Long time lurker, first time poster, only because I feel this story belongs in here.
So, a week ago I was “hired” as a Busser at a local restaurant. I interviewed with the manager/owner, and he seemed like a nice enough guy. Told me the pay was $12.80 plus tips. Started last night.
I get there and they didn't even have me in their computer system, first red flag, they had over a week to do so. They told me to just write my name on a piece of paper and write my “In” and “Out” times. I start working and the manager approaches me after literally 10 minutes of me standing there having servers explain things to me as they work. He demands to know my name and why I'm just standing around not working. Before I can answer he sees the busser who is supposed to be training me and yells at her to come over and give me some direction. He then grabs my arm and pulls me to the prep station to show me how to prep soups, sides, etc.
He then starts tossing around the plastic soup bowls, some making it to the counter the others falling to the floor, but he doesn't seem to care. The dishwasher had just cleaned them and now he's standing there watching several bowls fall to the floor. I felt bad so I picked some up for him and gave them to him. The manager tells me to “pay attention I will only show you this once!” Honestly, the job is pretty simple and easy to get after probably a couple shifts but this guy is such a micromanager that he'd make you nervous just tying your shoes.
Restaurant isn't too busy so I'm walking the floor trying to find something to do. The manager, who is working behind the bar (this is a sushi bar and Japanese restaurant btw) then screams my name and demands to know why I haven't picked up a cup. I look at him confused and look around. He then yells “cup! cup!” and points at a table full of customers. How embarrassing for me, the customers and honestly for him too. By now I knew I'm not coming back for day 2. A tip for any teenagers who are just starting out working: Any manager/owner who belittles his/her employee in front of customers is NEVER worth working for.
The night continues and I watch him yell again at the other busser, yell at the host and then go back to the kitchen and angrily kick a garbage can in front of a cook and dishwasher. After 5 hours my shift is done. I ask the host when I can pick up my tips. She says, “no tips for trainees” This wasn't mentioned at all in the interview. Then I ask her when I am scheduled again. She talks to the manager, and she says he'll call and let you know.
Was this a trial run? Again, this wasn't made clear to me in the interview either. If I had known about this and the no tips, I wouldn't have taken the job. I have a full time 40 hour a week job, so I don't need some guy on a power trip yelling at me and acting like a fake tough guy for a lousy min wage salary. The turnover rate at this place must be sky high! Now the real question is will I even see a paycheck when it's due in a couple weeks. Stay tuned.