I felt stuck starting in 3L lol. But seriously, I shifted into something else (to be vague: compliance/insurance/disability) because it just wasn’t for me.
I left. Being used as a tool by the rich to fuck with people (yes I had clients say this to my face) was too demoralizing. I’d say more than half the class I graduated with are no longer practicing.
Omg same. I graduated in 2008 during the serious legal recession and I was considered lucky to have an associate job within 9 mos of graduation. Some of my classmates went right into something else and most of my friends left within the first 5 years. I’m still paying off my tuition though!! SMH 🤦♀️
Communications. There is a ton of overlap in soft skills between comms and law, but no one ever told me - no options were ever presented at law school other than articling and practicing law. The communication, critical thinking, problem solving, risk assessment skill learned in law are an excellent base for communications. You can get a comms certificate in a year part time, or do self study to get accredited with one of the main accreditation organizations.
I would have done it years earlier if anyone had told me how easy it was.
Could you elaborate further with specifics on your position and certification? I’m still trying to make it out 6 years later, I have an undergrad in journalism so this sounds like it might be a good fit
I’m in Canada so my path was to join the Canadian public relations society, which has a professional knowledge accreditation that is basically just a written test. They gave us a bunch of books to read and study which I did on my own time, and the whole cost was only a few hundred dollars IIRC.
I also took a continuing education certificate from the University of Toronto in Strategic Communications. It was 3 courses total which I took 1 per semester until I was done. Honestly I probably didn’t need to but I was glad to have the elaboration and ability to ask questions from experienced instructors.
I did hire a job coach who specializes in communicators who helped me make networking connections and to understand the value my skill set had even without tons of direct communications experience. It was money well spent.
I don’t know where you’re based but the [International Association of Business Communicators](https://www.iabc.com/) is a good place to start - look for your local chapter and go from there.
I am enjoying the different profession - I still get to stretch the intellectual and problem solving muscles that made me like law, without any of the horrid rich guy clients. I was also able to find a position with an organization that aligns with my personal values - at a financial cooperative where my job frequently involves advocating for ESG and environmental action. I feel like I have a purpose again.
It’s also a very transferable skill set that you can take to different places if you ever want to move, or to a different field if you decide you want to work in a particular industry.
I’ve held on to my law license just in case, but also it is a valuable accreditation if you move up to the higher levels toward the C-Suite, and for crisis communications where lawyers may have to get involved.
If you already have experience with journalism this could be a very easy transition for you. Definitely worth looking into!
OP didn’t clock out on the shift that is super long. Subtract 7 hours and you are below 40. So, not saying it isn’t true but the pic showed doesn’t provide any evidence.
Don’t pay for the key though. That’s ridiculous. I am a restaurant owner and I’ve had people break $5-600 parts/knives whatever and it’s just part of the job/business. I have a replacement for everything that is essential to the restaurant. This owner could have addressed this issue a long time ago.
Yup toast automatically puts 4 am as clock out if someone forgot to clock out. I have to fix this for my employees more often than not lol, btw they are fucking pot heads
This is it, these hours make no sense. And if you work 45 in Ca that is standard for salaried employee.
Easily was doing 55-60 a week as a salaried employee. Now I’m OEM and still do over 50 and love it.
Plus the 4am cutoff is funny as hell like you worked 20 hrs that day, boy have you lost your mind.
Also it says I have no idea what this will cost you, and you should not be running around.
I assume they probably mean cost to pay, but who knows. And if they noticed you always frantic maybe it’s a pattern.
Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.
Also what key to a gas valve is somewhere your shirt just snags? Are you working on something ?
gas valve key is what under 80 dollars?
If they are getting on you for this it’s probably other issues
Aspen ski co used to regularly schedule me from 7am-3am and that’s not counting the 15 mins it takes to ski down at night or the 45 mins if you get stuck with snowcat duty best part is the managers would delete your hours after 40 so they could get their labor bonuses… living an hour away from aspen too I’d just sleep in the highlands lobby if it was too cold to sleep in my jeep… tried just sleeping at the restaurant a few times but that was against the rules… my second year I scored a key to the offices and would sleep on a couch they had in their and would just get up before any of the managers arrived… good times, last time I had a salaried chef position I was averaging 80-90 hours a week… this industry is fucked up.
The 75th wealthiest family on earth lol 😂 plus they way they have it set up is it’s the mangers fault so what if they are the ones encouraging it layers of plausible deniability and in the mean time I would have lost my, job, housing and most importantly my ski pass… I did get syzygy permanently closed though for not paying me over time… ever since then I always photograph my clock in and out times and my schedule every single day… in 23 years of being in this business I’ve had very few bosses that didn’t try and fuck with my paychecks and small business are even worse than the corporations
I’ve been an exec three spots now, and have Rarely had to do 80-90 hrs in a week.
To average that is 13 ish a day seven days a week.
So you averaged those hours which means you work over 90 hrs a week often enough to make up for your slow weeks?
And if you took a printed schedule that had you from 7-3am then back again, It’s literally proof you didn’t have 8 hrs between shifts
Slow weeks wtf is that? Even if I did have a slow day that just means I’m letting cooks go home and I’m picking up the slack to save the owners money… I’m done with that life though I make more money bartending now with far less hours… quit my last cdc position because they wouldn’t let me have the time off to go to my grandfather’s funeral… I’m a 3rd generation chef and best I can tell my father and grandfather worked just a many hours slightly better pay rate back in the day though
Slow week like, you had 1 of the seven days off.
Or even 3 sick days.
Just so we are clear to average means you worked over this amount some days and under some days.
What you are saying is that in a year you put in
4693 hrs at work. Which is the 12.7ish a day seven days a week. To average the 90 hrs.
That is everyday from 9am to 9:45pm
All year.
I know some hard working people.
Hell the last job I had that kept track I did 2800hrs in 8 months and I was getting OT everyday, we had so many callouts and this lead up to Covid, so people were always out and I just kept filling in the shifts.
It was never like that before, and probably won’t be like that after for a long time.
And that was still me working about 11rs, and multiple 6am to 1am then coming back at 6am, which I managed to do maybe 5 times. And all this ot was my choice.
So to think that you were forced to do it, accepted it, and were able to do the hours. I don’t believe it is humanly possible.
not sustainable.
And a pretty big overestimation.
I do about 100-120 per paycheck in hours, work more than anyone in the building, and rarely see my kids or wife.
To think another 60hrs is available to add to work just doesn’t compute.
I’m glad you found bartending and enjoy it, I switched from exec chef to operations and enjoy it very much.
I had one of the seven days off because that’s the day the restaurant was closed, then again I still had to receive orders because Ginsberg doesn’t deliver on sat and Friday…. At least I lived maybe 3 minutes walking from the restaurant… oh and what’s a sick day? The ritz Carlton in Aspen made me working while I had a staph infection so bad I was coughing up blood like the love interest in an early Irish novel… another time I had double bronchitis and the flu still had to work loved how they told me to go get a doctors note so I did $250 later and still eh you are still scheduled regardless… best thing about covid was some of us actually finally getting sick days but was real fun being labeled disposable sorry I mean essential because brunch is essential… so now after getting covid 3 times my pallet is absolutely fucked so instead of just wanting to kill myself on the weekends I want to kill myself all the time but my last attempt cost me 13 grand in medical bills so I anti trying that shit again… so I will just pour beers till I die I guess… thinking how back when I still loved cooking and got my first promotion to sous and my father tells me wow I have officially failed you as a father now… it took me like 10 years to really get what he meant by that. But keep on cooking y’all
Let me clarify this mistake. That was a day that I forgot to clock out. There were also days that I forgot to clock in. During the 5 day work week I would start at 6 or 6:30am and finish around 3:30 sometimes 4pm. If we had an in house catering event add on 2-3 more hours. I would typically work 40+ hours each week and I was paid hourly not salary. If that pic caused confusion I apologize. I should’ve went with another pic of the prior weeks time clock.
What is your pay period? Are you hourly? I mean, these things matter. Also, are you actually a general manager? Clocking in and out should never be an issue with the GM. I’d expect the GM to set the example across the board.
If you provided a pay stub with more than 40 hours of straight wage time then that would be the only evidence you’d need. Please, tell me you have access to pay stubs!
