They have to wash every single dish that the restaurant uses, the heat is horrible, they often do dozens of other custodial duties, it’s thankless, tipless, and is often the lowest paying position. As someone who’s done both roles, dealing with customers sucks, but washing dishes is way way harder.
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I mean technically, if you are from.the US. Most restaurants pay their dishwashers a normal wage meanwhile the servers are paid like $2 or something stupid and then their income is determined on glorified begging
So 2.35 an hour?
Working in restaurants for 10+ years. Washing dishes is the easiest job. That’s why alot of restaurants hire teenagers to do it.
Lol. No.
I wouldn’t say it’s harder, I’ve done both. It’s more physical, but it’s not exactly a physical job either, I’ve worked those too. It’s a worse job, it’s uncomfortable, it’s wet, it’s kinda stressful because of the vibe of kitchens. All you have to do is keep washing dishes though, until no dishes are left, then clean up. It’s very clear what the goal and objective is, and that is why it is undervalued and under paid. You also don’t need to be super social or professional, just show up.
That said in most cases servers are over valued and support staff under valued.
I mean for most US states the legal minimum tipped wage is way lower than the normal minimum wage.
The dishwasher is a hard job, but it is not a job that requires significant skill. I can replace a dishwasher in a heartbeat. They’re most important quality is showing up. In fact, I’ve run many nights without a dishwasher, a manager willing to get his hands dirty is and who is capable of motivating. His team to help is required, but a dishwasher not so much. Literally every other position in the restaurant takes more skill. This is not the shit on dishwashers, it is a tough job. Pets are hot and they’re wet and to be honest that’s not the most pleasant task, but it isn’t hard to learn and nothing ever changes.the
I get what you’re saying OP, the labor is definitely tougher and they can’t go beyond minimum wage since they don’t get tips like a server can. The whole “they only make $2” thing is nonsense for servers because their employer would have to pay them minimum wage regardless if tips don’t make up for it
I think every job should pay a decent wage, and especially those that are physically demanding.
From the restaurant perspective, though, which do customers care more about? a pile of dishes in the back that they will never seen? Or the customer-facing person who’s job it is to make them happy?
Working harder doesn’t mean you’ll get paid more.
I’ve also done both roles.
One takes several skills including interpersonal ones. Being a good server is not easy.
The other takes the ability to put plates on a tray and push them through a machine. Being a good dishwasher is easy.
You get paid for skills, not efforts.
Servers are the sales team.. the up front face.. go to any company that sells stuff and look at sales salaries.
Nah dude. I mean dish fish isn’t the world’s greatest job, and it is underpaid for sure. But it’s a really easy job. It’s a lot of work, but it’s all easy work with a lot of wiggle room.
I think the whole tipping thing is fucked sure. I’ve worked just about every job in a restaurant. I’d say bussing is easier, maybe some days in prep.
We had a dishwasher who was fresh out of the hospital after being literally stabbed in the heart. And he could keep up.
All restaurant employees should make more, but there’s a reason dishwashers are teenagers. Because a child can do it.
Is it harder? You don’t have to interact with anyone, you can use a washing machine to help you, and anyone can do it
A restaurant can operate without servers, but cannot operate without a dishwasher. I’ve never been a server, but I’d say serving is generally more mentally taxing, whereas dish is more physically taxing. It also depends a lot on the kind of restaurant & on whether or not they have a dishwashing machine/just a 3-compartment sink. A lot of the issue here is with who gets tips & “why.” Then again, I don’t think it makes any sense for the person handing the food off to earn tips while the person cooking it or cleaning the kitchen does not.
I disagree, as a server I occasionally washed dishes and that felt like a break.
Yes- everyone deserves a livable wage. This is only unpopular amongst MAGAts who want to see their fellow men suffer.
There’s no committee for deciding whether dishwashers should get paid more than servers or barbers or baseball players. Each job pays what it pays.
If nobody was willing to wash dishes for less than $50/hour, it would pay $50/hour. You pay just enough to get enough people who are willing to do the job, and that’s how the pay is determined.
It’s the worst job in the house, hands down.