My years working in Europe taught me the importance of a healthy work/life balance and shaped how I feel about (poor) US employment standards. I'll always remember my first cook job in Germany; I started in October and soon learned that the hotel closed six weeks yearly during the holidays. I was off during that time and paid. It blew my mind. Up to that point, in restaurants, I was used to working like a donkey six/seven days a week for peanuts.
It's true that US restaurants operate on a tight profit margin, which may limit their ability to match the generosity of European hospitality operators. However, it's hard to fathom when I see private service roles advertised in the US that are six days a week (long-term), offer minimal PTO, and lack healthcare plans or compensation. These positions are with wealthy clients who could undoubtedly provide more for their domestic support team members.
We regularly get calls from prospective clients looking for someone to work around the clock for low pay, with no healthcare and a shameful amount of PTO. No thanks.
Here is our promise to our candidates: Any full-time position that you will ever see advertised by DM Estate Staffing will offer a consistently 5-day work week, a reasonable daily work schedule, a bare minimum of 10 paid vacation days (first-year), a healthcare plan OR healthcare compensation, and paid sick days. Yes, sometimes full-time employees might be asked to work longer weeks/hours, but it should not be every week. Clients needing that much coverage should, I think, hire a second person to achieve that goal.
Let's do better!
People matter. Always.
1mowow, such a great benefit! 👌