Free Resources for Restaurant Workers

Aug 9

by Sarah Travis | Aug 9, 2023 | Craft Serving, LLC

THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY

Prior to the pandemic, the foodservice and restaurant industry was the Nation’s second-largest private-sector employer, providing jobs for 10% of the total U.S. workforce.

Restaurants struggled financially during the pandemic but innovated and adapted quickly, nonetheless. Since the recovery, inflation and supply chain shortages have presented a new set of challenges.

Currently, the restaurant industry is the Nation’s fastest growing industry. Unfortunately, much of that growth has not benefited its workforce.

PROBLEMS FACING RESTAURANT WORKERS

With no disrespect to hardworking restaurant owners, restaurant workers face a plethora of problems and often have very limited resources to deal with them.

Partially related to tight profit margins on food (a perishable resource), restaurants are notorious for paying low hourly wages. Many restaurant workers rely on tips, which can be inconsistent and unpredictable. Lack of employment benefits such as access to childcare and paid time off lead to further financial instability.

Even when a business offers health insurance, employees might not be able to afford it. Meanwhile, restaurant employees consistently have some of the highest rates of workplace injuries.

In an industry of over 9 million restaurant workers, unfair and unpredictable work scheduling practices are widespread, including less than one week notice on schedules and frequent changes to their schedule.

Women comprise a majority of the hospitality and food service industries. Often in tipped positions, they account for 14 percent of ALL sexual harassment claims – the most of any industry.

Although people of color make up almost half the restaurant workforce, many still face racial discrimination and occupational segregation in the industry. For example, white workers are more likely to work in higher-paying, front-of-the-house positions.

Long hours, physically demanding work and burnout have also caused some to experience mental health and/or substance use challenges.