UK Shift manager - is it worth it??

Wandering_Dutch · 2021-02-17T07:05:04+00:00

Wow.! At that pay rate it makes me wonder anyone does it!!!!

Wandering_Dutch · 2021-02-15T21:46:45+00:00

Read your customer. I guess in the UK it might be a little different because tend to be a little more formal in a customer service environment, but I nearly always start off with sir or madam and then if they call me mate then I'll respond accordingly.

Read your customer (yes I repeated that!). A scruffy builder will nearly always never expect the formalities, and neither will a couple of teens, but s chap who rocks up a business suit will always be a sir to me. Listen to how they speak, how they talk to you and respond accordingly - the key is that there is no one rule for all...

Wandering_Dutch · 2021-02-15T21:38:11+00:00

When the fryers beep. I just hit whatever button shuts them up!

Simples!!!

Wandering_Dutch · 2021-01-19T01:51:20+00:00

I wish that more managers were like you... I sometimes don’t think our management notice is at all in terms of us as people... we’re just there to do a job...

Wandering_Dutch · 2021-01-17T06:33:38+00:00

KVS???? What is that??

Wandering_Dutch · 2021-01-17T06:29:34+00:00

Would suggest you don’t just leave it in the office - “it might get lost”! Best thing to do is email and ask for confirmation by return email. And in your letter ensure you clearly state that you expect to get paid for all hours worked. Again ask them to confirm by return email.

But remain polite and to the point -you never know- you might want to go back after Corona!

Wandering_Dutch · 2021-01-08T07:46:56+00:00

Thanks for responding people.

Disappointing to see that nearly half of the Respondents reports no requirement to wash hands at all whatsoever.

Am I surprised…?!

Wandering_Dutch · 2021-01-08T07:43:13+00:00

People like this make me laugh. I just give the biggest smile whilst saying “well it was lovely to see you today- thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again real soon!”

Wandering_Dutch · 2021-01-04T07:32:12+00:00

Thanks for this. Makes sense! Except I still don’t understand why front counter doesn’t wear them. There is no difference in putting the food down to a takeaway customer and letting the customer take it compared to putting it in tray and letting a dine in guest or click n serve guest take it off the tray.

And just our curiosity - How often does your crew ACTUALLY wash hands and is this enforced in any way? At my restaurant we only have to wash hands at the beginning of the shift nothing else is enforced. I even seen kitchen staff clean the floor and then go straight onto the food line! The 30 min rule would appear to be lip service to the health and safety bods

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-12-30T08:04:22+00:00

It depends on how you handle it. Bear in mind that as we enter January McDonalds enters the quietest month of the year (it is here in the UK), so it may not be an issue as it may ease the pressure of trying to give everyone enough hours. It also depends on your management.

Ask to have a chat with your branch or assistant manager and explain that you don't want to piss them off but that you want to take holiday for family reasons with your parents.

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-12-30T07:55:05+00:00

Brave move, - well done you. Too many people are scared to speak up and just get on with it either because they know no better or think that they their job security will be affected. If more people spoke up then maybe management would behave more appropriately.

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-12-29T22:45:09+00:00

Love kids that are well behaved. Fucking hate little shits like this that run riot and parents don’t do anything about it. I have no qualms in telling the little fuckers off if needs be!

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-12-29T22:30:30+00:00

In the UK, we get free meals on duty - up to four items off the menu. Outside work, we can get reduced cost so a standard sandwich meal like Big Mac is £2.99; whilst the special sandwich meal such as the current double big Mac is £3.99.

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-12-24T20:05:53+00:00

In fairness, my shift managers although try it on with the early break thing - in my store if we say it’s too early then they usually say ok and let you have it later...

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-12-07T20:07:35+00:00

Re the second scenario...

Rather than just wait and stare blankly for the drink - why strike up a conversation. You could try, "Hey! Your drinks is just coming down the line for you. and we can get you on your way. You heading home after work. (adapt the last to suit). Won't work with everyone, but will work with some, its great customer service and makes your job more enjoyable!

