This was to be expected.

Well, my job is still great, but I had my first bad day. I'm pretty upset and I almost cried on the way home from work. I didn't, though. I forced myself not to, because it was really stupid.

Anyways, I woke up early this morning because someone texted me and I find out it was my boss. Someone called in sick today and she wanted someone to cover for her. Well, this was around six in the morning and I was so out of it and tired, I just ignored it and went back to sleep. Well, I woke up again around nine and my phone buzzed again. I thought it was my imagination so I ignored it and didn't look until 10:30 am.

Well, she was still looking for someone to come in so I texted her and said "I haven't done this shift yet, but I would be glad to come in and help as best I can."

So, she texted me back and said that would be great. So, I got ready and went in a few hours early and learned how to do another shift.

Well, morning and afternoon was great, it wasn't until dinner I started to really have trouble.

I was spilling drinks with this one guy, and I felt really bad because I'm not used to it and the jug it was in was really weird and it leaked.

Then this lady tells me "you need to make sure you are taking all the warm food to others when it's up on the warmer" which really frustrated me because I WAS doing that and pretty fast too. I was busy helping others and I'd always look up to see if there was anything there. All the times I looked, there wasn't.

And then later, it's my shift's job to clean ALL the dishes. There is only room for two squares holding clean dishes on the clean side and then you have to clean all the other dishes and put away the clean ones at the same time.

This is really, really hard, and this same lady was like "You really need to do this faster and learn a system that will work." I got really upset and almost cried then because I know I'm new and it's not my fault that I don't know how to do it fast yet.

And because of me, we all left ten minutes late because I was so slow. I felt really bad.

So, does anyone have any ideas how I could possibly form a system? You rinse them, put them in a rack, and then put them in the dish washer. When they're clean, you push them to the other side on the clean counter and then you have to make sure there's room for the next. The lady said I need to always have one load in the dish washer going.

Any ideas? And how can I keep my stress levels down on the job?

you said "this lady" and not "my manager" or anything like that. Is it possible that this is just another co-worker, trying to throw their weight around?

Also, I know it might seem like everyone left late, because of you, but really, they all left earlier then they would of, if you hadn't been there, picking up a shift you weren't scheduled for, and doing your best!

I've never waitress-ed, before, but I have run that huge silver machine, (to get out of boring study halls in school, working in dietary at a nursing home as my first job, and in a few fast food restaurants). I've always had two racks in front of me - one for glasses and one for plates and trays. Try to put all the plates on one side and all the trays on the other, so that when you take them off, you grab a handful of either one. Soak your silver ware in a pitcher, so you really just have to rinse it off, and toss it onto a rack on the floor. If you're really good, have three pitchers - one for forks, one for spoons, and one for knives.

I think she might actually be one of my bosses. I mean, not officially, but she's the one in charge when the real boss isn't there. D:

And yes, I suppose so. We were short handed today, because someone else called in as well. It was pretty bad.

And I work dietary in a nursing home. That's what I do. So it's not too hard, but it's still taking some getting used to.
But we already soak our silverware, and it's kind of hard to separate each thing by what it is. I mean, I kind of do that now. I'll do all the plates and things first. I just don't know how to do it fast enough...

But thank you.

Hydro.... You will get faster it just takes time to figure it out.. Everyone that starts a job needs time to figure out the tricks of getting things done faster. Being short handed just makes everyone stressed out..

Hang in there

Thank you! I now need a lesson in patience... I have a strong feeling I will not get paid this Wednesday, because I don't know when the cut off day is or if I was in the system yet or not. I really hope the cut off day is Sunday and that I'm in it, because if it is, then I can buy the phone I want to buy. I am going to get really upset if I can't get it, I just know it. D:

Hopefully you will be in the system..If not the next payday will be a good one .. You will get your phone , I know its so hard to wait ,, Ohh I so know the feeling lol

things will get better hydro.

sorry it wasn't entirely the best of days.. but hey, you went, and you did it.

you should be proud

More: I do hope so. I'm worried I will get fired or something, and then I can't get it or pay for college anymore... I just need to relax, and take it as it comes, I think.

Shattered: Thank you! I do feel a little proud about going in early... I'm still trying to feel better, though.

This woman who was telling you that you aren't fast enough & to work out a system & who seemed to be in charge ...
I've worked in a few nursing homes, & people were always anxious to show me The System they'd perfected so I'd hit the ground running. I mean, who sits someone in front of a filing cabinet and complaints that they're slow in working out a filing system?

I think you did great--if you get fired, I'll write you a recommendation.

Roadie

Thanks, Roadie. I talked with my boss, actually, and she was ranting and raving about how well I was doing. And I talked to my higher up boss, and she said she heard I was doing really well and told me to keep up the good work. So it sounds like they really like what I'm doing, despite my slowness and I told my boss I felt really bad for being slow, and she said don't worry about it, it'll just take time.

When I worked in food service I used to half clean things and use the five second rule on anything dropped, and I had plenty of time to slack off and my manager always gave me glowing reviews. There were a few who may have said comments to me but, I would come back by pointing out how their stress levels were disproportionate to the work we were doing which was enough to convince or disarm 'em.

And ten minutes overtime? You're paid for that right? More money!

Ah, I see. Well, I don't know how it will go from now on. Last night I dind't have to do the dishes, tonight I'm going to, I'm sure. It's going to be hard... And no, I don't think we get paid for overtime. You have to get permission for that.

Thanks!