2008 Woodie Awards
Marco Moved to Sky Caf but Still Remembers His Fans
Daniel Goldmintz
Issue date: 10/15/07 Section: Features
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Though for many in Yeshiva's Department of Food Services, serving up food to an endless flow of students is just a job. To Marco Figueroa, the daily grind was always something more.
"I really like the students and am very grateful I have a job. It's because of [YU] guys that I will go out of my way and be extra nice, just making sure to be myself; I'm all about you guys"
For over 14 years Marco has been a friendly and engaging fixture at the end of the food line, always bantering with students - urging them to pick the healthy vegetables over the junkier fries, swapping the latest sports news, or reminding them to work hard in school - as they moved through their thrice daily meals.
Yet recently, Marco's enjoyable routine has suffered a tumultuous turn of events.
It all began when Marco decided to go back to college, a decision which became a source of pride and elicited only words of encouragements and support from his many customer-friends. He then applied and obtained a vacant position in the Sky Cafe; on the 12th floor of Belfer Hall, taking him away from being able to interact with many of the students, but affording him the hours to return to school.
It was only after switching jobs however, that Marco found out that the moves he had taken in an attempt to secure himself a better future, had all but crippled his opportunities in the present. Though by his count he has 360.99 hours of vacation time and 262.22 in sick hours saved up from his years on the job, management refused to allow Marco to take time off, saying that due to his being in a new position, he would be unable to take leave. Yeshiva's Human Resource Department could not be reached for comment.
So despite the fact that Marco had served Yeshiva students for 14 years, he was being treated like a rookie in his new job, thereby denying him the ability to use his vacation hours during the summer, the only time such hours can be used.
"They denied me my vacation," Marco said. "That's totally wrong because I am so dedicated to you guys for years and I have all the hours to show it."
"I really like the students and am very grateful I have a job. It's because of [YU] guys that I will go out of my way and be extra nice, just making sure to be myself; I'm all about you guys"
For over 14 years Marco has been a friendly and engaging fixture at the end of the food line, always bantering with students - urging them to pick the healthy vegetables over the junkier fries, swapping the latest sports news, or reminding them to work hard in school - as they moved through their thrice daily meals.
Yet recently, Marco's enjoyable routine has suffered a tumultuous turn of events.
It all began when Marco decided to go back to college, a decision which became a source of pride and elicited only words of encouragements and support from his many customer-friends. He then applied and obtained a vacant position in the Sky Cafe; on the 12th floor of Belfer Hall, taking him away from being able to interact with many of the students, but affording him the hours to return to school.
It was only after switching jobs however, that Marco found out that the moves he had taken in an attempt to secure himself a better future, had all but crippled his opportunities in the present. Though by his count he has 360.99 hours of vacation time and 262.22 in sick hours saved up from his years on the job, management refused to allow Marco to take time off, saying that due to his being in a new position, he would be unable to take leave. Yeshiva's Human Resource Department could not be reached for comment.
So despite the fact that Marco had served Yeshiva students for 14 years, he was being treated like a rookie in his new job, thereby denying him the ability to use his vacation hours during the summer, the only time such hours can be used.
"They denied me my vacation," Marco said. "That's totally wrong because I am so dedicated to you guys for years and I have all the hours to show it."
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