Should Restaurant Servers Make Higher Hourly Wages
Is there anyone who really believes restaurant servers shouldn't receive higher hourly wages?
In many states, these workers are making much less than minimum wage, and you have to wonder how they can even make ends meet with such low pay. Of course, you will say, they get tips. Isn't that enough to bring them up to a reasonable take home pay?
The answer is probably not, unless they are working at an upscale restaurant. Don't forget, too, that most servers do not have a schedule where they are working a full-time week. Some may only work two or three days per week, which cuts down tremendously on their chance to make tips to supplement their regular wages. In cases like this, servers may have to work two or even three different jobs to be able to bring enough money home to pay their bills.
However, anyone who has ever worked as a server knows that low wages isn't the only problem with working in restaurants.
Other problems include bad managers, managers who harass servers or who come onto female servers. Imagine having to run yourself ragged helping demanding customers, while also having to outrun a lecherous boss.
Also, restaurant servers are hardly finished when their place of business closes or when their shift is supposedly over. They have mountains of "side work" to do, which can keep them there for quite awhile longer as they must fill up things like salt and pepper, and other condiments, and do various other chores to get the restaurant in shape for the next shift.
I haven't even mentioned the fact that amost restaurant servers are on their feet for several hours each shift, many having little or no time for breaks.
Another problem is dealing with rude or inconsiderate people, something that most servers face on a regular basis. From the viewpoint of management, the customer is always right. However, ask any server how they feel about it and they will tell you on no uncertain terms that they often deal with absolute jerks who are not only wrong but who should be kicked out of the restaurant.
Then there are the customers who think nothing of walking out without paying, or as the police call it, performing a "meal skip." Many restaurants have a policy that states the server is responsible for the tab for any of these meals, even though it is in no way the server's fault.
Servers also have to put up with drunk and unruly customers, sometimes without the help of management or bouncers. They may even be in physical danger when a customer is out of control because of drink or drugs.
And people who don't feel that it is their problem that servers are not compensated properly and who don't leave tips or leave tips that are inadequate make the job even more miserable.
So, the next time you go to a restaurant, please notice how hard your server and other servers are working to provide you with a pleasant dining experience. Maybe you can't do anything to change their hourly rate, but you can at least leave them a decent tip for the good service they have provided you.
