Many people work in fast food for their first job, and unfortunately, they grow to regret it once they discover that it’s not what they thought. The truth is that working in a fast food restaurant involves long hours, and many people wish it paid more. Here are some horror stories about fast food that you might not have considered.
Wage Theft
Believe it or not, wage theft is one of the biggest horrors fast food workers experience. It’s illegal to ask an employee to do work while they’re off the clock, but it happens, and many workers can’t afford to lose a job and don’t realize they can take their case to the labor board. For instance, fast food restaurants typically ask you to clock out before cleaning the place up. This is illegal.
Open To Close
A “clopening” shift is when you close a restaurant, then open it. However, this can become illegal if you haven’t had enough time between the shifts. There are states that have a minimum number of hours that have to be met before you take on another shift. If you’re living in a state with that law, then you need time between shifts.
Hostile Work Environment
As someone who has worked in a hostile environment, this is one thing that people shouldn’t have to deal with. Examples include standing up for your rights and then getting in trouble for it, or dealing with open hostility, harassment, or isolation. All of these are illegal.
Violent Customers
No one should ever be put in a dangerous situation, and yet we see it all the time. For instance, some people have had chairs thrown at them for an order the customer thought was wrong; others have wrecked the restaurant or thrown food or drinks at the worker. Some have even experienced coworkers or managers attempting to assault them.
Violating HIPAA
Another issue workers need to deal with is managers pulling shady stunts like trying to violate HIPAA. There have been stories of employees being told they need a doctor’s note, showing it, and then having their managers ask for the medical information that the doctor provided. Always remember that you don’t have to share your medical information with anyone.
Terrifying Situations
If you’ve ever worked in a fast food restaurant that’s open 24/7, you’ve probably seen some strange things. There have been stories of employees going to clean the bathrooms and finding people unresponsive and in need of medical care, or worse. There have also been accounts of employees spotting dangerous people hiding in the dark outside their workplace.
Paying For Uniforms
When you get hired to work in a fast food restaurant, you should never have to pay for any part of your uniform. If your employer is attempting to make you pay for something, it’s illegal. The employer is legally required to cover all mandatory items upon hiring you. Some people get tricked into this, and they end up paying half or more of their first paycheck on the uniform.
Meals
An employer can charge for the cost of the meal, but not more than that. In fast food and regular restaurants, we know that the price we pay isn’t always what the meal costs. If an employer wants to charge you the full menu price, they’re in violation of wage laws in some states. Keep this in mind when you’re working hard and starving for something to eat.
Paying For Equipment
While more of a rarity, this does happen. If an employer decides to pass along the cost of equipment to the employees or forces everyone to take a pay cut to cover the cost, this isn’t legal, and you can sue immediately. An employer is never allowed to deduct such expenses from employees’ wages—they have to cover it themselves.
Sexual Harassment
Sadly, this is another big issue in food service. Some women and men even wear wedding rings to and from work in the hope of reducing harassment (though it doesn’t always work). Unfortunately, harassment can come from outside sources (the customers) or internal ones (coworkers). More than ever, people need to be able to stand up against those pushing boundaries and behaving inappropriately.
Illegal Questions
During an interview for a fast food job or while on the job, you might be asked questions that are illegal and personally invasive. For instance, questions that could lead to discrimination or inquiries into your family life—such as whether you’re planning on getting married or starting a family—are not acceptable.
Illegal Activity
If you witness something illegal at your job, you have the right to report it without fear of retaliation. Should you file a complaint, you cannot legally be fired. Your employer is supposed to provide a safe work environment, and if they fail to do so, they should be reported not only for your sake but also for that of your fellow workers.
Denying Disabilities
If you are disabled, the ADA states that your employer cannot deny you accommodations if you need them. For example, if you can’t lift heavy objects, your employer should modify your tasks accordingly. Whether you need adjusted work hours, more breaks, or different responsibilities, your employer should accommodate your needs.
Pay Less
Employers must pay workers fairly. While it is legal for employers to pay different wages for different roles, it’s not acceptable to pay an employee a lower wage for reasons that are not legitimate. Discriminatory factors such as gender, race, or disability should never be a basis for reduced pay. Wage discrimination is an ongoing issue, but staying vigilant can help bring about change.
Salary
While wages are a hot topic and widely debated, you can discuss your pay in the workplace. This is protected under the NLRA, and you are allowed to talk about it face-to-face or via written messages, regardless of union representation. You’re also permitted to raise concerns about pay or even organize a union to initiate changes.
Is It Worth It?
Many people believe that the steady work provided by fast food is worth enduring all of the horrors, as it offers flexible hours. However, you need to know what you’re willing to tolerate and what you’re not. Wage theft is one of the biggest reasons people despise working in fast food, but efforts are underway to change things. Hopefully, in the future, fast food will be a safer, happier place to work.
