Temporary_User

First off im 21.
I work at a restaurant in town here; I've been working here for 1 1/2 months. They normally hire females that are considered 10's. They do have a few male servers aswell. I knew this going into the interview. A female friend of mine works there aswell, I got the job through her.
On the interview I told them that I understood that I had no serving experience so I was willing to do anything to get my foot in the door. They then put me as an exporditor(sp).
One guy I work with started just after me and was told the same thing. Also all of the current male servers here did my job before moving up.
I just recently mentioned to my boss that I was still looking to become a server and was wondering if he would put some thought about when I could get into training. I was told he would talk to me sometime next week. I was also told that when I become a server I would still do my expoditor job aswell about 50/50.
This I'm fine with, my job is a good one, the only reason I would want to be a server is because its more money.

Recently however, I found out they hired a new guy to start serving here. He's 18 just old enough to be a server. (Im in Canada , 18 is the drinking age). He is starting on tuesday. (I looked at the schedule)
Now I'm pissed off! so is the other guy I work with.
I'm wondering why I am getting screwed around here while this guy gets jet started right to server. I am by no means a model looking guy, but either is this new guy, so looks arent the reason.

Im posting this to get some feedback on what others think I should do. I know that I could leave and get a new job tommorow, but I do enjoy this job and the people I work with.
When I found out this guy is going to be starting I wanted to walk off the job. I'm thinking I should wait until I talk with my boss sometime this week to see where things are going, but I still would be 50/50 with my current pos. while this new guy gets full time server.

Please help! any feedback is greatly appreciated!

NoSoup

Well, to be honest, although I would prefer working with a company that promotes from within, sometimes it is necessary to go outside the company for a variety of reasons. Additionally, you have only been there 1 1/2 months, so I don't think that you had such an amount of seniority saved up that it weighs in your favor...

Possible reasons he got the job over the two of you? Perhaps he's the owners nephew, or maybe (more likely) he has some type of experience that makes him more qualified than yourself and your co-worker.

Even if that isn't the case, it could come down to something as simple as the fact that it is much easier to fill a server position than it is to fill your position.

Either way, I'd recommend at least speaking with your boss to see what the reason(s) you didn't get the promotion were, and providing they were tolerable, do your best to improve whatever is necessary so that you'll get the next server spot...

Good Luck!

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cookmo

NoSoup hit the nail right on the head-he gets a cookie!!

It's much easier to find a mediocre server, than a good expeditor(sp). I've been in the restaraunt business way to long, both as a cook and a server. The thing about working in the kitchen end is once they get you there, they will never let you go back out on the floor and serve. It sucks, but every place I worked in has been like that. If you can get another job, go do it.
Keep out the kitchen, or you get sucked in and screwed.

thingstodo

Yeah, just discuss the situation with your boss. Let him know that you don't undrstand. Do all you can to keep emotion out of it and only discuss facts.

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maleficent

I'm really not seeing this situation as when a new person gets hired at a higher salary than the existing people...everyone cuts their own deal when they get hired...

I would try to deal with it in as a professional way as possible... Ask for a meeting with your boss. Where you can sit down away from the restaurant floor. Present the facts. You have been asking to move up to be a waiter, and a new person has been hired. I would ask if youhad been clear in your goal. Then the next question I would ask, what do you have to do to move up.

based on that answer... then make your decision as to where to go next...

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ratbastid

Yeah, mal nailed it. As someone who has been responsible for the hiring and firing in a small business (not related to food service, but the principle is the same), you don't actually think thoughts like "Oh, well, that guy's making X, and this guy's worth more than him, so I'll give him Y." I know it looks that way from the employee's point of view, but each employee makes their own deal with the company, and there isn't any relative evaluation or worth assessment going on.

You should talk to your boss. Don't complain about the new guy, just hold him to what he said about talking about your server training next week.

Are you at least bagging hot waitresses out of the deal?

CaliLivChick

This new guy may also have been interviewing for a server position before or at the same time as you were interviewing for your expediter position.

He may have other restaurant experience, or may have been a waiter at a place that didn't serve alcohol (I was a waitress at AA meetings on weekend mornings when I was 17... no alcohol, so I could serve, but I was also a busser and dishwasher at that restaurant at all other times when alcohol was being served). As others have said here, be a grown-up, and talk to your boss. Don't be petty, be mature. It will serve you well. =)

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Bill O'Rights

We think a lot alike, you and I.

Sometimes...it's not so much about the salary...as it is the fringe benefits.

