ULPT: How to look busy when there's nothing to do?
Posted by _bagelcherry_@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 42 comments
I work in a fast food restaurant and i get paid by hour.
Sometimes i literally run out of tasks to do and i just sit somewhere. Then my manager sends me home earlier.
It's not ideal, because less hours in job=less money on my bank account
Green_Yesterday3054@reddit
If there’s time to lean, there’s time to clean.
metalflygon08@reddit
If there's time to talk there's time to stock!
erisod@reddit
Don't sit somewhere. Do something useful. Pick up trash, pull weeds, clean windows, restock something, wipe a counter.
Forward-Surprise1192@reddit
Do you know where you’re at right now?
metalflygon08@reddit
Is this the Krusty Krab?
Optimal_Shirt6637@reddit
Sir, this is a Wendy’s
Forward-Surprise1192@reddit
No this is Patrick
vonhoother@reddit
Clean something. Or look like you're cleaning something. There's always something to clean. Bonus points if cleaning it means taking steps that will have to be reversed, like putting chairs on tables. First you put up the chairs; then you sweep; then you mop; then you put the chairs back on the floor; then you make sure they're all perfectly lined up. The trick is to keep moving.
Thrwaqway@reddit
AND clean the chairs! Underside too lol
crustyflute@reddit
that’s honestly the classic move.
svh01973@reddit
OP can even discretely make some minor messes that need to be cleaned. Splash some drink on the floor under a table, then you have to mop.
Particular_Shock_554@reddit
If the table wobbles, you can fix it indefinitely.
housevil@reddit
When paid by the hour, work expands to fill the time allotted for it.
kevinh456@reddit
Always have a reason for what you're doing too. There was something wrong with it and you just fixed it up before they could even notice.
Tandom@reddit
At my local Taco Bell someone goes full OCD on the sauce packet bins out front and they always look eat and tidy and awesome.
When I go elsewhere and see a squished jumbo bin of random packets/sauces/ketchup I makes me sad.
Alternative-Golf8281@reddit
Wipe down shelves, walls, sweep the walk in, ... do them slowly until a customer walks in.
Soggy-Attempt@reddit
Relabel the freeze Clean something that’s already clean Check restrooms
GooseGosselin@reddit
One of the best pieces of advice I've ever received, from an old timer....if there's nothing to do, pick up a broom. I did, and sure enough the job finished early and everyone was hanging around doing nothing, so the boss sent everyone home, except for me.....I was "sweeping up".
Mysterious-Status-44@reddit
“If You’ve Got Time to Lean, You’ve Got Time to Clean” -Ray Kroc
billymumfreydownfall@reddit
You got time to lean, you got time to clean.
in_the_cabbage@reddit
Costsanza says “always look annoyed. Everyone always thinks I’m extremely busy because I look annoyed whenever I’m in the office”
OuttHouseMouse@reddit
Yea pretty much just take your time at your leisure at work. Who tf wants to work hard for a place like a resturaunt anyways. The pay is low, so should be your effort.
Take plenty of short breaks
MacintoshEddie@reddit
Learn from the bartenders, they can wipe down a countertop for hours and still have more countertop to wipe.
Sea_Substance9163@reddit
If you have time to lean, you have ti.e to clean. Boss at my first (fast food) job.
Unkindly-bread@reddit
There’s always something to clean.
I learned this better when I was in the Navy and there was always something to paint!
HotdawgSizzle@reddit
Hide in the bathroom, have cleaning supplies in hand at all times but barely clean anything.
mattsl@reddit
It makes me really happy that when asked for unethical tips the consensus response is the Boomer catch phrase "Time to lean time to clean". Cleaning even when it's not needed is unethical. Rewarding people who look busy but aren't productive is unethical.
GoodMilk_GoneBad@reddit
If I'm being watched and hourly, I'm not going to give them a reason to cut me early if I want that money.
So yeah, the appearance of keeping busy on my own initiative is going to keep me from being sent home and getting an even shittier paycheck.
Sk8r_2_shredder@reddit
Considering the sub we are in. Don’t give yourself more work. If the employer wants to punish you for being quick to complete tasks (send you home or find you more work to add to your list of responsibilities), then slow down and take your time in the tasks that you do complete. Don’t slow so much that you won’t complete everything asked of you within your shift. But don’t make it so that the boss will automatically think of you everytime they need something done. Eventually you become the go-to person to dump extra work on. And if you’re paid by the hour there is no reason for you to bust your ass to get more done in a day. Employers need to understand the value of paying employees what they are worth.
sfdsquid@reddit
"you got time to lean, you got time to clean."
Have a rag in your hand and wipe something.
electrofunkit@reddit
Polished the cutlery
JokersGal08@reddit
Time to lean time to clean as they like to say. Grab a broom and slow dance across the building.
DEADFLY6@reddit
Like the guy on Electric Boogaloo.
Forward-Surprise1192@reddit
Ok this sub is fucked with answers like this lmao.
GoodMilk_GoneBad@reddit
I've never been in a fast food place that didn't need some cleaning, mostly detailed cleaning.
Dust signage, get into the nooks of corners and get rid of the junk that piles up. Wipe windowsills, spot clean around table legs.
You want the hours, you make busy work.
Forward-Surprise1192@reddit
You guys in this post are some of the lamest mfers I’ve ever seen on Reddit for this sub
archos1gnis@reddit
Work slower, do each job very thoroughly, but not necessarily at maximum efficiency.
Shadoze_@reddit
Yep, never work yourself out of a job
LOUDPACK_MASTERCHEF@reddit
do you have any coworkers you can goof off with
ajkimmins@reddit
Pick up a rag and clean the spot... Wherever you're standing. You'll clean that spot for hours, but you're busy!
Helpful_Location7540@reddit
Grab a rag or a broom and wave it around lord your doing something.
caffeineshakesthe2nd@reddit
Work slower. Dishes, floors, any prep work for the next day, all slower. Breaking down boxes. Cigarette breaks.