My first job (other than babysitting) was working in a fast food restaurant, as is the case for millions or teenagers. When I was hired, I was told that my starting pay would be $2.10/hour--waitress wage--because there was the opportunity to make tips. I don't know about you, but I have never tipped anyone in a fast food establishment. As a sandwich maker, salad bar attendant, or food prep, you had virtually NO contact with the customers, and therefore no opportunities to get tips.
I found out a few weeks into the job that the male employees got $4.00/hour, because they worked the grill. However, my wages did not go up if I covered the grill, and their wages did not decrease if they covered a different area.
When I complained to the manager, I was told that it was company policy. I had zero chance of making the same wages as the boys, because their job was dangerous, and all I had to do was flirt with the customers and pull in tips. While this behavior occurs today, it was much more common in the 1980's.
I was angry that I was working just as hard--or harder--than the male employees, but making just about half the pay. When I looked for a different job, I found that many places--not only in fast food--had similar policies. The basic idea behind the policies was that males were future heads of household, while females were just killing time until they found a husband to take care of them.
Like I said, this occurred 30 years ago, but there are many companies to this day that pay employees differently depending upon their sex. The only way to insure that this will never happen is to create laws that make this practice illegal. So far, the men who hold the power do not seem all that interested in making this happen.
Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteI can understand completely what it feels to be treated unfairly because you are a woman. I myself have witnessed a similar case as yours. Just last time I went to a restaurant. There was only one waitress and three other waiters. The waitress is the one who has worked there the longest time, in fact since the beginning. The restaurant was crowded when suddenly heavy rain started to fall. In no time, the floor was flooded in the area around the door. The waitress arrived and started to wipe up and after some time the manager arrived and directed some customers there to other tables. Finally when we were checking out the waitress came to our table and she told me: "It's not easy Ma'am, this is not the first time and since the restaurant opened it is like this. But I'm the only one who is doing the cleaning all the time because the boys won’t do that". I felt it was a pity that the manager could accept this though she is a woman herself. It is as if woman has to be more exploited more than man and men are being hired in that restaurant just to impress the clientele.
Odd I never heard of fast food making tips either. Its terrible that she actually had the nerve to tell you to "flirt". You would think that would have been against company policy versus a suggestion to make more money. Saddest thing is that this said action still goes on today. Men make more than woman and always will in our society.
ReplyDeleteIt probably was against policy, but the managers were pigs. They hit on the females employees constantly, making obscene jokes and suggestions, and one even went so far as to have a relationship with one of the girls, who was still in high school.
DeleteI understand were you are coming from. I worked as a waitress for a short period of time and it drove me crazy how I would do way more work than the waiters and they made more money than I did. I never had the guts to go to the manager a ask for more money, but I'm sure I would have gotten the same answer you got.
ReplyDeleteYes Kathleen…..
ReplyDeleteThat was definitely discrimination, prejudice, microaggression… Can I think of any more? I am sure that being a victim of this type of behavior at a very young age was very upsetting. I know for myself, I got upset from just reading your Initial Post. Gender equity is very important. Men and women should be treated equally. This is a human right.
Kind Regards,
La Neisha MC