josh, James, David, LJ, Molly, ) horse playing ( LAuren, ADam, Mike) to not following uniform- almost everyone...... that maybe Gary and you might be willing to let Dave come back on a strict probation basis.....I feel that everyone else has been given chance again and again, and when I look at how helpful Dave has been when we have been short handed, I think it's only fair that he be given another chance"

BTW all these "2nd chances" were prior to the new ast mgr and the new higher standars.
Anyone have any thoughts?
YES this is set to preferred...