("International School of Bangkok")
The Grind at ISB High School is a bustling hub where students can order a wide variety of drinks and food. It's a place many students visit almost every day. However, despite this, most students don't know the names of the Grind workers.
ISB promotes collaboration and community engagement among its students, but a recent survey from ISB students and the Epicure staff has questioned how well students know the staff. In a survey of ISB students, 75% responded that they did not know the names of the Grind workers, even though their names are written on the back of their uniforms.
When interviewing ISB student Vanille Newman, an ISB student who visits the Grind twice a day. Vanille Newman offers a window into students' knowledge of the Grind workers. When asked about their working hours, Newman replies "5 days a week, from 7 am to 3 pm" 57% of ISB students said the same in a survey. This suggests that many students may not have a personal connection with the workers. Because grind workers work 6 days a week, from 5 am to 3 pm every day.
Vanille's experience raises the question of whether students at ISB are aware of the lives and struggles of the Grind workers who serve them every day. While some students may interact with the workers more than others, the lack of knowledge about their names and personal stories suggests a disconnect between the two groups.
Despite these communication gaps, the Grind employees work hard to provide exceptional service to students. They work six days a week for ten hours, for a total of 220 days a year. They receive benefits such as healthcare and social security, and they also have the flexibility to take school holidays and receive 30 days of paid sick leave, as required by Thai law. During the interview, Mr. Ben Hartner, COO of Epicure, also praised Epicure staff for their loyalty, as he states “We work hard and we come to work whenever the school is in operation”.
However, there is a discrepancy in wages based on the job position. Epicure's cleaning staff earns minimum wage. Our survey indicated that some students assume that "earning minimum wage" means more than 1,000 baht per day when it is 300 baht per day. Higher position jobs such as lead chef earn a higher wage. According to the ISB student survey, 95% of students believe the Grind workers are paid minimum wage.
Overcoming the challenges they face, the Grind workers are dedicated to their jobs. For example, Khun Kwang is a dedicated employee of ISB, having worked there for over 12 years, she works six days a week for ten hours every day, from 5 am to 3 pm, to support her husband and son living in Nonthaburi. However, she misses her parents who have passed away, and looks forward to spending quality time with her family when she is not at work. Kwang starts her day by driving to school on her motorbike, which takes only five minutes. She takes pride in her work and has seen ISB grow along with the students. Kwang expresses “ I enjoy my job here, but every day I face new challenges with my job”. Kwangs quote suggests that the challenges she experiences are ongoing and unpredictable. Her job requires her to be adaptable and flexible, and she must be able to think creatively and problem-solve regularly. Despite these challenges, Kwang maintains a positive attitude toward her job and expresses enjoyment in it.
Annabell, another grind worker at ISB, runs her bubble tea shop nearby Nichada. Regardless of having worked at ISB for over twelve years, she opened her shop only eight years ago with the help of her family. Annabell manages to work ten hours a day for six days at ISB and also runs her own business, which is a testament to her hard work and dedication. However, Annabell faces challenges due to the language barrier between her and the students. When asked Anne her greatest struggle, she replies: "The language, many students speak English and it is difficult to understand sometimes. I want to learn English to be able to talk with the students." She is determined to learn English but finds it difficult to take classes due to her busy schedule. She tries to improve her language skills by listening to the students and her surroundings. ISB students do offer the English Service Project class designed to help local staff develop English skills. However, the class timings present challenges for grind workers.
Both Kwang and Annabell play an important role in the lives of ISB students, providing them with delicious food and drinks. Despite the challenges they face, they continue to work tirelessly to support their families and make a difference in the lives of those around them. Their dedication and hard work are truly inspiring.
The Grind workers have interesting lives outside of work, but most students don't know about them. It's essential to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication of the Grind workers who provide essential services to the ISB community. By bridging the communication gap between students and staff, ISB can create a stronger sense of community and foster greater collaboration among its members.