UGH! I need a new job. I am SO angry!

fiery

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UGH! I am absolutely FURIOUS right now!

I'm a hostess at a pretty well-known restaurant; I was told when I first started that, if I worked hard and asked for a raise one month after I started, I'd get a raise and then three months in, I'd be made into a server.

Well, here I am, six months in, and still a hostess; I've come in with a smile on my face every single day and night, never complained, worked harder than I have in my life, helped out wherever I could, bussed table after table after table even though we don't get tipped out for doing so (that's the server's job), then asked for a raise three times spread over a couple of months, and nope, nada. I've been told by my managers three times that they would discuss my raise at the next meeting, only to find out that it "didn't come up".

...Gee, thanks.

So then yesterday, I offered to close for a fellow co-worker, who was getting screwed into closing because the other four hostesses (myself included) had worked the morning as well as the night shift, so they were weaseling out of there early (even though that's not how it's supposed to work). She told me no, that she was okay with closing because she'd just gotten a raise and needed the money.

...

I've worked DOUBLE the months that she has, have a better attitude, can perform all of the hostess roles at my restaurant (she's not quite at that level yet--comes with experience), AND she's leaving to move back to Hawaii in two months.. and the managers know that she's leaving! And gave HER a raise the first time she asked for it!

At that point I was simply mad at the jerk faced General Manager and was planning on having a civil discussion with him the next chance I got. But then, a new hostess of three weeks piped in, asking how much I made. I told her, and, without thinking, she blurts out, "Even I make more than you do!"

I lost it. I burst into tears and ducked into the bathroom so that I wouldn't have black mascara tears streaming down my face in front of the twenty or so guests we still had on our wait list.

I have poured my entire heart into this stupid restaurant, taken great pride in my work and faithfully checked the bathrooms and cleaned up after guests, and I have stupid DREAMS about being made into a server..

...And they're paying this new girl who is extremely indifferent to the job, doesn't try very hard, lingers around the host stand complaining about whether or not her jerk boyfriend likes her or not, who won't bus tables because it's beneath her, more than me? Really?!

So then BOTH of them followed me into the bathroom, trying to make it better.. leaving the host stand unattended. Guess what? I'M the one who got berated by a manager when I finally managed to stagger out of the stupid bathroom. If the situation had been reversed, hey, I would have stayed out there and done my job. Why? Because I know what I'm DOING.

I couldn't keep it together to run board after that, my eyes kept leaking; the more experienced girl tried to take over when I went and furiously cleaned tables to keep from sobbing out my frustration, but ultimately a manager had to do it because she can't do it.

And all the while as the manager was doing MY job, the one that I was excelling at, the job that I can do but the other two could not, I kept thinking "And you're paying THEM more than me?"

Don't get me wrong, I really like my co-workers; they perform their jobs adequately. I just feel like I've been slapped in the face with a metal glove. I try SO HARD to please everyone, I LOVE my job and it's obvious that I do, and just.. I can't believe it.

I told one of my managers that I was going to put in my two weeks that night, and he immediately pulled me into the office, heard me out, and now, gasp, I FINALLY have a raise, am making about the same if not slightly more than the other hosts, and they're going to make me a backwaiter (which means more money).

The only other host who has more experience than me is about to be made into a server, so I'd be the head hostess, not to mention, three of the other experienced girls who actually know what they're doing are quitting this month.

I'm still considering leaving; it shouldn't take one of their best hostesses threatening to quit for them to take action. I'd find another job first, but I can't believe it.. I'm just.. ugh. Not thrilled.
 

sneakymom

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Originally Posted by Fiery

UGH! I am absolutely FURIOUS right now!

I'm a hostess at a pretty well-known restaurant; I was told when I first started that, if I worked hard and asked for a raise one month after I started, I'd get a raise and then three months in, I'd be made into a server.

Well, here I am, six months in, and still a hostess; I've come in with a smile on my face every single day and night, never complained, worked harder than I have in my life, helped out wherever I could, bussed table after table after table even though we don't get tipped out for doing so (that's the server's job), then asked for a raise three times spread over a couple of months, and nope, nada. I've been told by my managers three times that they would discuss my raise at the next meeting, only to find out that it "didn't come up".

...Gee, thanks.

So then yesterday, I offered to close for a fellow co-worker, who was getting screwed into closing because the other four hostesses (myself included) had worked the morning as well as the night shift, so they were weaseling out of there early (even though that's not how it's supposed to work). She told me no, that she was okay with closing because she'd just gotten a raise and needed the money.

...

I've worked DOUBLE the months that she has, have a better attitude, can perform all of the hostess roles at my restaurant (she's not quite at that level yet--comes with experience), AND she's leaving to move back to Hawaii in two months.. and the managers know that she's leaving! And gave HER a raise the first time she asked for it!

