If you want to know why restaurants can't keep help, this is why.

[Anonymous]

DD is in grad school nearby and works as a server at a restaurant. She requested today off, not because it is Halloween, but because she had oral surgery scheduled for this morning. The time off was approved by her manager, who is also the restaurant owner. She put the request in about 2 months ago, too. I was her driver home after surgery and while we were in the waiting room, the manager was texting that she needed DD to work today. This was not a question, either, like, can you work today? No, the text said: I need you to work 2-7. Lan called out. DD replied that she was about to go in for her procedure and wouldn't be able to work. Her manager responded that it would be considered a 'no call, no show' and she would be reprimanded.

I asked DD what kind of reprimand it would be and she said usually it meant written up and then given terrible shifts for a few weeks and the worst side jobs or no shifts at all for a few weeks so you couldn't make any money.

I've never worked as a server or in a restaurant at all, but DD, who started doing it as a freshman in college, told me that was pretty typical. Now it makes me wonder if the reason why I see such high turnover of servers at some of my favorite places is because of terrible management.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is in grad school nearby and works as a server at a restaurant. She requested today off, not because it is Halloween, but because she had oral surgery scheduled for this morning. The time off was approved by her manager, who is also the restaurant owner. She put the request in about 2 months ago, too. I was her driver home after surgery and while we were in the waiting room, the manager was texting that she needed DD to work today. This was not a question, either, like, can you work today? No, the text said: I need you to work 2-7. Lan called out. DD replied that she was about to go in for her procedure and wouldn't be able to work. Her manager responded that it would be considered a 'no call, no show' and she would be reprimanded.

I asked DD what kind of reprimand it would be and she said usually it meant written up and then given terrible shifts for a few weeks and the worst side jobs or no shifts at all for a few weeks so you couldn't make any money.

I've never worked as a server or in a restaurant at all, but DD, who started doing it as a freshman in college, told me that was pretty typical. Now it makes me wonder if the reason why I see such high turnover of servers at some of my favorite places is because of terrible management.

Record the classic song "Take this job and shove it" and play it on owners phone message recording.
Quit with no notice minutes after she is scheduled to work.

[Anonymous]

I'd resign after that treatment.

Signed,
Someone who worked in too many toxic workplaces

[Anonymous]

Quit!

[Anonymous]

She should quit. But I would not do it right before a shift because she may need a reference

If they are in a college town, he might think servers are a dime a dozen, but he should treat people with decency

And your daughter might learn the highest paying job may not be the best job

[Anonymous]

Yes it's because of terrible management. My daughter works at a high end restaurant where nobody is treated like that and therefore they do not have high turnover. In fact it's a bit tough to even get a job there.

[Anonymous]

This may be one of the many reasons, but definitely not the most common reason right now.
I have worked in restaurants since 1998 and the reason people leave, has changed greatly.
Used to be that they left because of bad treatment by mostly small business owner. Right now they leave because they think grass is greener elsewhere. They know that almost every place is hiring.They also have an option to work for themselves as a delivery person something that wasn't common before.
There is zero reason to put up with anything they don't like and they don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is in grad school nearby and works as a server at a restaurant. She requested today off, not because it is Halloween, but because she had oral surgery scheduled for this morning. The time off was approved by her manager, who is also the restaurant owner. She put the request in about 2 months ago, too. I was her driver home after surgery and while we were in the waiting room, the manager was texting that she needed DD to work today. This was not a question, either, like, can you work today? No, the text said: I need you to work 2-7. Lan called out. DD replied that she was about to go in for her procedure and wouldn't be able to work. Her manager responded that it would be considered a 'no call, no show' and she would be reprimanded.

I asked DD what kind of reprimand it would be and she said usually it meant written up and then given terrible shifts for a few weeks and the worst side jobs or no shifts at all for a few weeks so you couldn't make any money.

I've never worked as a server or in a restaurant at all, but DD, who started doing it as a freshman in college, told me that was pretty typical. Now it makes me wonder if the reason why I see such high turnover of servers at some of my favorite places is because of terrible management.

My blood is boiling after reading that! Tell her to find a new job & then quit this one

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes it's because of terrible management. My daughter works at a high end restaurant where nobody is treated like that and therefore they do not have high turnover. In fact it's a bit tough to even get a job there.

My son has worked at chick-fil-a for four years and never treated like that. so, terrible management and terrible customers are the reasons restaurant jobs can have lots of turnover.

[Anonymous]

This is just a badly run restaurant. Not all restaurants are like this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is in grad school nearby and works as a server at a restaurant. She requested today off, not because it is Halloween, but because she had oral surgery scheduled for this morning. The time off was approved by her manager, who is also the restaurant owner. She put the request in about 2 months ago, too. I was her driver home after surgery and while we were in the waiting room, the manager was texting that she needed DD to work today. This was not a question, either, like, can you work today? No, the text said: I need you to work 2-7. Lan called out. DD replied that she was about to go in for her procedure and wouldn't be able to work. Her manager responded that it would be considered a 'no call, no show' and she would be reprimanded.

I asked DD what kind of reprimand it would be and she said usually it meant written up and then given terrible shifts for a few weeks and the worst side jobs or no shifts at all for a few weeks so you couldn't make any money.

I've never worked as a server or in a restaurant at all, but DD, who started doing it as a freshman in college, told me that was pretty typical. Now it makes me wonder if the reason why I see such high turnover of servers at some of my favorite places is because of terrible management.

I’m so sorry this happened to your DD. It was dishonest given she followed procedures and disrespectful of her health needs.
Sadly, this is becoming the standard in many fields, including professions like nursing and teaching.

[Anonymous]

Management probably pays no attention to the history, the request that went in and was approved months ago. They react in the moment. Everyone's attention span is so short. Probably didn't even notice the word "procedure." A good lesson, a good habit, is for your DD to forward the previous language used. I mean .. she did all the right things, but always look for ways to document everything and ways to throw it back in their face

Aanager is a compete jerk. And I do hope she can quit.

[Anonymous]

How is this applicable to all restaurants?

[Anonymous]

Time to quit! I worked at four different restaurants during high school and college (some that didn't even have the most competent management) and this never happened to me. They honored all my requests. If they effed up the schedule or someone who was scheduled no-showed, it was management's problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is just a badly run restaurant. Not all restaurants are like this

This! The manager sucks, I'd look for somewhere else to work.