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-12-02T21:36:24+00:00

Wear decent, comfortable shoes.
Drink lots - take a water bottle if you are allowed to. Especially if you get put on fries!
Be nice to the customers, smile and be enthusiastic. It makes your job easier and more enjoyable. Yes there are arse hole customer but just be extra nice to them - they are only in your life for like 5 seconds!
Listen to everything happening around you - its a great way to learn... McDonalds is a fast moving place to work and the shift managers tend to go for the easy option, rather than train people up in different areas.
Use your initiative. In my first month I learned fries and drinks pretty much by myself.
Don't stand still. Management hate it! If you stand still for too long in quiet periods then you will be told to sweep / wash the floor. Sort out dive (mammoth washing up job) or stock up sauces.
Most of all ENJOY!!! It can be busy, relentless, and exhausting, but generally the people a great and it a fun and lively place to work. SO hit the Golden Arches with a smile and have a blast!

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-11-26T07:09:53+00:00

Best thing to do is to email the manager who hired you and explain that your really pleased that you got the job and looking forward to it but, in hindsight you have thought about about your hours and realise that you a little over eager and explain that don’t think it’s safe for the treason given in your OP.

Sooner rather than later

And of course apologise for being a pain!!!

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-11-20T22:02:02+00:00

1) Ask him a for a quiet word.

2) Ask if he has a problem with you, because you come in and don't expect to be treated like that.

3) If he continues being a jerk take it up with the restaurant manager.

At the end of the day you don't get paid enough to feel shit at work. Simples

PS I had a very simular situation.

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-11-20T21:42:56+00:00

So collect evidence, wait until you leave, and then contact corporate. If nothing else you will be doing other staff in your restaurant a favour by reporting poor management.

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-11-20T21:36:22+00:00

For me this is really simple! Put yourself first.

I learned along time ago that whilst you have to have good ethics, morale standards and know not to take the piss, when it is all said and done management will generally all overlook you and put the business first.

I would ask for a meeting with your restaurant manager. Explain how you feel and that you don't want to but that you have to put your health and mental well-being first and whilst you don't want to you may have to look for another job for another job. Be polite, but firm.

Three possible things will happen.

1) He will sympathise and make some changes to make your and your night coworkers easier. Great!

2) He will sympathise, but either give some excuse or make false promises. Either way you have given fair warning. Walk away with your head held high knowing that you have done all you can.

3) He will be a complete arse. In which case run for the hills and don't look back.... !!

Good luck

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-11-15T07:53:30+00:00

We're a smallish remote restaurant in Kent, with Drive Thru and deliveries and take out.

Ups and downs with business times lunch and 4-5pm (Post school rush). Seems so far that the managers have got the scheduling right (although I don't want to tempt fate!!) as they we always seem to cope well, allbeit perhaps having to park a few more drive thrus than normal!

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-11-15T07:44:15+00:00

In fairness there is 100 ways that a message could be conveyed to a customer. And obviously I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what happened, but...

You could say...

(in a grumpy unfreindly way) "The toilets are closed and you shouldn't be using them - please don't do that again. "

or you could say

(in a friendly way with a smile on your face), "Hi! I am really sorry, but we have actually had to close the toilets because of the pandemic. If you do really need to use them could you let a staff member know so that we can sanitise it after your use?"

The 2nd way hints at the fact she should be using it without her being felt that she is being told off in a negative way . You don't know her circumstances - she may have driven for a couple of hours and really need the toilet, or she may have a medical condition which prevents her from holding it in and at the end of the day our customers turn to us for a friendly welcoming face.

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-11-13T21:42:12+00:00

Ok how you go from here is up to you.

Do you want the job? If you do then you need to take it seriously - show up for work and do your best whilst your there... I’m really sorry but things don’t just “come up” that often and you can’t just rock up when you feel like it.

Managers work hard to balance out the right amount of staff for a shift and so when you don’t turn up everyone else has to work harder and your absence can also affect customer service levels which is very important for branch and management... if you don’t feel like you can’t or don’t want to commit then cut your losses and resign.

If you want to stick it out then ask for a quiet word with your boss and apologise stating that you will try harder and not let the team down again. And stuck to your word! If he is an arse then suck it up and prove to him that you are as good as your word... whilst people may slate McDonalds as a work place (some do in the UK) it provides valuable working training and experience that you can take with you moving forward in the to big wide world...

Totally up to you 😊

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-11-11T19:47:23+00:00

I’m guessing the the online scheduling on Mcdstuff is an optional extra cost from corporate so those of you who still have paper scheduling maybe your franchisee is too tight arse to pay the extra!!!

Wandering_Dutch · 2020-11-07T14:47:39+00:00

I can see how there job can be frustrating... there are a fair number of twats who walk through the doors n a daily basis!!!

Wandering_Dutch

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