What should i do?

[benny3008]

I have been a KP at the pub in which i work but have recently (2-3 months ago) started training as a chef, My boss has asked me to do my first cheffing shift on my own this Saturday lunchtime, when she asked me if i would do the shift, i asked her if my wage would be increased for it (I am currently on minimum wage - £3.57 for the position of KP) to which she replied that my wage would not be increased and she seemed surprised that i even asked! I personally feel that considering i am doing the job of a chef on Saturday as well as the job of KP on the same shift i should be paid at least something extra. She gave me the option to not do the shift when i expressed my unhappiness toward her decision. I have since told her that i would do the shift but, it is not to happen again, i.e. next time they want me to do cheffing on my own, i want to be on a chefs wage, i thought that this time, i would do it as a favour. :-) today, my other boss asked for a chat about the issue and lectured me on the way they are so generous and how the sun shines out of his s0dding @rse! all they could do is defend themselves and claim that they are doing me a favour by training me as a chef in the first place, when its actually me doing them a favour, i work for £3.57 with another chef while also doing the job of a KP, so....I'm actually quite cheap to employ! they have said, they might cancel the Saturday lunch service because i have expressed my opinion of the matter. now i am left indecisive, in one way, i dont want to let it affect me but then in another, i just want to tell them to shove the job up their @rse! I really dont know what to do, i dont want them to think that they can take advantage of me. :-(

[sherrardk]

Have you thought of contacting all the other pubs that you can reasonably get to and telling them of your experience, etc - when we had our pub we had a Polish KP who kept disappearing and we would have loved to have a 'back-up' KP. If you think about it, there are quite a few pubs around which are hard to get to by public transport and there aren't many 16 year olds with their own transport.

[poodicat]

I agree benny,that you should get a commis chef rate,but sadly in this world some people get a higher wage than you and do the same job,its happening at my work,but maybe not as extreme as at your work!

[benny3008]

To be honest, i dont really want to go back to being a KP, it was boring, it seems so silly considering i could be doing something i enjoy. i am hoping to find another job in cheffing or something in the motor trade but as many people have said, im just going to hang in there until something comes up.

[poodicat]

Not thought about doing chef training through your local college,they have alot of contacts in the food business hen it comes to part time work in that industry!

[karma22]

hanging in there with you matey!

[benny3008]

if i started chef training at college, i would have to give up the course im doing in motor vehicle engineering which i want to continue doing, hence i would like a job in the motor trade.

[poodicat]

Didnt realise your were at college doing motor engineering,you said cheffing firstly

[benny3008]

yeh, sorry, didnt mention that. cheffing was an opportunity given to me and it felt stupid to decline so i accepted the offer. i was going to use it as a back up in the future if i ever needed it, i have the experience there already. :-) thinking ahead. lol

[society]

Benny, I understand exactly what you are faced with. I'm sure most working folk have experienced unfairness on the job especially in the salary department. Since you've accepted the offer to chef on Saturday, follow through with the job and do a darn good job of it. At the end of the day when the job is completed and hopefully your employer will express their gratitude of you doing such a fine job, then use that opportunity to inform them you will not work for that pay again if you have to be the chef.

Think how good the title of chef would look on you CV; experience is a valid factor and so important when applying for a job. I know the wage is crap but you'll have that experience for the rest of your life, and it’ll boost your CV.

[eloisey]

Hello,
What sort of training are they giving you? Food handlers should be instructed and trained in food hygiene so you can handle food safely.
From my experience in catering that sounds like to much work to be a chef and a kitchen porter at the same time.
If you decide to look for other catering jobs get a copy of the caterer and hotel keeper magazine.

[tamborine]

16y old on £3.75ph; at least you're earning. Those who knock the income dont pay your wages. Either stay with the employer or find another who pays more; it's all in your hands. Most have begun working life younger and for a lot less.

Your employer may give you a bonus for the extra work, if he values you?

[joko]

if they are to pay chefs rates then they may as well hire a pro chef...if i could afford a top decorator for instance i would not hire my uncle who is a bit handy with a brush an pay him as a pro, would i?...
you will bw unlikely to get to run a kitchen agaain for many years so id take the opportinuity an make the most of it -for experience and your cv....