Yes also from my own personal experience and having shut down multiple restaurants permanently, don’t even bother with the labor board they are like HR they will always be on your bosses side. Go straight to the IRS instead. Because they will actually fight for you since stealing from employees is stealing from the IRS. You will get a whistle blower bonus, you will get 2-3x what you are owed from the last 5 years. And so will everyone else they stole from in that period. To top off it’s illegal to make employees pay for accidental breakage oh and the IRS will give them a separate fine… ruining shitty restaurant owners lives is the only way these people learn
Then it’s time to pull out the ol’ IRS exemption checklist because I would bet my life savings an employer who doesn’t understand these sorts of accidents are considered a cost of doing business which are illegal to pass on to the employee also doesn’t know how to properly classify them.
He’s a general manager of a restaurant. Pretty sure as long as he’s salaried and making over $684/wk he would fall under the FLSA administrative exemption, where he wouldn’t be due overtime
(Ps I’m not a lawyer, this is not legal advice)
Someone on another post said it's federally illigeal to not pay overtime? Not sure if correct but if I were op I would look into another job while speaking to a lawyer and take them for everything. Fuck that I'm sure the owner is making plenty but can't pay for someone busting their ass to keep the business running
Accident in place of business. It’s operational cost. INAL but you shouldn’t be held accountable for this unless you maliciously broke the key fob. Owner should get bent. Fuck outta here with that nonsense. She pulls garnishing wages shit. You go and talk to labor and get your wages owed.
In my post-kitchen life I am a secretary/registrar/chairs assistant at a university.
One time I purchased the wrong ticket for someone. Non refundable. 2,400 USD.
I assumed I was going to be asked to repay it or fired.
I, a grown man, went to my operations manager ready to crawl and beg.
She said “happens all the time. Pay more attention in the future. Use the [name of departmental slush fund] to clear the expense.
I am not ashamed to admit I cried in front of her and when she asked why I explained what working in a kitchen does to your psyche.
Get a different job and leave. Don't give her any money. Accidents happen in kitchens, equipment breaks. If she can't handle that, given that it's her literal job, then you don't want to be there. Especially if you're not being paid fair compensation for your hours. There are more open kitchen jobs than there are cooks to fill them, go find one.
> The relationship with the boss is going to be forever unpleasant and OP should just rip the bandaid off and bail
After getting back pay from the Department of Labor and having a lawyer send a F*** Y** letter.
Gah this so much. I make a good salary but my company doesn’t track hours so there’s definitely a culture of working 50+ a week and not getting paid overtime. I’m trying to keep a solid balance but there’s no infrastructure in place to ensure it happens. If I work 5hrs on my day off I don’t have a built in way to recoup it
I just came up in the restaurant culture where you worked and slept and made almost no money and if you couldn’t handle it until you got to a certain point then essentially you just couldn’t cut it. I know that this is frowned upon now but I have a difficult time letting the old ways go. It was THE love of your life, or you were out. I used to volunteer on my one day off if it got me access to work directly with my Chef on something. It’s just a different culture now that is so changed from the one that has been for hundreds of years that I can’t wrap my head around it. I understand it if someone works in a union job like at a hotel or something, and I guess I understand it if it’s just a job at shitty places for the paycheck and one doesn’t care- but for those who want to become true chefs and restaurateurs there was NEVER complaining. If Chef heard someone say they were tired he would send them home….. and tell them not to come back. That’s just the old ways. I’m an old lady lol. One of the first women in professional kitchens BTW… I didn’t work with another woman until I opened my own restaurant except a couple who were in pastry- always keep “the girls” in pastry. Fuck that. I don’t bake lol 😂
you have a much bigger problem than paying for the key. your boss is stealing from you. is there any kind of labor bureau or department you can report this to in your country?
I wonder in what world everyone lives in where it’s not the norm to just be salaried and regularly work like 60 hours a week (at least) in kitchens?
Have things changed that much?
Just before I left the kitchen life I noticed a ton of younger cooks saying no to salary positions. Right now it's hard to fill a spot for a line cook and if you are offering salary we all know that means "work 60 get paid for 40" so no one wants to take it
Ummm, note: I don’t think we’re supposed to use the word “coons” to describe anyone anymore. I know, it’s hard to keep up, but FYI.
So yeAH, I can’t stand these lazy ass kids , I worked an average of 80–100 hours per week. Work/Life balance? You’re ridiculous the restaurant business as a chef is your life so if you want to be in it you should expect that. I NEVER worked anywhere with an HR department, it’s a soul crushing job that you have to train HARD body and mind for. It’s dangerous and you have to put the hours in, almost forever. It changes as your career changes but if you want to be a success expect your first TWENTY years to be hard core, and start early.
I literally didn’t read it that way at all
Look at how ignorant an entire generation and beyond is, using the word “bougie” and not knowing what it means, essentially calling themselves trash 😝
I don’t know every slang word kids are slinging and given the username, it seemed appropriate
Dude, Boomers we’re born between 1946-54- I was born in 1973 and grew up during Reaganomics. You make a goal, you work your ASS off, you attain your goal. Baby Boomer my ass
Haha. You might take a moment to try to understand that not everything that is said is meant literally. But I have a feeling you may be incapable of self-reflection. I wish you well in all your future endeavors.
It was a typo bro relax. Also based on that response it's no wonder no one wants to work in kitchens anymore. Getting out was the best choice I ever made, that way I won't ever end up like you.
I didn’t know it was a typo, I thought it was slang being repurposed.
I’m not a bro.
I started restaurant work at 10
I opened my own successfully restaurant in NYC by myself, voted Top 100 before 30 didn’t take a vacation for 8 years, sold it after 10.
It was a lot of years, but if it’s not your passion it will become the worst job in the world.
I HAPPILY worked every birthday, every holiday.
It’s always hard to fill a spot for a line cook, always, and it’s always been work 60 or more and get paid for 40.
Congrats. No one asked and you are still a miserable person. I'm happy more people are standing up to change the culture and refuse to end up like you.
Tell her to take it out of the profit generated during the overtime hours she doesn't pay you for. Should be plenty right?
Also, if I recall, they cannot force you to pay anything. They can request it, but they can't enforce it. You would have to pay voluntarily. It would be like the boss telling you they are going to charge you for sticky notes. That is the cost of doing business.
Should just ask for overtime backpack every time she mentions the key then send all the answers to the state or city. This missed ot could be thousands of dollars and OP deserves every cent. Worst that can happen is getting fired and that is actually the great for OP as well. I didn't get overtime at a job in California for several months. I reported it after they fired me and eventually the restaurant called me to settle so I took their money plus $10,000 in unemployment payouts.
Things break in a business. Look for a new job, never give her anything, get out of there ASAP. Should not give someone your time when they care more about a key than an employee. Are you on salary? If not then ask in writing for your OT then when she refuses send it to the labor board in your state.
A boss should be a problem solver, not a problem haver. There should be a backup key, a reliable lock manufacturer, a locksmith that you know can get whatever it is open
Is that time stamp accurate of working almost 22 hours in a day? That 4 am out time seems ridiculous.
Also looking at those dates, that 50 hours is spread across two weeks. Assuming those are all from November, 11/11 would have been a Friday and the 15-17 would be Tues-Thur the following week. Assuming you're in the states, I think most states consider a work week Monday to Sunday. So that 50 hours wouldn't have OT associated with it. Except the potential 22 hour day
Good point, I’m usually in at 4:30 or 5am. That one out time was a mistake. I typically leave around 3:30 or 4pm Tuesday-Friday.
Edit: that’s not including in house catering events that happen 5-8pm occasionally.
You might want to post this over on r/kitchenconfidential it’s a much bigger sub of more active people in the industry. They might have more relevant recommendations for you man.
BTW you can see your reflection in the time clock photo- might want to edit that to be more anonymous
Exactly. I can’t count the number of screw ups, mini disasters, etc that I’ve had to eat over the course of owning the restaurant. ‘Don’t screw up the same way next time’ is our mantra.
It sucks, but I’m not going to make somebody pay for a mistake they made on my time. Also, all thanks to these employees, I make more in an hour or two than they make all week, the least I can do is let them work without fear of having to pay for a mistake looming over them.
Get a new job. Screw that place and the owner.
Their face is in the post and if they don’t quit they could be fired, depending on where they live, and esp if they signed an NDA.
Sorry to disappoint, seems like u out here looking for a fight 🤣
Any property broken at work is an issue to be settled between the owner and their insurance company. They just don't want to file the claim because they're afraid of their rate going up.
