21 March 2010- Private Party

I usually don't work on Sundays. I've found that if I don't have at least one day off each weekend it makes the regular week seem like double length. I like to take Sundays off because it gives me no excuse to not go to church. I usually find something though and I don't go as often as I should. After a long while working at the Cedars when the members feel like they get to know you really well they will ask you to work at a private party at their home (apartment or cottage). I used to love doing this. For one thing all of their homes are immaculate. I mean these things should be in magazines. It was also interesting to just see them in a place outside of the clubhouse. Most of the time the guests at private parties are just other members, sometimes a few outsiders so I didn't feel totally awkward like some monkey butler. Recently though, these private parties have become a drag too.
Members always seem to catch you right when the fine dining director is next to you. This is key because getting permission to have an employee work outside the clubhouse has to go through him. Well, if somebody asks him when he's next to me, all he has to do is look over and be like, "well can you?"
I'm screwed. I can't stand being put on the spot like that. Sure, I could always say no. But I'm gutless in these situations and extra money can always help. So lately these damn private parties have really been a drag. I'm supposed to perform work outside the clubhouse exactly the same as in the clubhouse. SERVING. However the last few times I've done one of these, I end up doing all sorts of things so far out of my job description, sometimes even I don't know what my job title is when I leave. For instance, I've been sent out to get ice, I've helped people in and out of chairs so they can maneuver their walker (in which case I'm held liable if something goes wrong), cooked, done dishes, taken shoes ON and OFF for people. The problem is I can't say no in these situations. Literally, I'm told not to say no because "whatever the member wants" is the Cedars stance (unless it's illegal or something). Today was no different. I had been dreading this one for two main reasons. One: I'm working on a Sunday, and Two: Every time I walked down to the clubhouse from my car I saw this guy who was there reminding me that I was working.
"This is going to be your post Sunday."
or "I'm counting on you."
I'm not even clocked in yet and I'm already thinking about what's going to be doing six days from now. And as usual, the bullcrap starts immediately. Rather than list the events I'm going try to compose my thoughts in a letter to the Cedars brass I think I'm going to propose to someone for future reference. Here we go.

To Whom It May Concern,
I worked a private party today. As usual, it was totally ridiculous. I wasn't greeted with a hello or a nice to see you. Instead, before I stepped onto the property was asked "How are your muscles?"
The member had four potted plants ranging from large to very large and roughly 25 to 50 lbs. Not only was I asked to arrange these pots on a ledge, but BALANCE AND TIP TOE AROUND MULCH IN WHICH EVERY SQUARE INCH IS COVERED WITH PLANTS and warned "Don't stop on my flowers." My muscles are fine but my back has really been bothering me this week. But I can't tell the member I cannot tell the member I can't lift those pots because I'm here to work for them. Food and beverage service went along swimmingly (except for the fact I was, at one point, literally asked to be in two places at one time). After supper was served it got ridiculous though. Instead of being told to help clean up like normal, I was told to gather the folding chairs and tables and take them to the homes of the neighbors from which they were borrowed...in the rain. THEN I was asked to stay behind past the time I was scheduled to work to help them clean.
It is my responsibility to represent the Cedars well and serve the members to the best of my ability to that end within the confines of my job. I never have, nor never will I not go above and beyond my job description. However, this is getting ridiculous. Please, don't ever blindly throw me into a situation like this again. Ask the member what they will have me do and if there's something else they need help with (i.e. moving furniture, lifting heavy objects, and playing Lowe's delivery boy) to have that arranged with them through another department. You've done a lot for me Cedars, and I thank you for that, but this is becoming a problem that needs to be addressed.
Sincerely,

W Kent Bennett