Talking To People Who Work In...A Fast Food Chain

Who: Tom
Where: Burger King in Colchester, Essex

Tom has been with BK in Colchester for 2 years. He has just finished his A levels and is about to go to University.

Why work in BK?
I like pressure and urgency in a job as well as working in a team.

How did you get to hear about the job?
Through a friend working at BK, at the time of the vacancy.

What does a typical shift involve?
Well I come in at 5.50 for a 6.00pm start, change into uniform and then find out where I'm assigned. If I'm on the till I collect and count the float and sign in on the till. Then between 6 - 11.30 pm, if I'm on the till, I'll get an hour break with a meal provided, which is nice. You're on your feet the whole time, but you do get used to it. It can be very busy, like on a Saturday night when you can take over £1000 per hour on one till, which is a lot of burgers! Between 11.30 - 12.30pm we close the store and/or help clean up, to get the store ready for the next day. There is a rota of cleaning for the equipment and everything must be spotless, so everyone mucks in. At 12.30pm I cycle home.

Are there any real problem issues?
None really, you can get problems with customers, especially drunks, but we refer those to the managers. You might also get questions about ingredients (worth finding out about that, before you go on the till) even complaints, but again the managers deal with complaints, we just refer them.

Any Tips for survival?

You need to:

· Wear good shoes.
· Wear socks.
· Don't overheat or get dehydrated, take regular drinks, it can get warm in summer especially in the kitchens.
· Smile, it gets you a long way with the public.
· Give it your full attention and be alert especially in the kitchen.
· Give respect to the rest of the team and then you get it back.

How do you rate the job?
Excellent, I love it, I like the pressure and the urgency of the job, the time just goes. I also like being part of a team. I have really enjoyed my two years here.