Warning: Missing argument 2 for wpdb::prepare(), called in /home/natural1/public_html/the-culturalcreatives.org/wp-content/plugins/bloggerhigh_seo/bloggerhigh_seo_include.php on line 1165 and defined in /home/natural1/public_html/the-culturalcreatives.org/wp-includes/wp-db.php on line 990
Gabriel Asked: Drinking water in the workplace?
I am assisting the president of a successful franchise restaurant to evaluate the notion of allowing the serving staff of the corporation to drink water in their primary working quarters.
Currently, they are able to run to the kitchen to drink water, but due to the number of customers they serve and the outstanding quality of service that they provide, it is actually quite impractical for them to do so. Especially if they want to live up to the standards that the company expects of their employees.
I am suggesting that they allow the serving staff to drink water in their respective serving stations which are isolated from the customers eyes, but not impossible for the customer to see them in.
The water would be consumed from a clear container so that any customers would know that it is water and no other beverage. Trying to think of a practical method to avoid thousands of plastic bottles, but not the main issue at the moment.
My main argument is centered on these following points:
1)The employees will be hugely appreciative that their employer is taking such consideration for their health and well being, as such will be inclined to serve the customers better and will, in general, be healthier
2)A very important thing in the restaurant industry is to have the trust of your clients. You don't earn trust by hiding the fact that your serving staff are human and have human needs in order to survive. Drinking of water in a clean and non-service impeding manner is in no way something socially unacceptable.
2b) Showing that the company takes care of their employees by taking a "risky move" like this, may actually help people believe that the company actually cares of them as customers, as well.
3) The world is changing. There may be the occasional "old fashioned" customer who will sneer at their serving staff meeting their basic human needs, but it's not like I'm saying that they should be lounging around the customers and slacking off as they please. In my opinion, the majority of customers will understand and think nearly nothing more of it than humans are indeed human.
How do you feel about this?
Do you agree? Disagree? Any and all feedback is appreciated. I must present a strong case to have a chance at success on this, and any argument here prepares me for one by the deciding partners.
Thank you very much for your time and I look forward to hearing your opinions!
Answers:
Ask your employer to install a water cooler with plastic cups.
Must be a pretty tight fisted employer to have not already
thought about his/her employees prior to this.
Given the amount of time the serving staff spends going into the kitchen to place/pick up orders I don't see why this is so impractical to just have a drink of water there.Just have a water cooler with paper cups located in a corner close to the entrance so the staff can take a quick drink of water if they feel thirsty.This way it avoids any perception you think customers may have that the employee is slacking off and standing at their work station just drinking water and not coming immediately to their table to serve them.