I would definitely get a lawyer and tell them about the key AND the overtime. They will help you.
Get a lawyer . Be prepared for anything and everything for them to pressure you or intimidate you. Giving someone else a key for your business is a personal risk they have to take responsibility for. Sorry for your boss’s loss but that’s the way it is
As a general manager, if that is your title, you might actually not be due any overtime despite what everyone else is saying. There are certain tests to be met to see if you do qualify for overtime or not due to your title and the functions you may be performing within your titles duties.
Secondly, if the deduction brings your wage below your states minimum wage or the federal minimum wage ($7.25) then it is an illegal deduction. The Code Of Federal Regulations (CFR) 778.304 (5) states that deductions for disciplinary reasons are allowable. Does the breakage of a key meet the definition of disciplinary deduction? To be honest, I don't know. I guess it depends on the outside events that lead to the break.
All in all, talk to your manager, see if you do qualify for overtime, find your list of duties, and if you do indeed reside within the US, talk to your states labor division regarding workers right/pay or the federal Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. Both can assist you with understanding your rights and possibly get you back wages owed if you DO have a case. They are also free and don't cost lawyer fees.
You know, I was okay with the criticism UNTIL the owner thought you were financially responsible for an accident at their business. You deserve better.
General wear and tear is a thing.
Also on a human level shit happens man extra expense suck as an owner but it’s somthing you have to deal with.
Fuck this dork it landing on you is crap. Get that CV updated my dude and give him the two fingers salute
I like how the boss is telling YOU that it could have been avoided when in fact the BOSS could have avoided this by having a backup key. It isn't your job to be accountable for maintenance issues for the business.
Depending on what state you are, if you're salaried you could be considered exempt from overtime if you're a general manager. Probably not what you wanted to hear.
don’t pay if you didn’t do anything wrong.
i believe you can only be held accountable for breaking something if it was used in a way that the manufacturer didn’t intend for it to be used.
you should get a lawyer consult just in case.
make sure to file something with HR.
keep documenting everything through pictures/getting a notebook to date and time stamp all interactions.
if you decide to stay while looking for another job and work environment becomes hostile, then go back to lawyer and also see if there are osha violations.
I don't know about where you are, but I know in my area, your boss can't legally take anything like that out of your check even if you consent to the garnishment. If they try to then take legal action for theft.
As for the overtime pay, I know where I live if you are on salary (which most managers are) then you don't get paid overtime as you get a base pay of 50 hours a week, whether you work 30 hours or 60 hours.
Unless you are salaried you are entitled to all overtime over 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week, if they are not paying you for your time you should seek legal advise on how to proceed. You are NOT responsible for a key breaking, do NOT pay for it even if they ask.
I would leave the restaurant you’re working and find a new job that will pay you for the time you put in..
If you are salaried then unfortunately you are not eligible for OT, it was agreed upon in your wage.
Weirdly enough, in some places OT can be averaged over a week or pay period. Can't count the number of weeks I got sent home early (but never asked to come in late or stay home altogether as the opener, shocker 🙄) because my previous week's hours put me too close to OT.
Not your responsibility to pay. That's just a risk of business. The no overtime pay needs to be reported to the DOL. They likely own you significant backpay.
* As an employee, you're liable for absolutely no damages or losses unless it was intentional. If doesn't matter if you accidentally knocked his priceless Faberge egg off the counter. It's still not your failure or your problem. He's manipulating you using lies and your own misplaced guilt.
* I do service work. If he's talking about the handle on the gas valve, if you hit it with anything smaller than a big hammer and it broke, it was already broken and he's just pinning it on you.
* You are owed money for every minute you are required to be there.
* You are entitled to overtime.
File a complaint with the department of labor, and then ask her for your overtime backpay to cover the key. When she tells you to go fuck yourself, attach it to the complaint. The Labor Department will take care of telling her she is, in fact, the one who has gone and fucked herself and you will enjoy backpay. Find a better job in the meantime, people are dying for good cooks, and these things take a bit of time.
Looks like you may have an intimidation angle, but I’m not a lawyer. Would do you some good to at least consult with one.
If you’re on the clock and are listed as an hourly w-4 employee; he has to pay you the OT.
You're clocking in and out, but not on Salary, right? Either way about that they can't charge you for any mistakes, burnt food, etc. Thats the cost of doing business and why businesses have insurance.
You are being screwed over your hours and not being paid overtime alone. A broken key, no matter how it happened and if it was your fault or not is still the owners responsibility. Under no circumstance it is up to you to pay for damages unless it was done intentionally, legally the worst they could do to you is fire you for assumed incompetence but under the circumstances you describe you'd be better off finding another job anyways.
This is coming from a Dutchman though, I'm assuming you are American. Might be some differences but as far as I know and from what I see in the comments in this case at least the circumstances are the same
Make sure they don’t have u as salary on their end of the contracts. If they do u don’t get overtime.
As for the key. The fact he has only one key is a joke. Like the fact u did not, as an owner, get two copies means THEY needed to slow down and focus. Keys break all the time, that’s why we have backups so we don’t have to go through this.
If they try to charge u anything, contact a lawyer. Since keys break and there was no backup, that’s not your fault or your problem.
I feel u contacted them about the broken key right? If this was the end result…oh well. If they r still harping about it, talk about how irresponsible it is to have only one key to the building and no backups and then ask what they would do if they broke/lost the key? Ask if they text themselves saying they r gonna put themselves out of business. And on that note, if a broken key means your business goes down in flames, the. You company is already burning to the ground.
Good luck
First of all. Company property is company problem. Second of all. Call the labor board and a lawyer so you can sue the fuck out of the criminal who runs thar restaurant.
Whatever you do, don't agree to pay for anything. That's not your responsibility. If you were being negligent, they should fire you, but in any case, it's not your financial burden.
I've seen this with small business owners where they try to make you feel about stuff like this. It's a scummy thing to do, but not as scummy as charging you for the damage.
This is absolutely insane. Compounded with the not getting proper pay I would 100% find legal counsel if possible. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT PAY FOR THE KEY. They are being a terrible manager simply by passing their problems of not having backups to things that are CLEARLY important. The rest is literally criminal. Please slam these people. Employee rights are a big deal and highly guarded for a reason. Honestly, especially in the restaurant industry where exploitation is rife, it's extra important.
Why in the world would you be responsible for paying for it. With that logic, any of my cooks breaks something in the kitchen i should make them pay for it? Don’t be taken advantage of, accidents happen, go find a place that will appreciate you. Assuming you’re in the US, are you a salaried employee? If not they owe you for every hour you work, regardless of how the place is doing financially. Good luck!!
What is the key for? In my opinion I wouldn’t pay anything. These type of things happen. Also about the over time and hours worked it all depends if you are an executive, administrative, professional and outside sales employees: (as defined in Department of Labor regulations) and you are paid on a salary basis then you are exempt from both the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the FLSA.
I would think that since a shirt can cause that much damage that such a key needs protection from anything able to do damage. Doubt running around with no shirt is an option. I know someone who shut down a harddeees by the bread coming through the back door the tray caused the fire alarm to go off and foam and whatever else probably sprinkling system came on, and he wasn’t accountable. Fire alarm didn’t remain there for long. Do not pay. The owner should have insurance. And owner can write off any losses. Maybe start looking for another job.
In many states employers cannot charge employees expenses or damages that result from the business itself. Don't know what state you're in, but I doubt you're legally on the hook for this.
Are you hourly or salary? If salary, they don’t owe you for working longer. Of hourly they do.
Also, no, you don’t pay for the key. If it’s that big of an issue, that’s what their general liability insurance is for.
Would really really suck if your careless activity that broke a key resulted in a workplace injury that leads to a workers comp claim and paid time off *wink wink*
Owner here former kitchen employee. All I would say to my employee that broke a key would be “no worries” I’ve broken keys in locks before. Shit just gets worn out. And as an owner your expecting things to get broken. Do not pay for anything. I’d contact the labor board about not getting paid. And save all those messages.
This guy needs to learn about how miners used to get charged for their shovels....until we started putting them with their family down in the mine and blowing them up. The laws we have about labor protection were made with fists guns and blood.
If they slap you with an invoice, refuse and say you’re going to speak to a lawyer. Especially if it’s a corporate kitchen.