At that point I was simply mad at the jerk faced General Manager and was planning on having a civil discussion with him the next chance I got. But then, a new hostess of three weeks piped in, asking how much I made. I told her, and, without thinking, she blurts out, "Even I make more than you do!"

I lost it. I burst into tears and ducked into the bathroom so that I wouldn't have black mascara tears streaming down my face in front of the twenty or so guests we still had on our wait list.

I have poured my entire heart into this stupid restaurant, taken great pride in my work and faithfully checked the bathrooms and cleaned up after guests, and I have stupid DREAMS about being made into a server..

...And they're paying this new girl who is extremely indifferent to the job, doesn't try very hard, lingers around the host stand complaining about whether or not her jerk boyfriend likes her or not, who won't bus tables because it's beneath her, more than me? Really?!

So then BOTH of them followed me into the bathroom, trying to make it better.. leaving the host stand unattended. Guess what? I'M the one who got berated by a manager when I finally managed to stagger out of the stupid bathroom. If the situation had been reversed, hey, I would have stayed out there and done my job. Why? Because I know what I'm DOING.

I couldn't keep it together to run board after that, my eyes kept leaking; the more experienced girl tried to take over when I went and furiously cleaned tables to keep from sobbing out my frustration, but ultimately a manager had to do it because she can't do it.

And all the while as the manager was doing MY job, the one that I was excelling at, the job that I can do but the other two could not, I kept thinking "And you're paying THEM more than me?"

Don't get me wrong, I really like my co-workers; they perform their jobs adequately. I just feel like I've been slapped in the face with a metal glove. I try SO HARD to please everyone, I LOVE my job and it's obvious that I do, and just.. I can't believe it.

I told one of my managers that I was going to put in my two weeks that night, and he immediately pulled me into the office, heard me out, and now, gasp, I FINALLY have a raise, am making about the same if not slightly more than the other hosts, and they're going to make me a backwaiter (which means more money).

The only other host who has more experience than me is about to be made into a server, so I'd be the head hostess, not to mention, three of the other experienced girls who actually know what they're doing are quitting this month.

I'm still considering leaving; it shouldn't take one of their best hostesses threatening to quit for them to take action. I'd find another job first, but I can't believe it.. I'm just.. ugh. Not thrilled.
Crummy jobs. Gotta love 'em huh?

I'd be ready to quit too.

I feel for you. I'm kind of in the same position.

Cheryl
 

anjhest

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Oh man, I hate to hear that! I understand how you feel, though. I know you still feel frustrated and feel like leaving, but the bottom line is that you did get the raise (even though you basically had to quit to get it). So try to stick it out at least in the short term and prove why you were worth the raise. Who knows, it could mean more later!

And in the meanwhile, keep your ears perked and your eyes open for other opportunities. Keep looking for other jobs. Just keep the one you have and they'll be a great reference later.
 

larussa

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At first I was thinking that it was cuz of the economy that you didn't get the raise but then you said the other girl got one....well that just stinks and I would think about quitting also. The only thing is nowadays it's tough to find a job so you may be stuck.
 

fwan

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erg i hate the system you have over there!
i work in a cafe on the weekends and we all get paid equally!
if this is your ambition work hard at it, if they don't respect you in the next 6 months then move on to somewhere else.
mostly if you notice a place that has a high turn over its because the bosses aren't good to staff!
 

februa

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Originally Posted by Fiery

I'm still considering leaving; it shouldn't take one of their best hostesses threatening to quit for them to take action. I'd find another job first, but I can't believe it.. I'm just.. ugh. Not thrilled.
A good hostess will not have a problem finding another job, and your reference is not in danger; indeed management (last minute, when given an ultimatum) made an effort to get you to stay. FIND ANOTHER JOB NOW. I know you love your job, you will love the same job elsewhere too. This one, does not respect you, and now knows that you can be &^*$ed around hardcore, and then barely appeased at the last minute. I dont get the feeling that management has been apologetic and shocked and stunned at their mistake: this indicates a deliberate lack of respect, not an accidental one. You should be respected and valued as an employee, and treated fairly for a given job - and this is not going to magically start happening now. Id go talk to your boss, say you've had some time to think about it and have realized that a raise as an afterthought prompted by a threat to quit doesnt make up for the way you were treated. Say you want to be part of a team that makes you feel like a valuable member, especially given the skill of your contribution, and that this one has made you feel the opposite. Believe me - there are lots of those teams out there looking for someone like you (as what you describe in your co-workers is sadly the norm).
Thank you for being a competent hostess - those people can ruin my whole dining experience so a good one is always deserving of thanks
 

esrgirl

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I spent about five years as a server and one as a hostess.. it honestly sounds like they are trying to get you to quit. Have they tried any of the other tactics, such as cutting back your hours or giving you so many as to be excessive? Switched your schedule around? I don't know why, but it always seemed that every restaurant I've been at (granted only three- two the same brand/different cities!) the managers have focused on one or two people to act passive aggressively towards. This sounds like that sort of M.O. People come and go in the restaurant business, so I doubt that leaving that restaurant to find a new one would reflect negatively on you at all.
 

calico2222

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I feel for you honey, and I'm SO glad you got the raise, but I know it's frustrating.

