Minimum Wage Living.

For the last 5 years, after every shift I've worked, when I was leaving, my bosses would always say "Thank you." I never understood why they were thanking me, I mean I was getting paid to be there. But after being with the same company for so long, I now understand and I value it. They are just trying to say thanks for showing up and doing a good job. They're letting me know that what I do is appreciated. But beyond my actual managers, that is as far as it goes. The "CEO's" or the "Presidents" of the company could care less.

When a place gets complimented on good service, who gets the credit? The President. After all, he's the one that makes sure all goes well, right? I'll answer that, NO. It is the servers, the cooks, the dishwashers, they are the ones that make the place run. It is the people busting our butts to make sure that everyone gets fed, and that the order is right, and that every need for the guest is met, because we want them to be satisfied. When they ask for the most pain in the butt requests, we just smile and say "No problem!" And then as soon as we are in the kitchen doors, we gripe and complain about it, but that's beside the point.

The point is, we always just feel like pawns in the "CEO's" game. We are just another minimum wage worker busting our butt to buy him another vacation home or fancy car. If you have bad service, you don't get business, and if you don't get business, well then you're out of luck my friend. So why not take the time to thank the people that keep you in business. Is it that hard? A simple thank you would do. I'm not saying I wouldn't turn down a bonus, or a raise or anything but a thank you would be nice. Just to know that you're appreciated would be great. I have been with my company for almost 5 years now, working through the winter, and being a full time employee (but not technically, because then they'd have to give me benefits, God forbid) and I would bet my little paycheck that the CEO of my company doesn't even know my name. That bothers me.

When I own my business someday, my employees are going to have it made. I want to get to know the people who work for me. I want to know their families. I want them to feel like they are an asset to the company they work for, and most of all I want them to feel appreciated. I want to be able to give them raises when they deserve them, do special things for holidays, and give Christmas bonuses. To even afford to do these things for my employees, I will have to have a successful business. But I feel like you need the right mindset for that, which I believe I have, as well as good business skills, which I'm working on. Even now that I somewhat have a small business, I try to always make sure my clients, and my supporters know that they are so appreciated, because a business is nothing without clients. I guess this is my promise to never make my employees feel like they are just little workers, putting money in my pocket. So when I look back and read this someday, I will remember the way I felt and will make sure that nobody that works for me feels that way. Because feeling unappreciated is not a good feeling. But as for right now, I'm just a pawn trying to pay my own bills on my minimum wage salary, and that's just life.