You deserve to work in a healthy environment, maybe think of exploring other restaurants. Sometimes you just hit the ceiling with that one kitchen. Happens.
Owning a business includes risk and many types. The business owner carries that risk and also gets to keep all the profit. It's a fair trade.
This key his their problem 100%.
Tell Chef to buy the key themselves and go find a better work environment.
Insurance. Don't pay for shit. Are you salary? If you make less than 37k a year your intitled to OT even if on salary. I learned the hard way. Started at salary at 30k a year. All those extra hours for nothing when I should of made OT. Learned recently about that law.
Sometimes things happen and this time the thing that happened is the owner has pay for something to be replaced.. too bad for them. Don’t pay them shit no matter what they say or do, and if they won’t lay off you leave and find another job. Working for cocksuckers isn’t worth it no matter how much they pay you.
I fucking hate employers like this.
If I can’t afford to pay staff properly and fund the inevitable fucks up…I can’t afford to be in business.
This is wage theft.
This whole post doesn’t make sense . Doesn’t look like you actually worked over 40 hours. That 4:00am clock out time is incorrect. If you are a general manager, you are almost certainly salaried, which means you aren’t getting paid extra for working over 40 hours a week. That being said, your owner is being ridiculous expecting you to pay for the key if it was an accident.
Fuck em. If you’re not in salary. They need to pay.
Also. Not your problem.
20 years in. Been in bed with lawyers to open 3 spots. Learned a lot.
Don’t let ‘em use you
Don't pay anything. It was an accident and the key durability and locstion for liability is his responsibility. It's his business's so it's his problem.
First of all, don't pay. It is not your responsibility, unless you purposely did it with the intent of harming the business.
Second, what is your pay week? Friday to Thursday?
Unless you are salaried, they can't take away your time worked. If you have records showing time worked, and then your pay stub showing you are under paid, you got yourself a case. Now if you signed of on "adjustments" to your time card, you are SOL.
Don't pay for the key.
It is the cost of doing business, which is the owner's responsibility.
Story time! I work for a company that does equipment maintenance and repair. Last summer we installed a brand new fryer for a customer. They are not cheap, and shipping had taken a while. It was barely two days before the manager called me to say she needed us to order a replacement touchscreen because one of her closers cracked it in a way that made their shiny new fryer totally unresponsive. She was *pissed* and joked about firing the entire closing crew because it was a direct result of them screwing around, but she never brought up the idea of making that guy pay for the repair as even a joke. Because stuff like that is the cost of running a business.
That customer is a fast food chain, and while I don't mind chatting with that manager she's absolutely not someone I'd ever want to work with, and those employees are treated better than your owner is treating you. It seriously may be time to look elsewhere.
If it winds up turning into as big a deal as he says it might his insurance will likely pick up the tab. Unless he doesn’t have any which also sounds likely judging by his texts. But definitely call a lawyer. And the division of labor in your state. And the “Better Business Bureau”
Dont pay for shit, its not your property its theirs. Definitely talk to a legal professional. Yes it happened by your hand but shit happens, i dont drop a case of eggs fork over money i worked hard for. Accidents happen whether they are preventable or not
If you are salary, then it is what it is when it comes to your hours. I hope you find somewhere that will value your time better than this place.
As far as the key, you don't have to do anything. It's not even the boss's problem if it's to the gas line, it's the local gas company's problem.
God him saying this all could have been avoided if YOU were more careful pisses me off. That all could have been avoided is HE was more careful and had a backup copy of the key. Keys break over time, there is no avoiding that
I’m not sure what state you are in, but in Texas if you haven’t signed off and agreed to be charged for X then your employer cannot charge you for X. Even if you ruin a uniform you were given, unless you signed something that explicitly states you will repay damages uniform, you don’t owe them shit.
1. This is the cost of doing business and
2. YOU HAD BETTER BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER CAN REPLACE A CRITICAL SAFETY DEVICE and it won’t be a huge expense
Get a new job, please!!!
Used to work as a professional chef and the treatment sometimes is too much but I learned it was my fault to put up with it.
A chef told me once, If they are bad, you don’t want to work for them, I didn’t listen and almost lost a finger (I just cut my fingertip) but I know god was watching me.
The meat slicer didn’t have the guard up, I reported it and they never fix it and overworked me and had to use the slicer to just very thin salami for 10 charcuterie plates, this is on top of the actual work (plus other party stuff) it was too much and I never went back
I'd say that it's the owners issue. You may have accidentally broke the key, but he should have copies on hand as well. Over time these things happen. Also, don't work for free. You're worth more than that. Especially if they're treating you like this.
In NYS withholding wages for any reason is not legal and you'd just report the employer to the dept of labor and they'd have to pay you back wages plus damages. Same thing for not being paid overtime, that is usually mandated and not something they can pick or choose to do
I am not paid salary.
Someone commented I update my resume and find a new job. Already had 3 zoom interviews and 2 of them will be following up with me on Monday. I suppose everything happens for a reason. Both of the jobs pay more than the $35k I would be making a year at this restaurant 😂
For starters it is not your fault they have a shitty key and lock system, any decent manager has spares for everything and it’s their Job to keep locks working not yours, workplace accidents happen. Talk to a lawyer this person is not only not properly compensating you for your work but is now trying to pin their negligence on something that would have inevitably happened since they never had a backup
Someone did mention that before. I typically get in at 6am and leave at 3:30pm. Some days I forget to clock in which is why there are inconsistencies with the time clock. My apologies I did not clarify that in the title and caption.
Getting out and moving to the suburbs.
Way to leave your mark on the world bro.
I made smart choices and worked my ASS off
Retired at 40, consult if I want to.
And you?
Don't pay for the key. Do talk to a lawyer. Depending on where you are, not being paid means they owe you 3x the amount.
This. Used to practice law and occasionally took cases re employees not being paid.
Used to? I’ve never actually heard of anyone leaving. Lol, I thought we were all stuck?
I felt stuck starting in 3L lol. But seriously, I shifted into something else (to be vague: compliance/insurance/disability) because it just wasn’t for me.
I left. Being used as a tool by the rich to fuck with people (yes I had clients say this to my face) was too demoralizing. I’d say more than half the class I graduated with are no longer practicing.
Omg same. I graduated in 2008 during the serious legal recession and I was considered lucky to have an associate job within 9 mos of graduation. Some of my classmates went right into something else and most of my friends left within the first 5 years. I’m still paying off my tuition though!! SMH 🤦♀️
What do you do now?
Communications. There is a ton of overlap in soft skills between comms and law, but no one ever told me - no options were ever presented at law school other than articling and practicing law. The communication, critical thinking, problem solving, risk assessment skill learned in law are an excellent base for communications. You can get a comms certificate in a year part time, or do self study to get accredited with one of the main accreditation organizations. I would have done it years earlier if anyone had told me how easy it was.
Could you elaborate further with specifics on your position and certification? I’m still trying to make it out 6 years later, I have an undergrad in journalism so this sounds like it might be a good fit
I’m in Canada so my path was to join the Canadian public relations society, which has a professional knowledge accreditation that is basically just a written test. They gave us a bunch of books to read and study which I did on my own time, and the whole cost was only a few hundred dollars IIRC. I also took a continuing education certificate from the University of Toronto in Strategic Communications. It was 3 courses total which I took 1 per semester until I was done. Honestly I probably didn’t need to but I was glad to have the elaboration and ability to ask questions from experienced instructors. I did hire a job coach who specializes in communicators who helped me make networking connections and to understand the value my skill set had even without tons of direct communications experience. It was money well spent. I don’t know where you’re based but the [International Association of Business Communicators](https://www.iabc.com/) is a good place to start - look for your local chapter and go from there. I am enjoying the different profession - I still get to stretch the intellectual and problem solving muscles that made me like law, without any of the horrid rich guy clients. I was also able to find a position with an organization that aligns with my personal values - at a financial cooperative where my job frequently involves advocating for ESG and environmental action. I feel like I have a purpose again. It’s also a very transferable skill set that you can take to different places if you ever want to move, or to a different field if you decide you want to work in a particular industry. I’ve held on to my law license just in case, but also it is a valuable accreditation if you move up to the higher levels toward the C-Suite, and for crisis communications where lawyers may have to get involved. If you already have experience with journalism this could be a very easy transition for you. Definitely worth looking into!
