I work in casual fine dining in a busy tourist area. I typically try to avoid doubles because they are 12-14 hours long. The most I’ve been able to clock out for those is thirty minutes between lunch and dinner. I really wanted to make money today because I’m going home for the weekend and won’t be able to work, so when working lunch my manager gave me the option for one last table or a chance for thirty minutes to leave the building and I chose to keep the table.
When lunch is done, I have lunch sidework and then dinner sidewalk and we get to sit down briefly for food. I didn’t eat enough today and had coffee, which contributed to my eventual crash. I decided to stay for dinner shift (doubles sometimes get the option to leave, but I needed money). I also reasoned that they will cut me first because I’m the only double so I knew it would still be long, but not exponentially.
Dinner hits and it’s the busy season, we’re all getting pounded, but for me it’s not letting up because I’m not getting cut. I hit my ADHD wall where focus is just not where it was in any shape or form, but we’re still rolling and my tables are happy and I’m helping with clearing and running food constantly. The managers are clearing a few of my tables bc I’m busy (and that’s their job to help). Whenever I have any time, I realize literally everyone’s been cut before me and I’m last after the closers. I’m not sure why they would choose to keep me on that long, but I’m not complaining to them because I don’t do that and because I made good money.
When I get done, the shift managers want to talk to me because my service was not as detailed as it could’ve been and I missed some timing (they had to help more than usual). I tell them I take full responsibility, but I’ve hit a wall of course because I’ve been in the same building for thirteen hours and I’m like yeah, maybe it would’ve been better if I had some adderall because I was mentally crashing, I thought I would’ve been first cut. Anyways, they are giving me a smaller section next time so that I can “focus”. Like I’m not plenty focused when I’m not working thirteen hours. Our restaurant has several managers and this one is always on me in particular. She has been the only one initiating these types of things towards me.
I honestly was really upset and cried to my husband a lot when I got home. The managers expect a lot and I honestly don’t know how we’re supposed to never turn down hands to help clear tables and run food, but not ask them first. They want us to come to them for help, but not too much. We have to manage turntimes, which I do very well. I feel like I do everything they want and it will never be enough. And now I’m just mad. I’m mad that it is very illegal for me to be on the clock for thirteen hours without a break. But THEN that they would get mad at ME for being a little out of focus in the circumstance and punish me for it. It just felt cruel!
The other great part is that they come to me because I accept feedback very well and am respectful, so the other servers (mainly senior servers) that get weeded on a constant basis or are generally sloppy or just don’t give a shit.. nothing happens for them!
Anyways, I am in talks with a company I used to work for and will probably only work there part time soon.. we can only hope.