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"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony

"Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus

It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

Temporary_User

Thanks for the replies everyone.
I agree, it probably is harder to fill my position then it is server. That is probably the reason they have guys start there and work their way up.
I had a chance to talk with the new guy, for a bit so I asked him if he had any previous restaurant exp. He was a prep cook and a host before. I also have been a dishwasher and prep cook before.

Also as a server the wage is actually lower then what I am recieving, but with tips you make quite a bit more.

When I first got the job, they gave me a binder that shows all the food/drinks and the ingrediants so you can learn them all. Within this binder it tells about a the company policies and other things about the company.
In one section it states:
"we don't hire on experience. instead, we train caring people to be incredible servers."
I know this is ultimately untrue. . .

I should also point out that since I've started working quite a few new servers have started (female). I was fine with this. some of them had previous experience, some didnt.

P.S. Im not "bagging" any of my co-workers yet. However, I am making some good friends, and that is the reason I am enjoying the job.

thingstodo

Smart guy. It's always a good policy not to shit where you eat or sleep where you work! Wink, wink.

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If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

ratbastid

Oh, dude... You're forgetting the rest of the rule.

The complete manlaw goes: "Don't dip your pen in company ink... unless she's really smoking hot."

Rodney

Beat me to it. Never break that rule -- unless she's REALLY WORTH IT!

3Z3VH

There's also the rule that applies in this case:

If you get it, take it. The opportunity for another job on this level is WAY easier to come by than a 10 who wants in your jeans.

That is the sort of job you can quit without a second thought if things go sour from the hot sexing.

rockogre

I've worked for the same company for 29 years. Our company manual has dozens of funny senteneces that are no where near true. It's a sad fact, but get used to that in your future employments. We also have a Vison statement and a Mission statement and both look like they came from the Dilbert mission statement generator. Hope you do well.

And that pen in the company ink thing, very, very dangerous sometimes! Doesn't matter if you are the pen, or the inkwell.

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Bill O'Rights

Why, Rock...I had no idea! (Not that there's anything wrong with that)

__________________
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony

"Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus

It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

rockogre

That's the thing about getting to this age. Experience is a wonderful teacher!

Not that I am admitting to a damn thing!

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Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American G. I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom

Temporary_User

Ok I got the point to not sleep with one of my co-workers. . . unless she is REALLY hot.
any advice on what to do with my job though?
an update for you all: since my co-worker who I work directly with found out about this new male hiring, he has gave his 2 week notice.

here it is wednesday and my boss still hasnt came to me for our talk. Should I contact him and ask him again about it? Is he that busy that he might of forgot? I almost feel disrespected if he doesnt come to me.


Tips are the main thing I'm going for, at our restaurant the servers have to "tip out" to the bar & kitchen a % of every bill. I just recently found out that even the hostesses get a portion of this. So it is me and the people who set tables who don't get a share. I really don't understand this. would I be out of place to question this with my boss?

cookmo

Imo your boss is disrespecting you by not talking with you.

Look, your getting screwed. You should be getting a tip out. Think about it this way, your the last person who see's the food before it reaches the table. If it looks like shit, the server is not going to get good a tip, then your the ass. But if it looks great, the server gets a good tip, and you get .....Nothing. Your not making what the servers are making, or the cooks, not even the hostesse's when you figure in their hourly, and tip out.

If the bottom line for you is money, go some where else. Especially if management is crappy.

If I sound harsh, I am sorry....just a jaded old waitress/cook, and I know had bad managers can be.

Good luck!!

ratbastid

Okay, the main thing here is not to take this personally. It's a business transaction. If it's not mutually advantageous, it shouldn't continue.

YES go talk to your boss. Assume he's too busy, because coming to him with the assumption that he's dissing you will be counterproductive. Who knows what the truth is, and who cares. Lay out all your concerns.

Now, the business about who gets tipped out... That's part of the business. Don't expect to change that. But if what you want is to be out on the floor, don't settle for less than that. And if he can't do that, you should consider whether you want to be working there. Restaurant jobs are a dime a dozen. At the same time, do NOT make idle threats you're not prepared to follow through on.

Dilbert1234567

When I washed dishes, I was reminded on several occasions that there were 50 high school seniors that think 7.50 an hour is good money waiting to take my job... it was very depressing, I ended up quitting after 2 months, and bugging computer services at my college until they game a job. i think the best thing my boss said to me was "your not bleeding that bad, get back to work" i quit shortly after.

and about the sleeping with co workers, Bad idea, but sleeping with co workers friends is a good idea, invite some co workers over, for drinks and movies, do it a couple of times, then see if they have any friends that want to come too, depending on how well you know the co worker, try to make it clear female friends to date, but don’t sound creepy

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