I recently signed up for part time hours through an events agency that covers music,sports and private events.
I've over 17 years experience in bar/hotels/restaurants and cafes so I know my stuff, have an up to date person license for the sale of alcohol in Scotland and have overseen training for new staff.
Got on site and was directed to my workstation, the south bar outside a stadium where the concert was taking place. Inquired at the sign in desk who do we report to, what are my duties ect, the basics, and was informed “the tall guy will help”.
Went looking and noticed a casually dressed dude with an earpiece, asked him whats going and he tried to send me back to the sign in guy for instructions, when i explained he'd sent me he barked “just get on with it then”. Not my first rodeo “so get on with it” meant find the stock, set it up and clean up any outstanding mess.
While doing this i noticed all the stock and kegs where not safely stored or accessible, the cider machines still had line cleaner (highly corrosive bleach) was all over the machine and near where the plastic cups area, all the staff (about 30-40) where standing about as no one gave clear instructions with the guy who barked at me walking about telling people to get a move on but not telling what they should be doing.
At this point I did take charge, tried to get people to stay to one station and focus on preparing, restocking and such as there was a lot of us in a small area it was a good idea for us to focus on one section each, this seemed to bring a bit of order to the chaos but also meant people where approaching me for instructions and asking information i just didn't know.
The barking man then ordered us all outside the bar tent, gave us all a plastic bag and told to follow him. No instructions as to what we were being asked to do but I assumed litter picking and I was right. The stadium had a concert last week and it appears nothing had been cleaned. I was willing to bite my lip as this was outside the job description but honestly not the end of the world. I asked where the PPE was, gloves ect. to which one of the leaders snapped ” just use your hands”.
I handed him my bag and walked out, informing my agency I was leaving site and why, I also terminated my employment with them. I can deal with the lack of communication, the rudeness and the unsafe work environment but in return I have the minimum expectation of being treated like a human being.
Did i overreact?