I have recently started a new role within hospitality (waiter in hotel/restaurant) along with 20 other new recruits most of whom are in their late teens. I am in my mid 50s. I enjoy my job and the people I work with but am confused/frustrated by the legislation and rights of employees in this sector.
This recruitment drive came on the back of a re-opening after the recent lockdown due to the covid pandemic. We have all signed zero hour contracts and we were informed that this would be reviewed after 4 months and potentially given permanent contracts based on performance. It has subsequently been announced that the business is closing down for 4-6 months at some point during the winter for extensive refurbishment (so we are assuming those of us on zero hour contracts will be let go rather than be given permanent contracts).
Although I am only working between 30-40 hours per week at my own request (due to young children and wife's work commitments) I am constantly being challenged to work more unsociable hours to fit in with the remainder of the workforce but I am constantly pushing back.
Most of my colleagues are asked to work an 11 hour shift (Midday - 11pm) followed by a 6.30am start the following day. Others have on occasions worked 11 consecutive days without a rest day. Many have left within the first 2 months since re-opening and the vast majority of the remaining staff are tired, disillusioned and unmotivated. As a result their general attitude and performance has dipped but the general management don't seem to be reacting to the unrest or don't want to listen to the feedback they are receiving.
I am a proud father and a hard worker by nature so I along with a handful of other professional minded individuals seem to be ploughing a lone furrow while the rest of the workforce becomes more disengaged by the day.
Surely, a few positive moves by the management team to stem the current demise in workforce disenchantment is required to arrest the situation.
Potential improvements are to provide a fortnightly rota where employees can plan their lives better and the business can plan manpower more efficiently (we currently provide a fortnightly availability list but this only manifests into a muddled and short notice weekly rota).
Also, with a little more application and care a rota can be drawn up to ensure people do get the necessary time off between shifts and adequate rest days per week.
And lastly a little more general understanding and respect for the workforce would go a long way to improving team morale, work ethic and attitudes.
Thanks for taking the time to read my experiences. Would be good to hear/listen to others with similar experiences and understand what works well for your business and what needs improving. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.