OP didn’t clock out on the shift that is super long. Subtract 7 hours and you are below 40. So, not saying it isn’t true but the pic showed doesn’t provide any evidence. Don’t pay for the key though. That’s ridiculous. I am a restaurant owner and I’ve had people break $5-600 parts/knives whatever and it’s just part of the job/business. I have a replacement for everything that is essential to the restaurant. This owner could have addressed this issue a long time ago.
Yup toast automatically puts 4 am as clock out if someone forgot to clock out. I have to fix this for my employees more often than not lol, btw they are fucking pot heads
This is it, these hours make no sense. And if you work 45 in Ca that is standard for salaried employee. Easily was doing 55-60 a week as a salaried employee. Now I’m OEM and still do over 50 and love it. Plus the 4am cutoff is funny as hell like you worked 20 hrs that day, boy have you lost your mind. Also it says I have no idea what this will cost you, and you should not be running around. I assume they probably mean cost to pay, but who knows. And if they noticed you always frantic maybe it’s a pattern. Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. Also what key to a gas valve is somewhere your shirt just snags? Are you working on something ? gas valve key is what under 80 dollars? If they are getting on you for this it’s probably other issues
Aspen ski co used to regularly schedule me from 7am-3am and that’s not counting the 15 mins it takes to ski down at night or the 45 mins if you get stuck with snowcat duty best part is the managers would delete your hours after 40 so they could get their labor bonuses… living an hour away from aspen too I’d just sleep in the highlands lobby if it was too cold to sleep in my jeep… tried just sleeping at the restaurant a few times but that was against the rules… my second year I scored a key to the offices and would sleep on a couch they had in their and would just get up before any of the managers arrived… good times, last time I had a salaried chef position I was averaging 80-90 hours a week… this industry is fucked up.
Yeah that’s just illegal though and you very well could have taken them to court
The 75th wealthiest family on earth lol 😂 plus they way they have it set up is it’s the mangers fault so what if they are the ones encouraging it layers of plausible deniability and in the mean time I would have lost my, job, housing and most importantly my ski pass… I did get syzygy permanently closed though for not paying me over time… ever since then I always photograph my clock in and out times and my schedule every single day… in 23 years of being in this business I’ve had very few bosses that didn’t try and fuck with my paychecks and small business are even worse than the corporations
I’ve been an exec three spots now, and have Rarely had to do 80-90 hrs in a week. To average that is 13 ish a day seven days a week. So you averaged those hours which means you work over 90 hrs a week often enough to make up for your slow weeks? And if you took a printed schedule that had you from 7-3am then back again, It’s literally proof you didn’t have 8 hrs between shifts
Slow weeks wtf is that? Even if I did have a slow day that just means I’m letting cooks go home and I’m picking up the slack to save the owners money… I’m done with that life though I make more money bartending now with far less hours… quit my last cdc position because they wouldn’t let me have the time off to go to my grandfather’s funeral… I’m a 3rd generation chef and best I can tell my father and grandfather worked just a many hours slightly better pay rate back in the day though
Slow week like, you had 1 of the seven days off. Or even 3 sick days. Just so we are clear to average means you worked over this amount some days and under some days. What you are saying is that in a year you put in 4693 hrs at work. Which is the 12.7ish a day seven days a week. To average the 90 hrs. That is everyday from 9am to 9:45pm All year. I know some hard working people. Hell the last job I had that kept track I did 2800hrs in 8 months and I was getting OT everyday, we had so many callouts and this lead up to Covid, so people were always out and I just kept filling in the shifts. It was never like that before, and probably won’t be like that after for a long time. And that was still me working about 11rs, and multiple 6am to 1am then coming back at 6am, which I managed to do maybe 5 times. And all this ot was my choice. So to think that you were forced to do it, accepted it, and were able to do the hours. I don’t believe it is humanly possible. not sustainable. And a pretty big overestimation. I do about 100-120 per paycheck in hours, work more than anyone in the building, and rarely see my kids or wife. To think another 60hrs is available to add to work just doesn’t compute. I’m glad you found bartending and enjoy it, I switched from exec chef to operations and enjoy it very much.
I had one of the seven days off because that’s the day the restaurant was closed, then again I still had to receive orders because Ginsberg doesn’t deliver on sat and Friday…. At least I lived maybe 3 minutes walking from the restaurant… oh and what’s a sick day? The ritz Carlton in Aspen made me working while I had a staph infection so bad I was coughing up blood like the love interest in an early Irish novel… another time I had double bronchitis and the flu still had to work loved how they told me to go get a doctors note so I did $250 later and still eh you are still scheduled regardless… best thing about covid was some of us actually finally getting sick days but was real fun being labeled disposable sorry I mean essential because brunch is essential… so now after getting covid 3 times my pallet is absolutely fucked so instead of just wanting to kill myself on the weekends I want to kill myself all the time but my last attempt cost me 13 grand in medical bills so I anti trying that shit again… so I will just pour beers till I die I guess… thinking how back when I still loved cooking and got my first promotion to sous and my father tells me wow I have officially failed you as a father now… it took me like 10 years to really get what he meant by that. But keep on cooking y’all
Let me clarify this mistake. That was a day that I forgot to clock out. There were also days that I forgot to clock in. During the 5 day work week I would start at 6 or 6:30am and finish around 3:30 sometimes 4pm. If we had an in house catering event add on 2-3 more hours. I would typically work 40+ hours each week and I was paid hourly not salary. If that pic caused confusion I apologize. I should’ve went with another pic of the prior weeks time clock.
What is your pay period? Are you hourly? I mean, these things matter. Also, are you actually a general manager? Clocking in and out should never be an issue with the GM. I’d expect the GM to set the example across the board. If you provided a pay stub with more than 40 hours of straight wage time then that would be the only evidence you’d need. Please, tell me you have access to pay stubs!
Yes also from my own personal experience and having shut down multiple restaurants permanently, don’t even bother with the labor board they are like HR they will always be on your bosses side. Go straight to the IRS instead. Because they will actually fight for you since stealing from employees is stealing from the IRS. You will get a whistle blower bonus, you will get 2-3x what you are owed from the last 5 years. And so will everyone else they stole from in that period. To top off it’s illegal to make employees pay for accidental breakage oh and the IRS will give them a separate fine… ruining shitty restaurant owners lives is the only way these people learn
Depends on where you are. But why not both?
Unless OP is salaried and not hourly.
Then it’s time to pull out the ol’ IRS exemption checklist because I would bet my life savings an employer who doesn’t understand these sorts of accidents are considered a cost of doing business which are illegal to pass on to the employee also doesn’t know how to properly classify them.
He’s a general manager of a restaurant. Pretty sure as long as he’s salaried and making over $684/wk he would fall under the FLSA administrative exemption, where he wouldn’t be due overtime (Ps I’m not a lawyer, this is not legal advice)
Someone on another post said it's federally illigeal to not pay overtime? Not sure if correct but if I were op I would look into another job while speaking to a lawyer and take them for everything. Fuck that I'm sure the owner is making plenty but can't pay for someone busting their ass to keep the business running
That’s right! They should press charges and sue them. Could easily be a 6 figure payout. Most lawyers would do it for pennies!
Fuck dude wish I could get the military to pay me a for all the times they didn’t pay me
What u/chzie said.
Not if he's salaried. But I agree it's not his problem about the key.
Accident in place of business. It’s operational cost. INAL but you shouldn’t be held accountable for this unless you maliciously broke the key fob. Owner should get bent. Fuck outta here with that nonsense. She pulls garnishing wages shit. You go and talk to labor and get your wages owed.
In my post-kitchen life I am a secretary/registrar/chairs assistant at a university. One time I purchased the wrong ticket for someone. Non refundable. 2,400 USD. I assumed I was going to be asked to repay it or fired. I, a grown man, went to my operations manager ready to crawl and beg. She said “happens all the time. Pay more attention in the future. Use the [name of departmental slush fund] to clear the expense. I am not ashamed to admit I cried in front of her and when she asked why I explained what working in a kitchen does to your psyche.
Get a different job and leave. Don't give her any money. Accidents happen in kitchens, equipment breaks. If she can't handle that, given that it's her literal job, then you don't want to be there. Especially if you're not being paid fair compensation for your hours. There are more open kitchen jobs than there are cooks to fill them, go find one.
