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That can make it challenging to plan for childcare or a second job, she said. They are expected to work unpredictable hours at a moment’s notice, for example. There are plenty of reasons for restaurant workers to walk away from their jobs, Givan noted. “And so that can perpetuate the high quit rates.”
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And if restaurants are short-staffed … the jobs are worse, and they’re harder,” she said. When quit rates are high, “there’s a feedback loop,” said Rebecca Givan, an associate professor of labor studies and employment relations at Rutgers’ School of Management and Labor Issues. To keep them on board, restaurants may have to improve what they offer. With a high rate of employees quitting, more could follow, according to those who study labor relations, perpetuating the high rates. “Trying to put on that friendly demeanor, even in the face of work stress and hostile customers, is linked to turnover,” she added. “People had to actually work harder to show that they were friendly and welcoming, despite the fact that their smile was covered up by a mask,” said Alicia Ann Grandey, a psychology professor at Penn State who specializes in labor issues. On top of that, they had to police customers who pushed back on mask or social distancing policies - without risking losing tips by offending or upsetting them. Servers in particular put themselves at risk of contracting Covid-19 by interacting with customers. Restaurants are hiring workers as they reopen their doors.