I started work at this restaurant recently. I was under the impression I would strictly answering phones and ringing people up. I also didn’t even apply for this position. I worked next door at another business, and that business unfortunately went under. And the owner of the restaurant offered me a job, I felt like I would’ve been stupid to turn it down because I did need money at the time.
I was supposed to start work on a slower day so I could learn the ropes. But they asked me to start on Saturday. I made sooo many mistakes. I won’t lie. But things weren’t explained to me well. And I did end up causing the owner to lose some money. There’s no POS system, so I have to manually calculate totals, tax, and discounts. I’m also 90% sure that the discounts are applied illegally because they’re after tax but ????
I felt awful. I ended up going home sobbing because the owner yelled at me. I kind of understood it because I would’ve been angry in their position. But they had me bagging food, dealing with money, answering phones, and making drinks. Would’ve been fine if I had some training earlier in the day to get a hold of things. But I started at 5 and felt thrown in the deep end. I wrote off my feelings about being yelled as being ultra sensitive because of what was happing simultaneously in my personal life.
I came in my second day determined to not mess up. And I genuinely didn’t. But everyday I’ve come into work since, the owner mentions kind of passive aggressively how I’m bad at cash. Despite not making a mistake since day one.
I have ADHD, I won’t lie. So working in a restaurant hasn’t been high on my list, just because I know that it would be taxing on me. And I know my abilities and I know I wouldn’t be a massive asset as a worker in a restaurant unless I was focused on one thing like dishwashing.
I’ve been able to start taking on more tasks slowly over the last few weeks. I’ll be answering phones, packing food, serving tables, doing dishes, making drinks, and dealing with the money. My job made me slightly anxious because the kitchen will tell me something will be ready for a specific time. Then I’ll have customers come in to pick up, and have to wait thirty extra minutes. And I’m the one who gets yelled at and has to field complaints. But I could handle that.
On Sunday, I was doing all of the things mentioned above. Just go go going. I thought I was doing really well. I was cleaning up a table, and then started totalling their bill as they had come up front to pay. My bosses yelled my name, and I said I’d be there in a moment plus explained why/what I was doing. They yelled now. So I apologized to the customers but said I’d be right back.
I went into the kitchen, it was food I was supposed to bring out to a table. So I did that and then came back to the cash area. I have to use a calculator to total stuff up, and I was partially done my calculations. Should I have restarted? Yes. But the rational part of my brain wasn’t working in the moment, I was rushing to get to the next thing I won’t lie. Long story short, I messed up the total. And charged less than I should’ve.
I realized my error and called them back. I also apologized. My boss came out and took over. That was 100% fine. I didn’t know if they were gonna split it or refund then redo the transaction. So I wouldn’t have been helpful anyways. I checked on another table and then went to go do dishes in the back. My boss came in, and threw the bill at me then yelled “What the fuck is this?”
I tried to explain and apologize. I did feel very bad. They left, and I just kept doing dishes until I was done all of them. I came back out to ask what I can help with. They the yelled at me again, this time in the front where there were tables with people seated. And I apologized again. They brought up my first day again, and idk it just genuinely made me feel like garbage. I went home immediately after.
They also threatened to take off this from my paycheque if this happens again. Which is illegal in our location. Also, I corrected my mistake. They actually didn’t lose any money. But I still understand making them upset, but I don’t appreciate being belittled and treated like that.
I only work weekends because I’m a full time student. I’m supposed to work tomorrow. It’s genuinely ruined my day today because all I’ve been thinking about is how much I don’t want to go to work tomorrow. How I don’t want to see my boss again. And I’ve genuinely been having anxiety attacks all day when I get thinking about it.
I told my family and friends about the incidents. And my friends said they would’ve quit on the spot. In theory I haven’t been working long enough to owe them 2 or even 1 week’s notice. I know I won’t use this place as a reference. My mom wants me to quit after hearing the most recent blow up.
I’m just conflicted about quitting. I don’t need the money. On one hand, it feels like I’ve seen why this place has such high turn over. On the other hand I wanna think I’m perseverant, and make I haven’t given it enough of a chance. But I’ve never had a job where I don’t want to come to work before. Or had it start to mess with my mental health like this. They’re a small restaurant like it’s three people including myself. So I’d feel bad quitting with no notice tomorrow. But on the flip, I feel like I can’t work my shift tomorrow.
What would you do in this situation? Do I owe them the decency of notice?