Hi guys, asking for advice here. I'm not sure if this is country specific, so would love to hear from restaurant workers in other countries.
I'm in mid senior position at a fine dining restaurant and have been absolutely fucked by my current contract that is as vague as they come. This has allowed our boss to create insane schedules that require 12-14 hours of work back to back 5 days a week (lunch and dinner service performed by the same crew, often with less than 10 hr break between the closing and opening shift). Recently the business is down so they've also trimmed the team down quite a bit, so I'm physically working for 2 FOH positions. On top of that we are now occasionally required to come for a Sunday service if there's an event or a buyout, etc. This is not compensated extra and no AL is offered. Just the same “times are tough, we can legally run you on 6 days a week schedule” BS in response.
Anyway. I decided enough is enough since I'm also seriously underpaid for my qualifications, so I started looking around. A few promising new openings in town, so I get the offers… Same bullshit.
No one even wants to consider signing a 50hr / 5 days a week contract. It's unlimited hours only and work days based on business needs.
I feel like a lunatic trying to push back. How is this normal across the industry? Wtf is going on?
I'm just exhausted. Hopeless. And sad.