This is a job at a casual dining establishment. My colleague is driving me nuts but there seems to be no recourse for it. UK btw
Let’s call my colleague Sarah. Sarah is a salaried worker while most of the others are zero contract but she’s technically not above us in any way, just acts like it. Here are some of the things she’s done just recently:
-Left me by myself during the lunch rush while another colleague was on a break to manage FOH to go on a half hour smoke break. I was literally having to run from the pass to take out food to diners, back to the till, and making coffees at the same time, with a massive queue. She comes back for ten minutes then disappears somewhere again once the other colleague is back. Smoke breaks aren’t a part of her contract
-Leaves 15-20 min early every day but reported me for arriving 5 minutes late
-Reported me for not saying good morning to her happily enough
-Eats off of customers plates BEFORE they go out
-Signs off on things she didn’t actually do on the task sheet, but told others to do
She’s very two faced, and gossips with everyone about everyone else. And is very friendly with the manager and constantly reporting back to them. Everyone is waiting for her to leave the entire shift since she only ever opens, yet she expects everything to always be perfect when she comes in when there’s 10x more things to do on a close than when she opens as we are often busy until the very last minute
Honestly, she is making me dread coming into work, but the spot I’m stuck in at the moment for uni has very few students jobs and I desperately need the money. Is there anything I can do or am I just fucked?
Having worked in the industry for 8 years i can give you advice that works but is not recommended.
First, stand your ground, tell her to go fuck herself. Its very aggressive and may get you on some kind of shit list.
Second, follow her example. When she goes to smoke, go with her. You dont have to smoke. If you can, leave with her.
Third, tell customers whose food has been eaten that “it has been eaten by 'employee”’ and that youre making a replacement, heres a contact card to management to file a complaint"
If she starts commanding you as a manager, tell her shes has no authority and to do it herself, then follow her cuz shes likely gonna go take a break.
Cause problems
If “Go fuck yourself” is not your style or otherwise inadvisable, then another option is to start with “You will not call me that. You will call me by my name. Thank you.” Say this as calmly and evenly as you can. Keep saying it. Don’t let her rattle you into straying from this.
If she insists, then pick a name to call her and insist on it no matter how much she objects. I doubt I need to suggest such a name, but rather I trust you to engage your creativity.
Even so, I don’t have any objection to “go fuck yourself” if you think that wouldn’t put your job in jeopardy.
Good luck. Peace.
Say it for hours if that’s what it takes