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• Currently employed by Cactus Club Cafe at the Coal Harbour location as a BOH employee.
  
  I have been working here now since July of 2018.
  
  I'm actually quite surprised at some of the comments here about Cactus Club as an employer, however, I can't speak for the atmosphere or work standards of other locations.
  
  Personally, I love working here. My schedule has been accommodated numerous times without much question and I have been given raises a number of times. Flexibility here is very easy for us as we have at least 200 BOH employees
  
  Employees and management alike are all pretty friendly and outgoing with the few people here or there that may be annoying, but it's not difficult to shrug off.
  
  Management gets along well with everyone and from what I've seen over the past year everyone gets treated equally.
  
  Promoting from within is also something I have noticed that happens very often here. It seems like advancement isn't unattainable and actually very likely if your skills are suited. I myself have been in training for promotion.
  
  The training is hit-or-miss. Due to the sheer size of our location, there are a lot of trainers who may do things a little different from others and this causes sizable groups of people to be trained somewhat different to other groups which can been stressful for the whole kitchen and be a cause for argument.
  
  Benefits are pretty upsetting to say the least. If you're out of high school and not going into post-secondary, this job should be the last place to go to if you want a decent perks/benefits package. 50% off food only on shifts worked. No medical/dental/etc for full-time employees until the Sous Chef position which is highly contested because again, we have a massive number of BOH staff.
  
  As for hours, it can be pretty rough. Due to the nature of our location, it is hard to predict well exactly how much business we may get. This being because of cruise ships and conventions that are happening just mere minutes away. Because of this, it is common that we are over staffed and full-time people will be sent home every shift they work sometimes up to 4 hours early. This can create quite the financial crisis for some.
  
  On the contrary, because management was so understanding towards my life and needs, they have started to give me guaranteed hours and have made promises not to get "cut early" from my shift.
  
  Finally, I can agree with others that Cactus Club does somewhat have a high school atmosphere. There is a lot of drama and gossip and that goes on behind people's backs. But it's hardly the fault of the company. It's the industry and the employees that for the industry. Especially since Cactus tends to hire younger people (potentially more rude, you decide?). While this isn't everyone, it is very common. Don't let this deter you though as there are so many great people anyway who will make your shift go by in a breeze. Besides, regardless of where you work, there will always be drama and gossip.
  
  Over-all, while Cactus does have a number of faults, I think it can be a great fit for those are interested in working in the industry. It's good for future post-secondary students and those who just need some cash quickly. I would advise against trying to make it a career job unless you are dead set on remaining in the hospitality industry and truly enjoy and feel like you have a natural talent towards it.
  
  Since this is a Cactus Club as a whole rating, take other poster's words for it that it's true for their location, however, I feel like I have written as honestly as possible for Coal Harbour and I would recommend you at least try it out for a bit before writing it off completely to see if it could be a good fit for you.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 22 August 2019 by Rater #31 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• I have been working at Cactus club downtown for several months in the dining room. Despite proving myself as an amazing server, they are trying to make jump through hoops when other servers have been in the dining room for two/three weeks, then moved into the lounge/bartending. No jumping needed. I was told "in confidence".. that you have to be friends with people in order to be moved up. Some days there is no managerial presence on the floor. We also have to wear high heels, and if you are not wearing a pencil skirt, an outfit is too "flowy".   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 18 April 2016 by Rater #29 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Great place to work at. Restaurant growing tremendously and always something new going on. Young and dynamic team and senior management very engaging. President is down to earth and the whole restaurant team is great.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 24 May 2015 by Rater #27 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• I have been here almost a year and wouldn't want to go anywhere else. The opportunity for growth here has no ceiling. With commitment to learning and developing self, you can go far here, you just have to exercise patience and be mindful this is a small start up which has a long journey ahead.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 23 May 2015 by Rater #26 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Totally agreed, it's just like High School. I've been working with them for a little over 16 months now and am actually deprived thinking of work. The atmosphere is very fake and the workers all like to put on a show. The only good thing about working here is the fact that you won't get screamed at for doing something wrong, instead you'll get shifts cut which isn't that great really. Nice ambiance and a fair 50% staff discount. However, it should be called Cactus Club Secondary rather than Cafe. I only recommend working here if you like a lump of drama on top of your daily schedule.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 20 May 2015 by Rater #25 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• management tries hard to please all the employees. southpoint has the best staff ever.. 92% of the girls are super nice and entirely sincere  