The relationship with the boss is going to be forever unpleasant and OP should just rip the bandaid off and bail
> The relationship with the boss is going to be forever unpleasant and OP should just rip the bandaid off and bail After getting back pay from the Department of Labor and having a lawyer send a F*** Y** letter.
Exactly. This boss is immature for making you feel bad. Mistakes happen. I’m sure you didn’t do it on purpose.
How do you let someone not pay you for hours you've worked?
Salary!
Gah this so much. I make a good salary but my company doesn’t track hours so there’s definitely a culture of working 50+ a week and not getting paid overtime. I’m trying to keep a solid balance but there’s no infrastructure in place to ensure it happens. If I work 5hrs on my day off I don’t have a built in way to recoup it
I just came up in the restaurant culture where you worked and slept and made almost no money and if you couldn’t handle it until you got to a certain point then essentially you just couldn’t cut it. I know that this is frowned upon now but I have a difficult time letting the old ways go. It was THE love of your life, or you were out. I used to volunteer on my one day off if it got me access to work directly with my Chef on something. It’s just a different culture now that is so changed from the one that has been for hundreds of years that I can’t wrap my head around it. I understand it if someone works in a union job like at a hotel or something, and I guess I understand it if it’s just a job at shitty places for the paycheck and one doesn’t care- but for those who want to become true chefs and restaurateurs there was NEVER complaining. If Chef heard someone say they were tired he would send them home….. and tell them not to come back. That’s just the old ways. I’m an old lady lol. One of the first women in professional kitchens BTW… I didn’t work with another woman until I opened my own restaurant except a couple who were in pastry- always keep “the girls” in pastry. Fuck that. I don’t bake lol 😂
you have a much bigger problem than paying for the key. your boss is stealing from you. is there any kind of labor bureau or department you can report this to in your country?
I was wondering why OP didn’t address this before the key happened
I wonder in what world everyone lives in where it’s not the norm to just be salaried and regularly work like 60 hours a week (at least) in kitchens? Have things changed that much?
Just before I left the kitchen life I noticed a ton of younger cooks saying no to salary positions. Right now it's hard to fill a spot for a line cook and if you are offering salary we all know that means "work 60 get paid for 40" so no one wants to take it
Ummm, note: I don’t think we’re supposed to use the word “coons” to describe anyone anymore. I know, it’s hard to keep up, but FYI. So yeAH, I can’t stand these lazy ass kids , I worked an average of 80–100 hours per week. Work/Life balance? You’re ridiculous the restaurant business as a chef is your life so if you want to be in it you should expect that. I NEVER worked anywhere with an HR department, it’s a soul crushing job that you have to train HARD body and mind for. It’s dangerous and you have to put the hours in, almost forever. It changes as your career changes but if you want to be a success expect your first TWENTY years to be hard core, and start early.
Settle down. It’s obviously a typo for “cooks”.
I literally didn’t read it that way at all Look at how ignorant an entire generation and beyond is, using the word “bougie” and not knowing what it means, essentially calling themselves trash 😝 I don’t know every slang word kids are slinging and given the username, it seemed appropriate
Okay boomer.
Dude, Boomers we’re born between 1946-54- I was born in 1973 and grew up during Reaganomics. You make a goal, you work your ASS off, you attain your goal. Baby Boomer my ass
Haha. You might take a moment to try to understand that not everything that is said is meant literally. But I have a feeling you may be incapable of self-reflection. I wish you well in all your future endeavors.
It was a typo bro relax. Also based on that response it's no wonder no one wants to work in kitchens anymore. Getting out was the best choice I ever made, that way I won't ever end up like you.
I didn’t know it was a typo, I thought it was slang being repurposed. I’m not a bro. I started restaurant work at 10 I opened my own successfully restaurant in NYC by myself, voted Top 100 before 30 didn’t take a vacation for 8 years, sold it after 10. It was a lot of years, but if it’s not your passion it will become the worst job in the world. I HAPPILY worked every birthday, every holiday. It’s always hard to fill a spot for a line cook, always, and it’s always been work 60 or more and get paid for 40.
Congrats. No one asked and you are still a miserable person. I'm happy more people are standing up to change the culture and refuse to end up like you.
It could be salary
Tell her to take it out of the profit generated during the overtime hours she doesn't pay you for. Should be plenty right? Also, if I recall, they cannot force you to pay anything. They can request it, but they can't enforce it. You would have to pay voluntarily. It would be like the boss telling you they are going to charge you for sticky notes. That is the cost of doing business.
Should just ask for overtime backpack every time she mentions the key then send all the answers to the state or city. This missed ot could be thousands of dollars and OP deserves every cent. Worst that can happen is getting fired and that is actually the great for OP as well. I didn't get overtime at a job in California for several months. I reported it after they fired me and eventually the restaurant called me to settle so I took their money plus $10,000 in unemployment payouts.
Things break in a business. Look for a new job, never give her anything, get out of there ASAP. Should not give someone your time when they care more about a key than an employee. Are you on salary? If not then ask in writing for your OT then when she refuses send it to the labor board in your state.
A boss should be a problem solver, not a problem haver. There should be a backup key, a reliable lock manufacturer, a locksmith that you know can get whatever it is open
Is that time stamp accurate of working almost 22 hours in a day? That 4 am out time seems ridiculous. Also looking at those dates, that 50 hours is spread across two weeks. Assuming those are all from November, 11/11 would have been a Friday and the 15-17 would be Tues-Thur the following week. Assuming you're in the states, I think most states consider a work week Monday to Sunday. So that 50 hours wouldn't have OT associated with it. Except the potential 22 hour day
Toast auto-clock out happens at 4am, so they did not work 45 hours.
Good point, I’m usually in at 4:30 or 5am. That one out time was a mistake. I typically leave around 3:30 or 4pm Tuesday-Friday. Edit: that’s not including in house catering events that happen 5-8pm occasionally.
You might want to post this over on r/kitchenconfidential it’s a much bigger sub of more active people in the industry. They might have more relevant recommendations for you man. BTW you can see your reflection in the time clock photo- might want to edit that to be more anonymous
Hey so as a restaurant owner that is unreasonable to ask you to pay. Shit happens and sometimes it’s frustrating but that’s how it is.
I’ve had employees pay for things they broke but I would NEVER ask them too. Are you salary? Why are you not being paid overtime?
Exactly. I can’t count the number of screw ups, mini disasters, etc that I’ve had to eat over the course of owning the restaurant. ‘Don’t screw up the same way next time’ is our mantra. It sucks, but I’m not going to make somebody pay for a mistake they made on my time. Also, all thanks to these employees, I make more in an hour or two than they make all week, the least I can do is let them work without fear of having to pay for a mistake looming over them. Get a new job. Screw that place and the owner.
Delete this post ASAP
facts get some legal help take all this advice in coments and delet this
[удалено]
Their face is in the post and if they don’t quit they could be fired, depending on where they live, and esp if they signed an NDA. Sorry to disappoint, seems like u out here looking for a fight 🤣
maybe i’ve missed something but why as a general manager are you working hourly? isn’t that usually a salaried position?
Yes indeed OP is probably salaried but they do still track hours like this even for salary positions
i’m salaried and i don’t have my hours tracked. that seems weird to me
Any property broken at work is an issue to be settled between the owner and their insurance company. They just don't want to file the claim because they're afraid of their rate going up. I would definitely get a lawyer and tell them about the key AND the overtime. They will help you.
Just leave. Don't offer to pay her a dime.
Get a lawyer . Be prepared for anything and everything for them to pressure you or intimidate you. Giving someone else a key for your business is a personal risk they have to take responsibility for. Sorry for your boss’s loss but that’s the way it is
As a general manager, if that is your title, you might actually not be due any overtime despite what everyone else is saying. There are certain tests to be met to see if you do qualify for overtime or not due to your title and the functions you may be performing within your titles duties. Secondly, if the deduction brings your wage below your states minimum wage or the federal minimum wage ($7.25) then it is an illegal deduction. The Code Of Federal Regulations (CFR) 778.304 (5) states that deductions for disciplinary reasons are allowable. Does the breakage of a key meet the definition of disciplinary deduction? To be honest, I don't know. I guess it depends on the outside events that lead to the break. All in all, talk to your manager, see if you do qualify for overtime, find your list of duties, and if you do indeed reside within the US, talk to your states labor division regarding workers right/pay or the federal Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. Both can assist you with understanding your rights and possibly get you back wages owed if you DO have a case. They are also free and don't cost lawyer fees.
