Personal Reflection on a Restaurant Workplace Experience

This assignment is a reflective account of a student's experience working as a waiter in an Australian restaurant during a summer break. The student describes the restaurant's systematic structure, diverse workforce, and ethical treatment of employees and customers. While the work environment was generally positive, the lack of initial training for new employees is noted as a challenge. The student felt motivated by the financial rewards, including tips, but also experienced pressure to ensure customer satisfaction and return visits. The reflection acknowledges the restaurant's efforts to motivate and appreciate workers, including a certificate of appreciation, but suggests that incentives could further enhance dedication. Overall, the experience provided valuable insights into the service industry and fostered personal growth.

Running head: REFLECTION ON WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE
REFLECTION ON WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1REFLECTION ON WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE
In summers, all colleges in Australia provide students with a long summer back. I
decided to work and earn some money during this break which made me land up as a waiter
in a restaurant near my house. I worked in this service industry for about one month and
gained a good experience. The restaurant worked systematically with different divisions and
hired employees in terms of their expertise and experience in each division. The restaurant
was a safe and secure place to work in having laws in the interest of the customers as well as
the employees. The restaurant did not give extra work to any of the employees and paid extra
for staying more than the working hours. The restaurant did not exploit their employees. The
restaurant provides fresh food and takes customer feedback seriously and has tried to make
changes in the operation and the structure according to the feedback. There were locals and
migrants working in the restaurant that made the workforce diverse. It was easy for me to
adjust to the work culture and made feel good as the workplace did cater to the needs of the
customers ethically unlike many restaurants where they have provided customer with stale
and bad quality food. The work atmosphere is professional and organized that made me want
to continue working here. Money was a big motivational factor for me as besides the salary I
would get many tips that added to my normal salary and helped me save for the near future.
The work however gave me unnecessary pressure because I felt accountable for bringing
back customers to dine in the restaurant again as in restaurants other than food another major
factor of why people choose to come back in a restaurant is because of the services and I felt
that if my work is not good the restaurant may lose their customers. The work environment of
the restaurant was positive however the problem with the restaurant is they initially do not
provide any training for people who are new to this industry thus employees find it difficult
to adjust initially. The restaurant should provide training to the employees that will help the
employees to adjust in the workplace easily and so that they can work efficiently without any
mistakes. The restaurant motivates workers and appreciates for their contribution and

2REFLECTION ON WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE
performance. I was rewarded with a certificate of appreciation for my hard work and
performance. However, I feel that the job is sometimes strenuous and the restaurant should
provide with incentives that would have made me be more motivated to do the job with more
dedication and conviction. However the workplace has been a good experience where I learnt
about the service industry and got a chance to look at the industry closely.