Written by Cora Fisher, Staff Writer/Cartoonist
Safety protocols in workplaces have changed since the start of the coronavirus, which has made life for many teen employees more challenging and at times unpleasant.
“Since COVID-19, things are quite different at my work, due to having to alternate tables. Now there’s a lot less seating, which can be challenging at times when we’re really busy,” said Nadia Covelli, a Communications junior and hostess at Chili’s.
While implementing some safety protocols has been easy for workers, the public’s response to the rules has been harder to predict and manage, teen workers said.
In addition to the mandatory mask mandate, which is in effect through Nov. 21, rules such as increased sanitation and social distancing remain.
“I’ve definitely had some negative experiences with people due to the new changes and regulations that are in place now for COVID,” Covelli said. “Lots of people will not realize that the tables are separated for a reason and will be confused when they see a lot of tables open, but there’s currently a wait or that they can’t get the table that they asked for.”
All the menus need to be disinfected before she can use them again, so that’s another task she has to worry about doing now.
“From my personal experience, I didn’t really have too much to adjust to since I didn’t work at my job before Covid. It can still definitely be a lot though,” Covelli said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends businesses conduct daily health checks, implement social distancing, and improve ventilation. Health officials also encourage disinfecting surfaces that are interacted with on a daily basis, such as tables, doorknobs, and countertops.
As businesses enforce new rules to keep their workplaces, customers, and employees safe, some customers haven’t been cooperative.
“It’s not difficult to adapt to the changes,” Leticia Santos, a Communications senior and hostess at the Milwaukee Burger Company, said.
But Santos has had her share of customers who disagree with her on that point.
“Many [customers] have walked out after telling them to put on a mask,” Santos said. “One even coughed on the door that I was wiping down because he was ‘tired of the ‘rona situation.’”
“I can’t have more than six people at a table right now no matter what, so I have to split parties and families up all the time, and this is probably the guideline that people don’t understand and get angry about the most,” she said. “People are typically already pretty rude to hosts, so when they act disrespectfully towards the COVID guidelines, it can really take a toll on me emotionally, especially because there’s nothing I can do about the guidelines.”
It is important to remember that the guidelines are in place not only for customers, but for the employees as well.
“I wish that people would be more understanding that there’s nothing anyone can do right now about altering or changing the guidelines for the convenience of the customers…” Covelli said. “The staff is just as frustrated with them as you are, but it’s something that just has to be done and followed right now.”