5.1 Background on the Social Issue

Stress at work can affect a person’s productivity and job satisfaction as well as negatively impact their mental health. Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression caused by work will also affect every other aspect of a person’s life.

While many workplaces are stressful, restaurants are considered particularly difficult, stressful places to work. Restaurant workers often experience anxiety, tension, sleep deprivation, overwork, competitiveness, verbal abuse and a chaotic environment. Not all restaurant businesses last, leading to workers to feel vulnerable and worried that the business will close and they will lose their jobs. Staff also often work long hours with inconsistent pay and schedules. Dealing with customers and relying on tips for a significant portion of one’s income is “precarious” work that is associated with stress and depression (Curley, 2018). In fact, people in the restaurant industry contend that a severe mental health crisis is happening behind the scenes and that it is not discussed enough (Akhtar, 2016). As a response to this situation, some websites and support groups for restaurant workers have been created to improve restaurant work culture (FairKitchens, n.d.).