My worst first day experience:
I was hired to be a food and beverage server in a busy restaurant that was a very popular brand in town. I was happy when got through the interview process easily was called in for the job.
On my first day, I was told to report to work at 6 am, before the breakfast crowd. The morning briefing began 10 minutes later and, at that time, I was told to sit in the office and wait for the briefing to be done, I wasn’t introduced to anyone on the team.
A bad first-day on the job experience
After my supervisor did her morning duties, opened the floor and got everything organized for opening, it was two (2) hours later and the restaurant was full, everyone was busy and I had only seen the office in the back of the kitchen. This made me think it would be good to take the initiative so I got up and asked if there was anything I would do to help. I was told to wait for my trainer to come.
My supervisor came to see me at 9 am while I was reading the employee manual which I had with me. This appeared to annoy her, so my first duty was to go on my hands and knees in the kitchen with a small scrub brush to clean the grout between the tiles under the dishwasher.
After that, I polished 200 sets of silverware, folded napkins for lunch and dinner, then shined all glassware, I was told to go back in the kitchen to wash the pots and pans for the evening rush. I still had not had an orientation or introduction to the company or anyone on the team.
When my break came at pm, I clocked out, went straight home to write an email submitting my resignation. I got a call from HR to apologize for the experience and to come in to talk to the head of the department, but the damage was done.
First day — and last.
This was originally published on Mel Kleiman’s Humetrics blog.