Don’t bother “training”…IT’S A *%&!@#*ING JOKE!!!
Establishment: Ellis Bar
Location: Park Slope Brooklyn
I went to an open call at Ellis Bar. They said I was hired and that I could come in and train. They told me that in order to train I had to bring a crowd of people with me to my training shift. They had me come in on a Monday, and I brought out as many people as I could for a rainy Monday night (about 25 people, which as I found out, is more people than that place has at any time) I "trained" for 4 hours with another bartender, made the place and the bartender money (my friends were the only people in the place) and then was told I could go. I never received traing pay and they never called me with a schedule. Then I found out from another person who used to work there that the owner and his wife only PRETEND they are hiring people so they can bring people in to train and make them bring their friends for a night and make money off of the person. Apparently the place is so dead and doesn’t make any money that they exploit people who are in search of work and lead them to belive they have a job just to get them to bring people into the bar and spend money! That is the most pathetic disgusting way to get customers that i have ever heard of! If you see them "hiring" on craigslist (they post like once a month apparently) don’t bother going, they are dead and don’t need staff, they just want you to bring your friends in so they spend money for a night!!!
Comments
Unfortunately, that’s pretty common. Unless a restaurant is just getting ready to open, open calls are a waste of time. I’ve been a manager for about 9yrs, and was a bartender for 4yrs before that. It sucks the way owners exploit people. However, now you know, so protect yourself. I’ve been looking for work since February (at least I receive unemployment) and they even try to do it to managers. I trailed a floor manager position last week. I wound up running food for about an hour and he wanted me to trail another day before he offered me the position. I went rollerblading that day instead.
if you have an afternoon go down to the deptartment of labor in tribeca (its on varick street i believe) and file a report against them. it’ll take you about an hour and a half.
it may not get you anywhere but at the least you will have established a precedent with them which may prevent them from doing this in the future…for a little while anyway or make it easier for other people to come forward.
If you go to the DOL like fourstars suggests, download the form LS-223 which is the “Claim For Unpaid Wages” first. Just Google “New York Dept of Labor” and you’ll find it. It’ll save you lots of time. You’ll be able to get in and out of the place in about 20mins. Good luck!
This is so awful, I was actually going to go to that open call. I appreciate for posting this. More people should take the time.
WOW! Thank you so much for posting this. I was just about to go down there. Seriously, the way workers are taken advantage of in this city makes me want to cry. Or leave.
I have to get out of here for awhile. If only I had some money to leave.
I agree, open calls are a huge waste. I honestly see no point in it for establishments. A long time ago I learned that emailing my resume is the best way to go. If my expereince catches their interest, they will happily call me in for a one on one interview. And, that is how I got every job in NYC (except for the “friend” referrals). Open calls usually are for establishments that are doing shady practices. If you don’t see an “email your resume”, don’t apply. And do not send a picture, that is allowing discrimintating practices. Again, they will see what you look like on the one on one interview. Let your experience catch their eyes!
The above statement is simply not true. We hold open calls for bartenders/serving staff as needed. From time to time we want to see someone in action prior to hiring them. This is explained to them BEFORE they come in to train. We say, ‘we’d like to have you come in and see how you do. If it goes well, we’ll put you on the schedule.’ That statement is made every time to every person without fail. They come in for only a portion of a shift, maximum 2 hours. If they don’t work out, we let them know. Most of the time they do work out and are hired on for a full schedule the following week. If anyone ever had an issue about it, it would have been better to hear it from them directly. We would have been happy to explain things more clearly prior or to find a resolution following. Please come in and ask our staff, they’ll tell you the same. Sincerely, Ellis Bar
Wow… I’ve heard of having guest bartenders but to not tell this in advance is really going to a lower level. Everyone is hurting, I’m seriously getting worried now…
What are all the people in the hospitality/restaurant business going to do to make a living?