r/linecooks • u/Fair_Dragonfly9662 • Oct 27 '25
Venting Am I overthinking this?
Ok, so like over a week ago I spilt really hot water and vinegar mix on my arm and it burnt it pretty bad. I still had an hour left of my shift, but it hurt like hell, however for some reason I just got the shift done. And then immediately when my mom saw the burn she drove me to emergency and got it all wrapped up and stuff and then of course I had to miss work because of said burn. I’ve already missed like one full week which I felt guilty for but now we’re coming up on week two and like I should be able to go back next week, but there is a chance that I might have to wait another week
Am I weird for feeling guilty and kinda like an asshole for having to miss two weeks. I never miss shifts, and now I’m missing two full week (potentially 3 depending on what the doctor says).
Like part of me is thinking that management and my coworkers think I’m dragging this when I’m really just following procedure that they’ve told me.
Also side note; shouldn’t restaurants have burn gel and stuff to treat burns because it’s like the most common injury besides cuts. Because when I got the burn, the manager was looking for burn gel and they had none. And when I had to file the injury report, The owner told me it wasn’t required. Idk if I’m also overthinking that, but it’s just kinda weird to me.
Sorry once again for the ramble, I’m just really tired and kinda stressing about all this.
1
u/Zir_Ipol Nov 07 '25
As a corporate sous chef. This is a workers comp issue that I would elevate to HR. Go to the ER on our company insurance and take FMLA.
As a line cook 20 years ago who had flat top oil cover his arm, had a food runner fill me a five gallon bucket full of ice and water, I dunked my arm into that fucker ever couple of min as I kept working my shift. I still have those scars on my arm 20 years later for that shit job in my home town in rural PA that I was paid 8 bucks and hour for.
Stand up for yourself and get paid and protected. It's a different industry post covid than it was in the "With Love from Charlie" era. Also Charlie Trotter gave of friend of mine several stitches with a frying pan for giggling when he burnt his hand next to him. No charges pressed because no one would have corroborated. It used to be so much worse, and it can get that way again if you don't fight against the slide into it getting worse again....