Waiting Staff
Sodexo
From £12.60 per hour
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, EH1 1RF, United Kingdom
Part time
The Breakroom Take
- Free food
- Recommended by students
About Sodexo
Sodexo is a facilities management company. Their services include catering and social care.
Job description from Sodexo
Are you passionate about food and wine? Do you enjoy working in a five-star environment but are not so keen on working late nights?
Then Colonnades at The Signet Library would love you to join us as a Waiting Team Member in our tea room.
You will join our small yet strong team who provides friendly yet professional service in a beautiful Georgian setting. Willing to learn whilst also adapting and thriving in a high pressured environment to provide our guests a five-star experience.
Your ability to manage time, learn quickly, and adhere to standards already set will be a primary objective.
Colonnades is set within the beautiful setting of the Lower Library. A venue synonymous with excellence and royalty.
Ideally would like someone with similar experience. Coffee and tea preparation whilst also running the food and beverage service.
Someone who can manage a section and is able to stay composed during service.
Rate of Pay: £12.60 per hour + Share of weekly gratuities
Working Hours: Casual 33-39 hours per week available
Role Responsibility
- Welcoming guests, taking orders and serving beverages to guests
- Care about customer satisfaction and deliver the optimal client service experience
- Serving guests in a friendly, welcoming and efficient manner while maintaining a clean and safe work environment
- Help answer questions and make suggestions regarding food and beverage choices and related item
The Ideal Candidate
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- Being friendly yet professional
- Being a team player
- Good attention to detail and punctuality
- Being proactive is key
- Experience within a hospitality, catering or bar setting
Package Description
- £12.60 per hour
- Share of weekly gratuities
- Casual work
About the Company
Heritage Portfolio is the sub-segment of Sodexo Live! that produces outstanding catering and event services for our cultural destinations. These include exceptional "in-house" café services in some of Britain's leading visitor attractions such as V&A Dundee, The Signet Library, Portrait Gallery, private parties and dining, weddings and prestigious events.
Our mantra is "Never standing still" and as we grow and flourish in the world of bespoke events and venues, we remain true to our original ethos: to provide an amazing experience that goes beyond the remarkable food we serve. Therefore we are always looking for passionate, enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team and take pride in the work they deliver.
Job insights from Breakroom
Waiters and waitresses
Waiters and waitresses serve food and drinks to customers in restaurants and cafes
What you’ll do as a waiter or waitress:
- Serve food and drink
- Deal with customers
- Take payments
- Be responsible for health and safety
- Take orders and listen to customers
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Standing
- Physical activities
- Walking
- Wearing a uniform
- Anti-social hours
- Dealing with customers
- Using a computer
What employees say
Pay
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Needs improving
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Most people aren’t paid a living wage
Do Sodexo pay waitresses enough to live on?
Most people are not paid a living wage.
How we know this
75% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Good
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Most people are paid market rates
Do Sodexo pay waitresses market rates?
Most people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
75% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Needs improving
-
Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do waitresses at Sodexo get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
86% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get sick pay
Do Sodexo pay waitresses sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
93% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Good
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Most people don’t do unpaid extra work
Do waitresses at Sodexo do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Rarely. Most people don’t do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
69% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid work.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
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Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do waitresses get of their shift pattern at Sodexo?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 73% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 20% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 7% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 0% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Needs improving
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Most people worry about their hours
Do waitresses at Sodexo worry about hours?
Most people worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
75% of people report they worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Good
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Most people get a choice of shifts
Do waitresses at Sodexo get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
70% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Good
-
Easy to book holiday
How easy is it for waitresses to book a holiday at Sodexo?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
85% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Okay
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Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do Sodexo managers change waitresses shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
36% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Good
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Most people find it easy to take sick leave
How easy is it for waitresses to take sick leave at Sodexo?
Most people find it easy to take sick leave.
How we know this
75% of people report that it’s easy to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Good
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Most students say it’s good
Is waitresses at Sodexo job good for students?
Most students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying.
How we know this
100% of students report this is a good place to work if you’re studying.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and January 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should allow you to fit work around important things in your life, like studying.
Life isn’t just about work. Good jobs make space for you to do well in both.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do waitresses at Sodexo feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
67% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Okay
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Only some people get proper breaks
Do waitresses at Sodexo get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
67% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful for waitresses to work at Sodexo?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
71% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Good
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Most people enjoy their job
Do waitresses at Sodexo enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job.
How we know this
69% of people report they enjoy their job.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2023 and April 2025.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do waitresses at Sodexo recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
50% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 16 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do waitresses get enough training when they start at Sodexo?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
53% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Okay
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Only some people get support to progress
Are waitresses given support to progress at Sodexo?
Only some people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 50% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do waitresses think Sodexo head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
71% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t feel well informed by head office
Do waitresses feel well informed about how Sodexo is doing?
Most people don’t feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
77% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What Sodexo employees say about their job
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Best thing
Easy tasks with the right people, free food, short shifts
Worst thing
Management don’t care about employees who need to be disciplined and let them get away with murder
Food service worker at Sodexo, March 2025
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Best thing
Every day is structured and you can set your own pace within reason
Worst thing
At a certain part of the day there isn’t much more to do so it gets boring
Retail assistant at Sodexo, February 2025
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