  Posted on 18 May 2015 by Rater #24 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Great place to work.
  A definite role model for how other cafes should operate.
  The company offers a lot of perks (breakfast in the morning is one of them), pension, drugs/dental, ect etc...   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 16 May 2015 by Rater #23 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Great Organization, good Management team.. The company is rapidly growing and has a lot of potential with its expansions. They take pride in their product and respects everyone from top management to the front line staff. Feels good to be part of this organization.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 14 May 2015 by Rater #22 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• CACTUS is a wonderful and professional cafe to work for. They truly care for their clients, the staff and their friends. They're available pretty much any time a customer needs a coffee or just to vent and can help them out with anything else or talking about that they need to become.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 14 May 2015 by Rater #21 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• This company constantly talks about being in the top 1oo employers to work for. That's great if you're a CEO or the guy in the comercials, but not if you're at the bottom of the food chain getting part-time at minimum wage. They donate to charities and the food bank, meanwhile a lot of their own employees are in need of these very services because they will not pay their employees enough,   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 12 May 2015 by Rater #20 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Become a very thin organization in its goal to make itself a leaner machine but this meant a lot more work for a lot fewer people. I work in the greenhouse and the work is just right, not boring, not overloaded. Just right.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 9 May 2015 by Rater #19 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Cactus is a wonderful place to work for! Management is very responsive to all questions and concerns. Corporate is dedicated to value all employees in all offices and fields. I am thankful I work for Cactus, especially because of the benefits, pay, growth and encouragement   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 6 May 2015 by Rater #18 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Worked in the BOH, a lot of work. Did not like how company policies were brainwashed into the employees by the employers. Hours aren't really flexible, only work here if you have passion for food, if not, leave while you can.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 21 October 2013 by Rater #15 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Very good Job, Ive been there a year now. i'm always pushed to do my best and to try climb the ladder. It feels great to have support and help. very well trained.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 29 May 2013 by Rater #13 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• i have worked at several restuarants and found that cactus and Harmony group are overall the best to work for. They treat their employees with respect and they are committed to very green values and in the workplace.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 17 November 2012 by Rater #11 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

  Was this review helpful? 2 36

• Best place to work for  

  Posted on 8 November 2012 by Rater #10 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

  Was this review helpful? 3 21

• Horrible experience. Was told over and over about how incredible the company was. During training, I was told to stay and practice. I was given several tasks to perform, including opening wine bottles in the back for the kitchen Afterwards, when I asked the manager to sign me out, I was informed that they "don't pay" for that, and that we are supposed to come in on our own time to practice. After a month of "training," I politely informed management that I wanted to stay on but could not continue at the ridiculous pace of 4 hours a week in "training". After having been promised full time work, I really needed to start having an income. (Hadn't even received a cheque for the miniscule hours I had been given in "training") The prompt reply was "I guarantee you that I need servers more than you need an income." Long story short, I must have made them upset when I fought to have my rights upheld and was informed that management did not see a future with me inside the company. I asked for specifics, and was told they didn't have specifics, only a feeling. Too many sketchy things going on, so I'm glad that I'm not still there. After a month and a half, I have yet to receive pay.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 3 October 2012 by Rater #9 | Comments (1) | Flag as inappropriate

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• I worked for this company for 3 years before i left. Cactus Club Cafe will do anything and everything to exploit and take money from it's employee's . I wouldn't be surprised if 99 % of their labour and employment policy was against the law. If your looking to serve for this company watch out, if you make an honest mistake that may cost them money you will pay out of pocket , if a customer leaves without paying you , it can be up to you to pay that bill on behalf of your dine and dasher , not to mention that you are expected to work unpaid hours after your quoted "cut time ". As far as management goes, you are expected to run the universe and work anywhere from 45-55 hours per week with no overtime and probably the worst compensation package you could imagine . Unless you feel like being exploited and abused to the max by your employer , stay away from Cactus Club cafe and their profit hungry ideology.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 12 July 2012 by Rater #8 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• I worked for cactus for 3 years, it was full of headaches and heartbreak. Its a huge rat race if you are trying to make a career out of it and unless you are good at fitting in they treat you like garbage, It used to be a great company to work for but have become soulless and conglomorate with a Hitler esque attitude towards human relations.
  
  However, they are just as organized and meticulously managed as the Third Reich itself, so on the upside if one of your annoying coworkers isnt keeping up they wont be there for long, if the equipment is old or broken it gets replaced with the best of the best spare no expense, If the schedules arent up a week in advance the kitchen manager gets sent to Auschwitz, ect...
  
  They do make the most money out of any high end casual rest. and they are shrewd with tips and wages, so if you do apply good luck! these places really do work for some people, usually those who where pretty and popular in school or a very highly motivated chef Feenie wannabe. Id advise regular people to look elsewhere!   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 28 June 2012 by Rater #7 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• New management took over the restaurant i worked at and it was absolutely terrible. It went from being an amazing job to a complete nightmare.  

  Posted on 28 February 2012 by Rater #6 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

  Was this review helpful? 7 0