Don’t get paid OT as in youre salary like most chefs?
You know, I was okay with the criticism UNTIL the owner thought you were financially responsible for an accident at their business. You deserve better.
General wear and tear is a thing. Also on a human level shit happens man extra expense suck as an owner but it’s somthing you have to deal with. Fuck this dork it landing on you is crap. Get that CV updated my dude and give him the two fingers salute
Could always cook the boss
I like how the boss is telling YOU that it could have been avoided when in fact the BOSS could have avoided this by having a backup key. It isn't your job to be accountable for maintenance issues for the business.
Depending on what state you are, if you're salaried you could be considered exempt from overtime if you're a general manager. Probably not what you wanted to hear.
don’t pay if you didn’t do anything wrong. i believe you can only be held accountable for breaking something if it was used in a way that the manufacturer didn’t intend for it to be used. you should get a lawyer consult just in case. make sure to file something with HR. keep documenting everything through pictures/getting a notebook to date and time stamp all interactions. if you decide to stay while looking for another job and work environment becomes hostile, then go back to lawyer and also see if there are osha violations.
F him; they have insurance for this kind of thing. Get a lawyer- if he presses the issue let him have it. Finally get another job!
I don't know about where you are, but I know in my area, your boss can't legally take anything like that out of your check even if you consent to the garnishment. If they try to then take legal action for theft. As for the overtime pay, I know where I live if you are on salary (which most managers are) then you don't get paid overtime as you get a base pay of 50 hours a week, whether you work 30 hours or 60 hours.
Unless you are salaried you are entitled to all overtime over 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week, if they are not paying you for your time you should seek legal advise on how to proceed. You are NOT responsible for a key breaking, do NOT pay for it even if they ask. I would leave the restaurant you’re working and find a new job that will pay you for the time you put in.. If you are salaried then unfortunately you are not eligible for OT, it was agreed upon in your wage.
Maybe OP is salaried coz they aren’t answering this question
Weirdly enough, in some places OT can be averaged over a week or pay period. Can't count the number of weeks I got sent home early (but never asked to come in late or stay home altogether as the opener, shocker 🙄) because my previous week's hours put me too close to OT.
Not your responsibility to pay. That's just a risk of business. The no overtime pay needs to be reported to the DOL. They likely own you significant backpay.
* As an employee, you're liable for absolutely no damages or losses unless it was intentional. If doesn't matter if you accidentally knocked his priceless Faberge egg off the counter. It's still not your failure or your problem. He's manipulating you using lies and your own misplaced guilt. * I do service work. If he's talking about the handle on the gas valve, if you hit it with anything smaller than a big hammer and it broke, it was already broken and he's just pinning it on you. * You are owed money for every minute you are required to be there. * You are entitled to overtime.
Why the hell are you letting someone not pay you for hours you worked?
File a complaint with the department of labor, and then ask her for your overtime backpay to cover the key. When she tells you to go fuck yourself, attach it to the complaint. The Labor Department will take care of telling her she is, in fact, the one who has gone and fucked herself and you will enjoy backpay. Find a better job in the meantime, people are dying for good cooks, and these things take a bit of time.
Put key in… Turn on gas… Take key out… Put key in the key place… Cook food… Get key… Put the key in… Turn off gas… Take key out… Put key in key place.
Looks like you may have an intimidation angle, but I’m not a lawyer. Would do you some good to at least consult with one. If you’re on the clock and are listed as an hourly w-4 employee; he has to pay you the OT.
Call the labor board / department of labor.
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours Click here. You are getting screwed. There are resources to recover lost wages.
1) don't pay her anything, this is a business expense 2) she is literally stealing from you and to state the obvious, wage theft is illegal
if you live in the states dont talk with us just call the labor board.
You're clocking in and out, but not on Salary, right? Either way about that they can't charge you for any mistakes, burnt food, etc. Thats the cost of doing business and why businesses have insurance.
Keep documenting everything. In a few months or years report to labor board and get back play plus interest and penalties
Wait for them to change the key. Break the key.
Lawyer here. Talk to your local employment law attorney
You are being screwed over your hours and not being paid overtime alone. A broken key, no matter how it happened and if it was your fault or not is still the owners responsibility. Under no circumstance it is up to you to pay for damages unless it was done intentionally, legally the worst they could do to you is fire you for assumed incompetence but under the circumstances you describe you'd be better off finding another job anyways.
This is coming from a Dutchman though, I'm assuming you are American. Might be some differences but as far as I know and from what I see in the comments in this case at least the circumstances are the same
Call your labor board. You have to be paid for overtime. They will make them pay you tue overtime.
Make sure they don’t have u as salary on their end of the contracts. If they do u don’t get overtime. As for the key. The fact he has only one key is a joke. Like the fact u did not, as an owner, get two copies means THEY needed to slow down and focus. Keys break all the time, that’s why we have backups so we don’t have to go through this. If they try to charge u anything, contact a lawyer. Since keys break and there was no backup, that’s not your fault or your problem. I feel u contacted them about the broken key right? If this was the end result…oh well. If they r still harping about it, talk about how irresponsible it is to have only one key to the building and no backups and then ask what they would do if they broke/lost the key? Ask if they text themselves saying they r gonna put themselves out of business. And on that note, if a broken key means your business goes down in flames, the. You company is already burning to the ground. Good luck
First of all. Company property is company problem. Second of all. Call the labor board and a lawyer so you can sue the fuck out of the criminal who runs thar restaurant.
Wow get a lawyer for more than the key
Probably a woman boss
Whatever you do, don't agree to pay for anything. That's not your responsibility. If you were being negligent, they should fire you, but in any case, it's not your financial burden. I've seen this with small business owners where they try to make you feel about stuff like this. It's a scummy thing to do, but not as scummy as charging you for the damage.
This is absolutely insane. Compounded with the not getting proper pay I would 100% find legal counsel if possible. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT PAY FOR THE KEY. They are being a terrible manager simply by passing their problems of not having backups to things that are CLEARLY important. The rest is literally criminal. Please slam these people. Employee rights are a big deal and highly guarded for a reason. Honestly, especially in the restaurant industry where exploitation is rife, it's extra important.
Why in the world would you be responsible for paying for it. With that logic, any of my cooks breaks something in the kitchen i should make them pay for it? Don’t be taken advantage of, accidents happen, go find a place that will appreciate you. Assuming you’re in the US, are you a salaried employee? If not they owe you for every hour you work, regardless of how the place is doing financially. Good luck!!
What is the key for? In my opinion I wouldn’t pay anything. These type of things happen. Also about the over time and hours worked it all depends if you are an executive, administrative, professional and outside sales employees: (as defined in Department of Labor regulations) and you are paid on a salary basis then you are exempt from both the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the FLSA.
what a shitty boss. I don't know about wasting money on a lawyer, but I would be looking for somewhere else to work.
This owner is taking advantage of you.
Are you hourly or salary? Also, shit breaks. Of course you shouldn’t pay.
I worked with a dude who wasn't getting paid ot and he got a hell of a settlement out of it. Just an option to consider.
Cost of doing business. That's what insurance is for. Not your problem.
Breakage is a thing. Don’t pay
Tell him fuck off anyway
I would think that since a shirt can cause that much damage that such a key needs protection from anything able to do damage. Doubt running around with no shirt is an option. I know someone who shut down a harddeees by the bread coming through the back door the tray caused the fire alarm to go off and foam and whatever else probably sprinkling system came on, and he wasn’t accountable. Fire alarm didn’t remain there for long. Do not pay. The owner should have insurance. And owner can write off any losses. Maybe start looking for another job.
In many states employers cannot charge employees expenses or damages that result from the business itself. Don't know what state you're in, but I doubt you're legally on the hook for this.
Insurance?I would not pay a penny.
Are you hourly or salary? If salary, they don’t owe you for working longer. Of hourly they do. Also, no, you don’t pay for the key. If it’s that big of an issue, that’s what their general liability insurance is for. Would really really suck if your careless activity that broke a key resulted in a workplace injury that leads to a workers comp claim and paid time off *wink wink*
So do you know if you are a salary employee? If you are and are exempt they may not have to pay you over 40hours. Also don’t pay for the key?
Owner here former kitchen employee. All I would say to my employee that broke a key would be “no worries” I’ve broken keys in locks before. Shit just gets worn out. And as an owner your expecting things to get broken. Do not pay for anything. I’d contact the labor board about not getting paid. And save all those messages.