One thing I learned working in a restaurant for 9 years, then retail for 4 years...if they find someone that is good at their job, they most likely won't move them up UNLESS the employee causes a fuss...which you did! I'm proud of you! Kudos!

Basically, it is based on the fact that you do your job well. Why would they want to move you out of that position unless you FIRMLY request it? You can be firm in a nice way and just say "this is what I was promised, and it hasn't happened that way. Why not?" From your OP, it sounds like you were asking about your raise rather than going to a server position and that "could" have been about the economy (although I probably would have broken down the manager's door if I found out other hostesses were being paid more than me!)

The thing is, you said a few times in your post that you loved your job. You like the people you work with. You got the raise...finally. That is more than a lot of people can say about their job.

Now, just keep on them and let them now what you want to do. Heck, tell them they need to hire a new hostess and you can train her so you can be trained to be a server. That puts the ball in their court. I'm sure they have PLENTY of applications for hostesses, or anyone just looking for a job. Let them know what you want to do, and you won't settle for another 6 month delay. You'll be surprised....I don't think they want to lose you anytime soon.
 

tara g

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My younger brother is pretty much in the same situation as you. He works at a grocery store, and has for going on 4 years now. About 2 years ago he got moved up from cashier to one of the office employees. In the last 4 years, he's gotten 1 small raise (basically only to keep up with minimum wage in NC). He makes less than what new hire cashiers are making. When they hire new office employees, he is making $5/hr LESS than they are, yet he's been with the store for 4 years longer than they have. He's mentioned it before but nothing has happened. Now he finds out his supervisor is trying to get rid of him - one of the reasons he hasn't gotten a raise. She also wrote him up for money missing from the safe three months earlier ... there was only 3 people with access to it, and his supervisor was one of them (and she did not write up the other employee who had access, saying it WAS my brother, even if there was no proof). He now feels she is sabotaging him. She's talking bad about him to his former boss, who now works at a different store. His former boss let him know what she said.

The most retarded thing? They used to get along great. They would go race their cars together on Thursday nights at the drag strip. The timing is horrible - as soon as my brother's car started winning against her, she started talking bad about him and writing him up for things that could have been someone else as well.

He loves his job and a good bit of his co-workers, but is trying to get a position with his former boss at her new store ASAP. She had offered one previously, with a raise and all that, but it was before his current supervisor was being a giant
and thought that he would benefit by staying where he was at.

I would definitely be searching for another job. Restaurants need good hostesses, and you certainly should be able to find one much more appreciative of you than your current employer. You're right, it shouldn't take threatening to quit to get a raise.

I threatened to quit my job once too when they said I would be stuck in the crappy position I was hired in (which I was using as a starting point and they knew it). After 7 different internal jobs applications, my old group leader told me the company wouldn't waste their time on me because I didn't have a science degree (although I plan on pursuing one once our new budget is figured out). I stormed up to HR and told them if it was true, I was leaving. They had already told me when I was hired a year before that, that I would be able to move into a lab position, regardless of whether or not I have a degree yet. The next time that I applied, I got a new position. My new group leader says he wishes he had accepted me sooner, and hasn't had anything bad to say, and even "promoted" me to a position where I rely on just myself to get the work done.
 

whisky'sdad

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I worked at a retail hardware store for about 6 months before leaving. I started with good hours, then they started to dwindle. When they stabilizied at 4 hours a week (Yes, 4 hours!) I talked to the manager about it. They didn't think I was working hard enough, so I started working harder and they upped it to 9 hours a week (Oh boy!
)

That's when I decided if they didn't want to give me the hours I needed, I'll give them less work. So, basically, I just walked around the store, made like I was fronting product, didn't stock much, etc. I'm surprised they didn't fire me! Finally, a position had opened up in Garden and I begged them for it. We sat and talked about it and I mentioned to them that I had another job, so I couldn't work more than 15 hours/week for the first 2 weeks as I had another job that I had to give notice to. What do they do? They give me 30 hours the first week. As soon as I saw that, I walked out of the store and never went back as an employee.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I copy what people are saying here. If you want to get another job, secure it first before quitting.
 
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