bartender

security guard

customer service representative

food service counter attendant

food & beverage supervisor

Woodbine-Entertainment

This is a great place to work if you accept it for what it is - a good opportunity if you are looking for some occasional shifts at a professionally run higher end restaurant.  Tips are good, the work pace is not to hectic, and your co-workers are all mature, friendly and hard working people.  The environment is very positive and fun, and the diners are typically in good spirits and having a great time watching the races which makes the time go by quickly. 

But because it is unionized and the turnover for full time staff is extremely low, you are unlikely to get full time work or any sort of consistent hours here in a hurry, so if you are depending on this job to pay the bills, it probably is not a fit.  Even if a position does open up, there are many people on the seniority list above you.  You may be frustrated by the union environment if it is not something you are used to (opportunities are not merit based, but instead seniority based - so you can't take it personally if you don't get any shifts, or get bumped to a lower tipping party by an employee with more seniority).  Sometimes it can be stressful because you never know what awaits you when you arrive - you are not just doing the same serving job each time. You may be working a 200 person party with a buffet,  a private room of horse owners, a 20 person birthday party with a fixed menu, or serving 4 tables of 6 a la carte.  You never know until you get there so have to be ready to dive into anything.  

A lot of people use this role as supplemental income to their day job - there are people who work at the bank, in research labs, other restaurants etc full time, and just pick up lucrative shifts here where they know tips will be high (King's Plate, Corporate Christmas Parties etc.) which is nice because it makes for a diverse and experienced set of co-workers and none of the immature drama you might find at a chain restaurant.  

This place is not a bad place to work. There is lots of politics and unnecessary drama. Senior workers are stuck in their old ways and refuse to adapt to the culture change. Although they have tried very hard to do a culture change within the last 3 years I have noticed that not all departments are accepting it! They want you to conform to their old ways instead of embracing the new wave of culture. There is room for promotions which is kind of cool but it's mostly handed to 'the chosen ones'. People complain they have to work 6 days a week and then complain when they are not scheduled for the overtime. 

Alot of employees are extremely friendly (other departments) and make the effort to say hi and make you feel welcome in the hallways. 

The union is okay. I've never really had to deal with them. 

Staff meals are not ideal but hey atleast it's at cost. 

Strongly recommend going in doing your shift and getting out. Dont make friends or go the extra mile. No one cares and they won't do it for you.

I worked at Woodbine Entertainment Group for 7 years across Camera Operator, Technical Director, and Regulatory Operator roles.

Compensation was not competitive relative to the level of responsibility across each role.

Career progression was mixed in practice, with both internal promotion and external hiring decisions occurring for roles I applied to.

Role scope expanded over time, including photo finish camera operations, without corresponding structural or compensation adjustments.

Work was primarily night-based, with limited flexibility during major operational periods.

My employment ended following refusal to accept an additional ongoing job duty outside the defined role scope.

The broader horse racing industry has also experienced long-term structural decline in parts of the sector, including reduced activity and track closures, which may be relevant for individuals considering long-term career stability in this field.

Woodbine was my first job, I started of part-time while attending college. There was alot to learn there about the horse racing business. Customer service was my title, everything you do there is customer focused.

I started my job their as supervisor in 2006, it was completely different from a representative. I now was in charge of 50 + employees, Everyday was challenging, there were issues with customers as well as staff and they had to be dealth with in timely manner and with the upmost discretion.

Woodbine was a great place to get my feet wet, I think as supervisor I met the challenges, but I do think there is alot more out there, and I am eager to learn and start from the ground up if necessary.

I believe the hardest part of the job was getting to close to the customers, you find yourself at a disadvantage.

My coworkers were good people, always willing to assist.

Management team treated me with great respect.

We were doing more work after the pandemic than previously. Yet the wages are stagnant and the company is proud to raise it by a few cents above minimum wage (this was during the wage increase). People admitted to me that they're working overtime just to survive yet the million dollar racing bets and upper management wages can supply enough money to pay more livable wages for people below management. I did have safety issues because of harrassment issues against coworkers from certain people. Although I had some good experiences, the company needs to provide safety and security for their underpaid/minimum wage employees. Don't be surprised about the high turn overs anymore when people are just trying to make a living to survive.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Horse racing is what brings the establishment to a 4 - 5 star 
Employees are promised the wow experience but the work fails to honour what they promise.   Very few are not experienced in the titles they carry.  Managers seem unorganized and don’t care about the employees needs.  

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The unsettling of your job position no stability.   Move from one place to another. 
Guests or lower tear employees are not the important.   Unorganized, mismanaged and not delivering what they promise. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Multi culture.  Stressful environment with addictions and mismanagement issues 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Starts great.   Can’t wait till it’s over as challenges arise with guests and managers

You're informed of the daily activities in pre-shift meetings and are required to execute superior customer care, especially on big race days. It's a live sports entertainment environment and fun and enjoyable corporate culture. Learned about event marketing and customer care practices in a variety of situations. Management is exceptional and they care for you like you're family. The co-workers are very helpful and respectful in all types of situations and are a large part to what makes it such a fun and productive place to work. The job can be physically demanding on big races days that are long working hours. The most enjoyable part of the job was working the Queen's Plate and seeing/meeting celebrities or even royalty.

Security department is a complete joke at this company. The pay is way too low for the risk involved depending on which location your working at within this company. Not everyone is paid the same within this department, although the management expects everyone to work at the same level. This department and the whole company in general doesn't care about harassment. 
The security management can literally say anything they want to their security guard staff and HR won't care. Most of your co-workers are out to get you within the department. As well, as the employees that are not in the security department are out to get you because it's a very toxic place to work. I wouldn't recommend anyone to work for this horrible company! Stay away and work somewhere else!! 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Reasonable expectations, good support from most managers. Fleet manager is one of the best managers I have worked with.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Very easy work atmosphere. Reasonable expectations for work competition.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Union job, but not over bearing Union atmosphere. Mostly easy going environment, as long as you do your work.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Maintaining many types of vehicles, equipment. Repairing equipment used by all departments in business operations. Our seeing fleet shop operations with great support.

I am very comfortable working independently or under supervision. My position includes interacting with people on a constant basis. Dealing with the public is very rewarding when I can satisfy their needs. When working with other employees,  or supervisors, it very important that we are all on the same page with no discrepancies. Team work is very essential in order for things to run smooth. The hardest part of the job is problem solving in a short period of time, quick thinking is needed so everyone is comfortable. The best part of the job is asking questions, learning and executing what has been learned.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Bartender 15 salaries reported	$19.50 per hour
Security guard 3 salaries reported	$23.06 per hour
Customer service representative 13 salaries reported	$19.15 per hour
Food service counter attendant 13 salaries reported	$18.38 per hour
Food & beverage supervisor 6 salaries reported	$24.80 per hour

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