It's been a while since I've been on,but I'm feeling a tad frustrated today.Seven months ago,I had emergency surgery and had to temporarily take a less-strenuous job because I can't do normal "restaurant hours" for at least another year because I need another surgery and long recovery time afterwards.
This is the first time in 20 years that I had to take a job based on benefits and hours versus what I could acheive from a culinary standpoint....and I loathe every day I have to show up there.Yes,it pays the bills and the bennies are unheard of in this industry,but I wasn't expecting having to sacrifice my pride because of it....or lower my standards to "get along".
I won't even mention the company [huge organic grocery store also in Canada and the UK],but I was one of three chefs hired to try and overhaul the kitchen and get everyone on the same page and it has been one of the most ridiculous/frustrating experiences I have EVER had.There are so many touchy-feely rules and regulations and we are not allowed to crack down on employees who are problematic,lazy or just plain worthless.We get NO support from the top of the food chain,even when it comes to sanitation and food safety issues [I used to be a customer until I saw what happens back there.I'll never touch any food from the company in any country!]...the lunatics are running the asylum and it seems that no one really gives a **** about it.
The majority of the staff has never even set foot in a kitchen before,so you can imagine what kind of free-for-all bad habits they have picked up,even more so because these yahoos have been without any guidance or supervision for over two years.The person who is above all three of us hired has a degree in PHILOSOPHY,for Christ's sake and has never even run a kitchen before,so you can imagine why we're pulling our hair out.
What kills me is the three of us are talked about behind our backs [even by management] because God forbid we use actual kitchen terminology and act as professionals should in a kitchen [we don't chit-chat or take part in the goofing-off,which is encouraged,beleive it or not!]]....but when the people you are "in charge" of are walking-talking stereotypes of Jerry Springer/Maury Povich guests,it's like banging your head against a wall all day.Ask someone to take out trash or clean up after themselves and you've got someone acting like we asked for their first born...it's pathetic.More so because we can't even fire them;****,we can't even write them up!
We can't figure out WHY we were hired in the first place if our hands are tied as they are....makes no sense at all.We're all looking elsewhere,regardless of the amazing bennies and perks.
All I have to do is choke down another 6 to 8 months,get my body back in normal working condition [colostomy bags are NOT pleasant] and run like ****....but it never ceases to amaze me how much laziness,irresponsibility and lack of accountability there is in this industry,and how the select few who do give a s**t are outnumbered by the majority who could care less and have no personal conviction or pride.:(
This is the first time in 20 years that I had to take a job based on benefits and hours versus what I could acheive from a culinary standpoint....and I loathe every day I have to show up there.Yes,it pays the bills and the bennies are unheard of in this industry,but I wasn't expecting having to sacrifice my pride because of it....or lower my standards to "get along".
I won't even mention the company [huge organic grocery store also in Canada and the UK],but I was one of three chefs hired to try and overhaul the kitchen and get everyone on the same page and it has been one of the most ridiculous/frustrating experiences I have EVER had.There are so many touchy-feely rules and regulations and we are not allowed to crack down on employees who are problematic,lazy or just plain worthless.We get NO support from the top of the food chain,even when it comes to sanitation and food safety issues [I used to be a customer until I saw what happens back there.I'll never touch any food from the company in any country!]...the lunatics are running the asylum and it seems that no one really gives a **** about it.
The majority of the staff has never even set foot in a kitchen before,so you can imagine what kind of free-for-all bad habits they have picked up,even more so because these yahoos have been without any guidance or supervision for over two years.The person who is above all three of us hired has a degree in PHILOSOPHY,for Christ's sake and has never even run a kitchen before,so you can imagine why we're pulling our hair out.
What kills me is the three of us are talked about behind our backs [even by management] because God forbid we use actual kitchen terminology and act as professionals should in a kitchen [we don't chit-chat or take part in the goofing-off,which is encouraged,beleive it or not!]]....but when the people you are "in charge" of are walking-talking stereotypes of Jerry Springer/Maury Povich guests,it's like banging your head against a wall all day.Ask someone to take out trash or clean up after themselves and you've got someone acting like we asked for their first born...it's pathetic.More so because we can't even fire them;****,we can't even write them up!
We can't figure out WHY we were hired in the first place if our hands are tied as they are....makes no sense at all.We're all looking elsewhere,regardless of the amazing bennies and perks.
All I have to do is choke down another 6 to 8 months,get my body back in normal working condition [colostomy bags are NOT pleasant] and run like ****....but it never ceases to amaze me how much laziness,irresponsibility and lack of accountability there is in this industry,and how the select few who do give a s**t are outnumbered by the majority who could care less and have no personal conviction or pride.:(
"Sometimes people can be oh so dense"
The Pixies
The Pixies
, I feel for ya. I've had to order special stuff from them at a Kansas location and well...... let's just say it a good thing I shave my head.:rolleyes: Trouble is it's the whole friggen industry you're in. About the only one that has it all together is the Wegman's chain and they even have their issues. But oh the stories I could tell from my time with Publix.:eek: Maybe someday I'll try and remember some of them. It's a funny thing the way memory lapses help to protect your sanity in some cases.;) Just remember that, like a kidney stone, in time even this will pass! Trouble is it will be just as painful until it does.
