This morning I woke up for work and promptly realized I was very sick and should stay home. I figured that handling people’s food while I was hacking up my lungs wasn’t smart. My throat was swollen, my voice was scratchy and my eyes were bloodshot- the last thing guests want to see and hear in regards to the people touching their food and beverages. So I called in sick. I told my manager that hey- I was sick and I didn’t want to get the other employees or the guests sick, so I would stay home today.
Believe me, I wanted to work! I need the money and also today was Bar Champs so that would have been so fun to watch! I do enjoy my job. My manager said I could stay home granted I bring in a doctor’s note. I was taken aback but quickly said ok and we hung up.
Since I just graduated high school, I live with my mom. I told her I needed a doctor’s note for my managers. Here’s the problem though. My dad just retired from the military about a month ago so our insurance is changing. For the time being, while our application for retired veteran benefits is pending, my family has no health insurance. So I can’t afford to go to the doctor. I have a stomach bug or a cold. I can’t spend hundreds of dollars and have my mom drive to Dallas so that my doctor can tell me “you have a cold. Drink some tea and take some decongestant.”
Long story short, I didn’t go to the doctor. My manager will just have to be understanding.
The problem here is that food service employees are expected to come to work sick. I have the privilege of being able to technically afford a day off. I don’t pay rent or utility bills so missing one day doesn’t ruin me financially. My mom could have driven me to the doctor if I was really, really sick. Other employees may or may not have that privilege. Some have kids and most have bills to pay.
I ate Whataburger for dinner last night and my mom and I both got sick. The worker who made our meal was probably also sick and we got what they had. Most food service employees do come to work sick. I’ve seen it at my own place of business and I’ve met employees of other restaurants that admit they go to work when they’re sick.
Food service workers aren’t given benefits or decent pay. We make $2.13/hour + tips and deal with some of the worst people. Yet we handle food and money and drinks. One sick employee can contaminate an entire restaurant.
People look at servers as beneath them- as servants and idiots who can’t do anything else. My coworkers are mostly paying their way through college- two of them are starting grad school in the fall. But being a server is hard work and we get the short end of the stick in every account.
I still don’t feel well, I’m feverish and nauseous. My throat is still red and swollen. But I’ll be at work tomorrow anyway and I’ll be begging my manager to understand my situation with health insurance. I’ll be guzzling down hot tea with honey to sooth my throat and drying out my hands with soap and sanitizer. I’ll be hoping I don’t get anyone sick or contaminate any food. But I’ll be at work anyway. Most food service workers go to work sick.
BlueGirl, RedState 