The snowfall, which intensified overnight and continued through the morning, turned city streets and highways into slow-moving obstacle courses. Vehicles slid at intersections, buses struggled to keep schedules, and many drivers found themselves stuck in unplowed lanes or digging out before sunrise.
For workers who rely on in-person shifts, the storm quickly became more than a weather inconvenience. It became a question of safety versus financial necessity.
Brenden Dorant, a server at Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar - Burlington, said the snow made even leaving his driveway feel risky.
“I gave myself extra time, but the roads were still rough,” Dorant said. “There was a moment where my car slid, and you immediately start thinking about whether it’s worth it.”
Dorant said several coworkers were unable to get to work at all, while others arrived only to find business slower than expected.
“When the weather’s that bad, people just don’t come out,” he said. “So even if you make it in, there’s a good chance your shift gets cut early.”
He said being sent home early can be frustrating, especially for servers who depend on tips to supplement hourly wages.
“You budget around those shifts,” Dorant said. “When they disappear because of snow, it puts stress on everything else.”
Jessica Jordan, also a server at the Burlington location, said snowstorms create constant uncertainty for service industry workers.
“You’re checking the weather app every five minutes and waiting for a text,” Jordan said. “You don’t know if you’re expected to come in or if they’re going to call you off.”
Jordan said she has experienced being ready to leave the house, only to be told not to come in due to poor conditions and low reservations.
“It’s frustrating because your whole day is planned around work,” she said. “When that gets cancelled, you’re left scrambling.”
For those who do manage to get to work, the challenges often continue throughout the shift. Jordan said customer volume typically drops during storms, which can significantly affect earnings.
“There are fewer tables, and people don’t stay long,” she said. “Everyone just wants to eat and get home before the roads get worse.”
Despite the immediate financial hit, both workers said there can be a noticeable rebound once the storm passes.
“After a day or two of being stuck inside, people are eager to go out,” Dorant said. “When the roads clear, it can suddenly get really busy.”
Jordan agreed, noting that post-storm shifts can sometimes help make up for earlier losses.
“You might lose shifts at the start of the week,” she said. “But when things open back up, those busy nights can help balance it out.”
Still, both emphasized that the unpredictability of winter weather makes it difficult to rely on a consistent income.
“There’s no paid snow day for servers,” Dorant said. “If you’re not working, you’re not making money.”
Jordan said the storm highlighted how vulnerable hourly workers can be to factors outside their control.
“You want to be responsible and stay safe,” she said. “But you also have rent, groceries, and bills that don’t stop because it snowed.”
As winter storms continue to affect Ontario, workers like Dorant and Jordan say clearer expectations from employers and understanding from customers can help ease the strain.
“At the end of the day, everyone’s just trying to get through winter safely,” Dorant said. “We just hope we can still make a living while doing it.”
