Random Toughest Service Industry Jobs (13 items)

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  (#1) Call Center Employee

  When your laptop is permanently frozen, your bank lands you with a random fee, or the cable is out for the hundredth time, you may be outraged as you call the 800 number for help. But the person on the other end of the phone isn't the person who caused the problem. In fact, they are trying to help you.

  Working in a call center is hard. By default, every person you speak to either has an issue with your service, or you have to sell them something. On the sales end of the industry, the job can make you feel like you're taking advantage of people. One call center employee noted: 

  The worst experience was [taking calls at the] credit card company because most of the people were elderly and I felt bad selling them an online credit card they probably wouldn't use. I quit that job about two weeks after I started because I had morals.
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  (#2) Septic Tank Servicer

  If you're having trouble with your sewage system, a septic tank servicer comes to help. Dealing with sewage is easier than it was in the past, but technicians still have to get their hands dirty. They climb into small, unsanitary places and do all sorts of he dirty work. Plus, they have to deal with frustrated home owners. Richard Rosano, owner of R.W. Rosano Excavation and Septic Specialists, said hiring for his latest tank servicer position took nine months because the job was so intensive. The starting hourly wage was $17.
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  (#3) Window Washer

  Window washers have behind-the-scenes service jobs that almost always involve scary heights. Window washers also face daily exposure to chemicals, weather, and other malignant elements. Injury rates are high; about eight window washers in New York City are involved in accidents each year, and 75 died on the job there between 1983 and 2008. 

  These workers must all deal with the pressure of being watched by people on the other side of the windows.
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  (#4) Restaurant Server

  Being a restaurant server is tiring. Research has shown that while highly lauded jobs may seem challenging, work-related stress is largely dependent on whether or not your job allows you to feel in control and respected. Dealing with rude, demanding restaurant clientele, is emotionally draining work, and servers can't really expect to be in control of their work environments. 

  On top of that, serving is also physically demanding. Food service employees who track their steps claim to walk at least six miles per shift while carrying heavy plates and trays. 
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  (#5) Head Chef

  Head chefs don't typically encounter the general public, but being in the kitchen isn't exactly easy. The chef may not have to deal with an angry customer, but if the food is cold or allergy mistakes are made, there's only one person responsible. The job is extremely fast paced and demanding job, but it may only pay $13.50 an hour for a 40 hour work week. PayScales 2015 restaurant report noted that only 62% of head chefs are satisfied with their jobs. Only 25% of those workers described their job as low stress. 
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  (#6) Barista

  Baristas deal with cranky people who haven't have had their morning caffeine. To deal with crazy customized orders and people who want their drinks remade multiple times, you must have a lot of patience. One Starbucks barista said the worst customers were "the ones who felt their drink was wrong and... remarked to a friend with them... 'How hard can it be?'"

  Indeed, being undervalued and underestimated can be extremely stressful. But, at least baristas  have coffee to help them through the day!
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  (#7) Bartender

  Bartenders are on their feet for long periods of time, multi-tasking and working late into the night. On top of that, they deal with drunk customers all the time. Many women and men in this industry also deal with sexual harassment from customers.  One bartender explained:

  The thing that makes me feel the most powerless is when I react to a compliment by saying, "Thank you" and walking away because I'm uncomfortable, and someone will say, "Man, women just don't know how to take a compliment anymore." It's like they're nostalgic for a time when they could harass women freely.
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  (#8) Retail Woker

  Customers constantly complain about prices and parents let their children run wild; no wonder working in retail is challenging. Retail employees endure long hours, demanding shoppers, and low wages. Plus they have to keep stores under control during the holiday season; working retail around Christmas means juggling late hours while everyone else attends holiday parties or family functions.
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  (#9) Mail Carrier

  Some people assume postal workers have the best job in the world. They're always outside; they exercise; and they meet new people every day. But Amazon Prime and online shopping create more and more packages. The mail carrier workload constantly increases, especially around the holidays. One postal worker shared: 

  Normally we would expect to carry mail to around 85% of households; at Christmas it is nearly 100%. Normally we would expect to deliver between one and three items per household; at Christmas it could be 30 or 40. Ordinarily we take out 30 parcels - at Christmas it could be 150."

  That's a lot of heavy lifting, and a lot of pressure to make sure that everyone gets their gifts. 
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  (#10) Diaper Service Worker

  Financial concerns, as well as a rising awareness of environmental issues, have driven many parents to switch from disposable diapers to reusable cloth diapers. This change has driven up the number of cloth diaper cleaning services, according to Judy Aagard, a board member at the Real Diaper Industry Association. Diaper service workers pick up used diapers from clients' homes, clean them, and return them. 

  “It’s a very dirty job. It’s disgusting,” says Laura Gately of cloth diaper washing service Blessed Bums Organic Diaper Service.
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  (#11) Table Busser

  Table bussers do not have glamorous jobs. The job has all the stress of working in a fast paced environment, with few of the perks. Bussers usually get small portions of the restaurant tips, but they generally only make minimum wage. These employees run around the restaurant clearing tables, carrying heavy bins, and washing dishes. Their clothes get stained; their legs get tired legs; and their arms are often sore. 
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  (#12) Hair Stylist

  Being a hair stylist may seem fun, but the job is not completely glamorous. Salon workers stand on their feet all day and perform repetitive motions that could lead to serious injury. One stylist claimed:

  Many of my stylist friends have had carpal tunnel surgeries, shoulder replacements, arthritis, and years of physical therapy to combat the wear and tear on their bodies.

  These employees also tend to double as therapists; they listen to all of their clients' drama. A hairdresser noted: 

  Knowing about people's infidelities, drama, and the overall stress in their lives can be overwhelming on a stylist's brain.
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  (#13) Meter Reader

  Everyone hates to encounter parking meter readers. In fact, few government employees are more despised than those who work with parking enforcement. Meter readers are just doing their jobs, but they often face major scrutiny and harassment from civilians. One meter reader in New Hampshire was followed to a restroom and called a liar and a thief by someone she ticketed. According to the Fiscal Times, in 2011, the average meter reader only made $10 an hour.

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