Been working in the service industry for about sixteen years. In terms of restaurant work; you name it I've done it. Food Runner, Host, Barback, Expo, Prep, Dishwash, Flattop, Frier, Garde through all years under my belt. Since the pandemic I settled on dishwashing. This past Saturday the place I currently work was slammed. It was busier than New Years, which was crazy.
My dishwash partner, J, is problematic. In that she's constantly showing up late, leaves unannounced, is prone to sever asthma attacks, yet is always smoking weed, and she SITS on a milk crate playing games on her phone. All the while I practically sprint by her. She never takes dishes back to the server's area. Matter of fact she never leaves the pit unless it's to go talk to her boyfriend (who calls every five fucking minutes).
This has been happening for months. Well this last Saturday really took the cake. She came in wheezing, and did not do anything but lean over shaking her head. She got asked to leave, she refused. They let it slide. She kept leaving for 15+ minutes. They let it slide. She did not help, an ambulance showed, she kept leaving still and returning, they let it slide.
I handled service like a quiet behemoth, fuck her if she doesn't want to do the effort. But I'm still sore, I am still seething but it's the only job I have. To add to this I am a parent to a son who is still a toddler. I really don't know how I can continue working for this shit. For that behavior to go completely ignored, kind of speaks volumes how you really value me. Not at all.
They say they love me, that they appreciate the work I do. I just think that's latin for “we don't want to hire someone else”.