What are your personal opinions on this? Should I leave this job?

[zeitgeist057]

I was at work the other day and I was in the kitchen (it's a residential facility) cleaning up and looking at the mess other people leave behind and it seems I'm always cleaning up. People take the trash out of a garbage bin and don't put a liner back in, then other people throw garbage in the bin with no liner. Sometimes dirty diapers. Now the whole can has to be cleaned and disinfected because one person was too lazy to put in a liner and another person was too lazy to give a *)#!. So anyway, my point is I feel you, I am doing more work so others can do less work and it doesn't feel fulfilling.

But I started to think about it and I realized I have a couple options.
1. I can keep getting upset about it, and keep doing more so that others can do less.
2. I can start doing less like everyone else, and just let things fall to (*@!.
3. I can keep doing what I do, and stay calm about it.

I chose #3, and I also told myself having been in so many different types of work, from restaurants to ski resorts, firefighting to medical, there are always going to be other workers, subordinates and supervisors who make life more difficult for you. But it's not your job to change them or even stress out about them. It's about getting my job done and doing what I can to stay in a centered place while chaos swirls around me. To get caught up in the chaos is to get stressed out and lose myself; I don't need that.

To answer your question, I think you should look for another job, but keep the one you have for now. Try to see the situation clearly with objectivity, and don't stress about other people if you can help it. There will be slackers no matter where you work, unless you don't work with others. There will be bullies. There will be problems. The solution is to do your work to the best of your ability, and don't let those other things trouble you. Remain calm, professional, grounded.

My other suggestion would be to get out of the restaurant industry entirely. I worked as a dishwasher, chef, bartender, and server. Restaurants are some of the most drama and stressed out people ever, and the money you make is not worth it, even when it's good. I am in healthcare now, and the money is as good or better with way less stress, way more skills I'm learning and a solid progress towards better and better wages all the time with continued education. I used to make $100-$300/day but very dependent on tips and not stable, plus all the stress. Now I make $300-$500/day and often have time during my shifts to work on school work. Sometimes my work is as simple as helping someone with a disability to take a shower, brush teeth, or play a game with them like Chutes and Ladders. Compare that to hustling on your feet all day with customers getting upset, coworkers bagging, etc.

[Maspolomas]

If it’s a chain restaurant go above the management there talk to a regional manager or call corporate. If it’s a local restaurant then when your shift is done cash out and leave my kid used to be like you and now he just say my shift is over cash me out I’m going home and shorten your availability. If they value you then they’ll accommodate you

[Sia_nee]

Find a new job and leave.