If you could change one thing about working in this industry, what would it be? I think I'd choose actual benefits at this point in my life, as it's really hard to afford medical care on a line cook salary. Curious what’s at the top of your list, especially from folks who’ve been in it for a while.
https://www.foodandwine.com/how-the-restaurant-industry-needs-to-change-11708625
For me, it’s sustainable scheduling, no one can thrive working six doubles in a row.
Hours, stress, lack of support when people don’t show up, lack of benefits. The list goes on, but I also can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s a tough industry that doesn’t always have to be this hard. I do try to make changes where I can here.
I've got decent health insurance through work. Would love it if we offered a good 401k match too. If I could change anything, it'd probably be the hours. I don't do anything on the days I work because I'm at the restaurant from 3 to 11 most nights. Doesn't leave much time for anything.
In my position now you get benefits, thankfully but I do think benefits across the board would be top of my list. This industry is difficult with brutal hours and minimal PTO. I think having good benefits would prevent quick turnover and keep good employees.
Chief
I would want to change the long hours and having to work when everyone else is resting on the weekends or holidays. It’s hard to coordinate time with family and friends when you’re always working when they aren’t.
For me it is the fact that we are literally always short-staffed. I just feel in general there is a lot of turnover in our industry so it can be hard to remain fully staffed. No matter how hard I try, we are always short-staffed and I know it is frustrating for the other employees.
Anything with a good schedule, and I'd take even a small percentage raise over having to eat cheap carnival nachos for a "free company lunch"