Hatrack River Forum: Perspective(s) needed (warn: angsty)

This is topic Perspective(s) needed (warn: angsty) in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :

Lend and ear/eye? [Smile]

Currently, I'm in enrolled in a very intense BA program for the filmic arts. School goes from 8am-2PM sometimes 3PM. I am out the door at 6:20 AM. Monday-thru-Friday.

My current job in food service just changed over to a restaurant style setup instead of over-the-counter. Two other colleagues and I are from the "old" restaurant and so they're just training us OTJ.

This past weekend was hell. The pace at which the food needs to be made has gone from "fast" to "squirrels on crack". I'm being told constantly to move faster, then when I do, I don't put the balanced amount of ingredients into the item, so I get yelled at for that.

This problem of being too slow compounds itself during rushes, when the chef is calling out orders and I've got 22 tickets for 16 varieties of items.

Basically, I lock up. I get overwhelmed, I slow down, stuff keeps coming in. Last night, the head CHEF had to come down and do some of the items for me.

I'm still on minimum wage, I'm stressed out and depressed because I'm suddenly no longer performing up to par.

I have only so many hours during the day, I can't be going to bed at 11PM, even on weekends because that messes up my sleep schedule for the following monday. Melatonin be darned! [Razz]

So to sum up, the chef and folk keep telling me afterwards that I'm doing a good job, they know I have a learning curve, and I appreciate that.

But now I can honestly say, I hate the place and I don't want to go through another weekend like last weekend (which I'm scheduled for). This job isn't looking very school friendly.

Argle! Should I just quit? Give 4 days notice? Say "I can't take the heat, I'm outta the kitchen"? This job and me, just weren't meant for each other. O.o

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Quit after you find a new job.

Posted by TL (Member # 8124) on :

I agree with Tom -- and also, to be fair to them, you really should give notice. It sounds like the place is pretty busy, and they probably need you. Give them the chance to hire someone else.. Or, at *least* give them to the end of the current schedule so they have the chance to make other plans.

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

It sounds like they may also be understaffed.

It's great that chef is telling you that you're doing a good job. So who is yelling at you?

Good luck.

I agree that finding a new job and giving notice are both important

Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :

I'm constantly amazed how people can go to school and work at the same time. I have a work-study and I do a few gigs on the side to make money, but I just wouldn't be able to function if I went straight from classes to a kitchen for 6-8 hours. When will you watch movies? When will you have time to MAKE movies?

School is your job, I say.

Posted by Boon (Member # 4646) on :

Right now I'm very thankful for my husband's work schedule, which allows him plenty of time to take college classes, spend time with our kids, and take some extra classes as well.

Up until last spring, he had a wierd schedule where he'd work Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Wendesday, Thursday, repeat...so, 3 days a week, 12 to 14 hour shifts, but spread out so it was hard to plan anything else.

Now he just works every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus the occasional one-day part-time gig. It's far from ideal, but a great deal better than it was.

Ever considered bartending? My mother manages a bar and she says her bartenders make between $45 (for a 6 hour shift when hardly anyone comes in, aka "base pay") and $125 or so (for an 8 hour, steady shift including tips). This is in a very out of the way country bar, so if you looked into one with more traffic, you could be looking at decent money.

Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :

Find another job, give them two weeks warning. Be professional, but don't stay in a job that crappy for minimum wage.

If I made minimum wage in the kitchen I work at, I'd have quit two years ago, assuming I stayed past the first two weeks.

Posted by Earendil18 (Member # 3180) on :

I actually spoke with the head chef and he was already consulting the manager about the possiblity of moving me to a front-house position like bussing tables, because apparently I was obvious in my misery. [Wink]

Thanks to everyone who replied.

quote:
Originally posted by Launchywiggin:
I'm constantly amazed how people can go to school and work at the same time. I have a work-study and I do a few gigs on the side to make money, but I just wouldn't be able to function if I went straight from classes to a kitchen for 6-8 hours. When will you watch movies? When will you have time to MAKE movies?

School is your job, I say.

I'm genuinely curious now. How does one pay rent & food if they're not working?

And we MAKE the time to make movies. [Wink]

Innat gweat?!

EDIT: So I just spoke with my manager, and he needs someone who doesn't worry about transportation. ie. Public transport. This just ain't lookin' friendly, despite the wonderful conversation with the head chef.

[ October 18, 2006, 10:59 PM: Message edited by: Earendil18 ]

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

quote:
School is your job, I say.

Too bad the pay sucks.