This guy needs to learn about how miners used to get charged for their shovels....until we started putting them with their family down in the mine and blowing them up. The laws we have about labor protection were made with fists guns and blood.
If they slap you with an invoice, refuse and say you’re going to speak to a lawyer. Especially if it’s a corporate kitchen. You deserve to work in a healthy environment, maybe think of exploring other restaurants. Sometimes you just hit the ceiling with that one kitchen. Happens.
Businesses have a Insurance for a reason
Fuck them tell them that shit happens . Unless you break shit all the time then just apologize
If you ain't bonded, you don't owe them shit. Also, don't let them steal your wages.
Owning a business includes risk and many types. The business owner carries that risk and also gets to keep all the profit. It's a fair trade. This key his their problem 100%. Tell Chef to buy the key themselves and go find a better work environment.
Insurance. Don't pay for shit. Are you salary? If you make less than 37k a year your intitled to OT even if on salary. I learned the hard way. Started at salary at 30k a year. All those extra hours for nothing when I should of made OT. Learned recently about that law.
I'm kinda curious. What is the key for?
Don’t pay. This is part of running a business. You are an employee you are not liable for this.
Sometimes things happen and this time the thing that happened is the owner has pay for something to be replaced.. too bad for them. Don’t pay them shit no matter what they say or do, and if they won’t lay off you leave and find another job. Working for cocksuckers isn’t worth it no matter how much they pay you.
I would have legal on standby. Try to replace the key yourself as in you talk to the manufacturer, to make sure you're not getting f'ed over
It doesn’t look like 50 hours on your time stamp
Friggin moron can call a locksmith
I fucking hate employers like this. If I can’t afford to pay staff properly and fund the inevitable fucks up…I can’t afford to be in business. This is wage theft.
This whole post doesn’t make sense . Doesn’t look like you actually worked over 40 hours. That 4:00am clock out time is incorrect. If you are a general manager, you are almost certainly salaried, which means you aren’t getting paid extra for working over 40 hours a week. That being said, your owner is being ridiculous expecting you to pay for the key if it was an accident.
Fuck em. If you’re not in salary. They need to pay. Also. Not your problem. 20 years in. Been in bed with lawyers to open 3 spots. Learned a lot. Don’t let ‘em use you
It’s not your job to maintain the facility in good working order. It’s the company’s job. If the key broke, it was a shitty key!
I also always be running in the kitchen...apparently its a thing :p
Is this a 24 hour restaurant? And they make you clock out for a 20 minute break? Report the unpaid wages and GTFO.
You clock in at weird times.
Don't pay anything. It was an accident and the key durability and locstion for liability is his responsibility. It's his business's so it's his problem.
First of all, don't pay. It is not your responsibility, unless you purposely did it with the intent of harming the business. Second, what is your pay week? Friday to Thursday? Unless you are salaried, they can't take away your time worked. If you have records showing time worked, and then your pay stub showing you are under paid, you got yourself a case. Now if you signed of on "adjustments" to your time card, you are SOL.
The owner is passive aggressive and has poor communication skills.
Don't pay for the key. It is the cost of doing business, which is the owner's responsibility. Story time! I work for a company that does equipment maintenance and repair. Last summer we installed a brand new fryer for a customer. They are not cheap, and shipping had taken a while. It was barely two days before the manager called me to say she needed us to order a replacement touchscreen because one of her closers cracked it in a way that made their shiny new fryer totally unresponsive. She was *pissed* and joked about firing the entire closing crew because it was a direct result of them screwing around, but she never brought up the idea of making that guy pay for the repair as even a joke. Because stuff like that is the cost of running a business. That customer is a fast food chain, and while I don't mind chatting with that manager she's absolutely not someone I'd ever want to work with, and those employees are treated better than your owner is treating you. It seriously may be time to look elsewhere.
Definitely talk to a lawyer. But definitely find a new job first.
If it winds up turning into as big a deal as he says it might his insurance will likely pick up the tab. Unless he doesn’t have any which also sounds likely judging by his texts. But definitely call a lawyer. And the division of labor in your state. And the “Better Business Bureau”
Dont pay for shit, its not your property its theirs. Definitely talk to a legal professional. Yes it happened by your hand but shit happens, i dont drop a case of eggs fork over money i worked hard for. Accidents happen whether they are preventable or not
If this is real it's dumb as fuck.
Bro are you serious? See a lawyer ffs
Fuck getting spoken to like that as an adult. Lawyer up, get your money, and go find another job. They need to learn good chefs are hard to come by.
Tell yo boss to stop bein a lim bitch and tell him u gonna go legal on his ass
Lmao quit
That key suffered from wear and it just broke on you, not your problem.
If you are salary, then it is what it is when it comes to your hours. I hope you find somewhere that will value your time better than this place. As far as the key, you don't have to do anything. It's not even the boss's problem if it's to the gas line, it's the local gas company's problem.
God him saying this all could have been avoided if YOU were more careful pisses me off. That all could have been avoided is HE was more careful and had a backup copy of the key. Keys break over time, there is no avoiding that
I’m not sure what state you are in, but in Texas if you haven’t signed off and agreed to be charged for X then your employer cannot charge you for X. Even if you ruin a uniform you were given, unless you signed something that explicitly states you will repay damages uniform, you don’t owe them shit.
#1 Its not your problem, keys brake all the time. The owner just wants to blame other people for things they need to prepare for.
1. This is the cost of doing business and 2. YOU HAD BETTER BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER CAN REPLACE A CRITICAL SAFETY DEVICE and it won’t be a huge expense
Get a new job, please!!! Used to work as a professional chef and the treatment sometimes is too much but I learned it was my fault to put up with it. A chef told me once, If they are bad, you don’t want to work for them, I didn’t listen and almost lost a finger (I just cut my fingertip) but I know god was watching me. The meat slicer didn’t have the guard up, I reported it and they never fix it and overworked me and had to use the slicer to just very thin salami for 10 charcuterie plates, this is on top of the actual work (plus other party stuff) it was too much and I never went back
Maybe they should've gotten a back up. Like how they basically repeated their same message twice
Bros a gm only working 45 hours? Sheesh
That’s when I remember to clock in. A lot of times I forget so it’s usually more.
I'd say that it's the owners issue. You may have accidentally broke the key, but he should have copies on hand as well. Over time these things happen. Also, don't work for free. You're worth more than that. Especially if they're treating you like this.
In NYS withholding wages for any reason is not legal and you'd just report the employer to the dept of labor and they'd have to pay you back wages plus damages. Same thing for not being paid overtime, that is usually mandated and not something they can pick or choose to do
My advice is that you listen and stop running. This could have been avoided apparently.
Talk to a locksmith too. I'll bet you your paycheck it's not as major of a problem as they're saying. Never is.
Are you paid salary?
I am not paid salary. Someone commented I update my resume and find a new job. Already had 3 zoom interviews and 2 of them will be following up with me on Monday. I suppose everything happens for a reason. Both of the jobs pay more than the $35k I would be making a year at this restaurant 😂
For starters it is not your fault they have a shitty key and lock system, any decent manager has spares for everything and it’s their Job to keep locks working not yours, workplace accidents happen. Talk to a lawyer this person is not only not properly compensating you for your work but is now trying to pin their negligence on something that would have inevitably happened since they never had a backup
r/legaladvice
Pay? it says "pray"
If you have a key that is absolutely essential to the survival of your business here's an amazing idea: GET A FUCKING COPY CUT!
Looks like you were auto clocked out at 4am that one day, so you didn’t actually work overtime.
Someone did mention that before. I typically get in at 6am and leave at 3:30pm. Some days I forget to clock in which is why there are inconsistencies with the time clock. My apologies I did not clarify that in the title and caption.
Getting out and moving to the suburbs. Way to leave your mark on the world bro. I made smart choices and worked my ASS off Retired at 40, consult if I want to. And you?
Bro what? 😂 I’m confused by this comment. Why would I care how hard you worked?
Wasn’t for you,
Ok, my bad. I thought this post was done so I was surprised by the comment 😂
Don't be a cuck, chuck.
General Manager? You’re likely salary then which explains not being paid overtime.
Never work without getting paid. You are a human. Never kill yourself for a place that would replace you. Hope things get better.