In reality, I think I blew a lot of people's minds.
I work as a Sous Chef in a decent Steakhouse. Today, for some reason, the servers decided it was "Slam the Kitchen, at the same time, with family meals night."
My cooks were ready to go home, I had a rough day, and the servers made some super bank. A lot of them make as much as I do. They just hit me at the wrong time, I guess. Though, decided after an argument ensued that all servers MUST tip the Cook for their meals. Otherwise they cook it themselves.
All hell broke lose.
Basically how it started, my Lead Cook was breaking down for the weekend, which is Monday & Tuesday. The Kitchen was "closed", The Lead asked if anymore orders were coming in BEFORE he started breaking down. So he started cleaning, Family Meals start rolling in, and he was oblivious. In the walk-in cooler mopping the floor, that I told him to do. I was in the office writing my report for the Sous Chef opening on Wednesday.
From what snippets I heard, one of the servers started bitching about the time it was taking for his meal, when found out no one was cooking it, flipped a lid. Stormed into the office bitching, saying he needed to go home now, and blah blah, about his home life and he is PAYING for his food. So he expects it to be done in a timely manner.
I guess one of the other servers then told my Lead about the bitchfest. Then next thing I know, He is in the office nose to nose with the server. So I break it up, after some pulling apart, and send them off into their respective corners.
So I had some thinking to do, and the only thing I could see is this:
The server is right, he is a paying customer. He was in a hurry and needed to leave after his shift. I understand. Though, could only see a bitchy ass person the whole time. The server complains about "short tips" all the time, complains he is a "great" server and all. Constantly complains about the job, the customers, the cooks, the weather, and his sandy vagina, if you get what I mean. Dude is always "something is wrong" kind of person.
My cooks have faults for sure, but mostly don't say a word about the job they do. They make a hell of a less than the servers. Nature of the job.
So, I could only make it even, and explain it this way. "X server is right, yet. The servers here do not compensate the Cooks for the hard work they put out for the servers. The cooks are your servers in the Kitchen, they cook and serve you in the back. Since you paid and the Cooks provide a service. From now on, you tip them 15% of the meal. It will go into a jar. Every so often, I will take them to competition restaurants to scope out the scene out of the tip jar. Any left over or if none is spent, it will be split at the end of the month amongst the Cooks."
"Just understand it like this, How about Lead Cook comes in to eat on his day off. You provide him with awesome service, but he doesn't tip you. How would you feel?" Just says Thanks! Awesome! Great! or whatever and rub on the head, or pat on the back and walks out the door."
I just watched a few brains fizzle amongst the servers. They said they are going to the Owner about it. Claiming unfair and what not, but I admit I am biased about my guys and I try to look out for them as much as possible.
I just want to see whatever y'all think.
Fair or Unfair?