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Being undermined by 2IC

3K views 16 replies 8 participants last post by  pete 
#1 ·
Hello fellow lifers

I've started a new role as GM in a great venue. I have years of FOH management experience, so this is really a walk in the park for me, but I enjoy my new digs.
My issue is my 2IC - she had been holding down the fort until I arrived, for about a month or so. She's young, and training to be a nurse, so not committed to this role.
However, she has relationship with the owners and the other staff, even though the staff really don't like her.
She seems to wrong foot me on every occasion she can - pointing out that "we don't do things that way" and I feel she is in the owners ears.
I know how to deal with her, from experience, but just wondered if you have had similar experiences and how you dealt with it?

PS: she was offered the management role but didn't want the responsibility, another reason why I wonder why she is hindering me doing what I know is the right way forward.
 
#4 ·
She is my assistant manager.
The last general manager walked out in a huff, leaving her as the only person with the knowledge to carry the role until I was employed.
I, obviously, needed her assistance at first just to show me how the place was run. But I'm a quick learner and started putting my stuff in place (ie: no knock off drinks unless approved, no ordering stock unless needed, no sex with the reps for free stuff etc)
She has maybe taken offence, but i can't understand why, since she doesn't want the job.
 
#8 ·
Haha, no the restaurant is pulling in very decent $$$
The problem before I came along has been that all the staff and reps and, basically, anyone involved has been doing the shaky shoe knock with each other.
This has led to a scenario that would shock "Bold & The Beautiful" viewers.
I'm an old school hotelier, most of my work has been 5 star chains (Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton)
I won't stand for it, and I expect utmost professionalism from my team.
That's why I got the job.
 
#9 ·
sex for food in a restaurant? That's a new one. I can't decide if I'm for it or against it. Perhaps if I try it first. 

Seriously though. "Thank you for introducing me to the job and showing me the ropes. I'll take it from here." I don't care whose ear she has. If the owner has a problem, they can come discuss it and my reply would be the same. "You hired me to be in charge. I am now in charge. Thanks for checking in. I'll let you know if I need you". 
 
#13 ·
In the past when I have found myself in similar situations, any time spent on trying to figure out the the twisted corridors of another person's cranium, is taking my focus away from where it should and that is... performing my job... So far in my career, I have yet to be hired for my psychiatric abilities, so I try to stick what I was hired to do. :~)
 
#14 ·
Just my 2 cents.
I worked hospitality FT during my entire 5 years of nursing school.
Had to.
Had a family to feed and shelter.
A few years were spent in management (hence the 5 years lol) and yes there were many times I had to ask for some slack from one or the other of my masters.
Maybe she knows she can do your job and is just really jealous she doesn't have the chops to balance both pastimes.
That there is no love lost between her and YOUR staff is a good thing.
Means when she decides to stab you in the back someone will hide all the knives lol.

mimi

* OBTW...congrats on the new gig.
Was wondering where you went.

m.
 
#15 ·
So,
Tonight, we were busy, but the same disrespect was there.
I politely told her that I'm the manager, and I don't answer to her.
Then later I asked her if she thought I wasn't a good manager.
Then I noticed all my staff were in bad moods, and then she took a break without asking me in our busiest time.
She is going to be spoken to tomorrow.
 
#16 ·
That there is no love lost between her and YOUR staff is a good thing.
Means when she decides to stab you in the back someone will hide all the knives lol.
True.... The more I think about this, the truer it seems. Frightening, crotch freezing frightening, but true.

Thank god I'm a guy, I don't think I could ever make it as woman .
 
#17 · (Edited)
"We don't do things like that around here".

"Yes, I know. Thats why the owners hired me, to change the way things are done. Now, can you get me my coffee?"
Brilliant!!! That is probably how I'd handle her also, but then again, I've never been one to handle things the "proper HR" way! /img/vbsmilies/smilies/lol.gif

How is the rest of the staff handling your approach to this place? Are they happy that someone is tightening the reins and bringing the place up a level or do they resent the new, stricter rules and policies?

I had this happen once, early in my career, and I'm not proud to say that I was the person in the wrong. We had lost our Exec. Chef when he and a busboy got into a brawl in the middle of the kitchen on a busy Saturday night. As the Sous chef with the most seniority I was offered the position, but I wasn't ready for it so I turned it down. When the new chef came on board I second guessed him at every turn and generally acted like an ass as I "knew better than him." He finally had had enough and he and I had a long, hard conversation. I am glad he did, as it was a wake call to me, and my attitude changed very quickly, or I would have lost my job. In the end, I got my head right and I'm glad I did. He and I became great friends and together we made a great team. That would have never happened if I didn't lose that chip on my shoulder and I certainly would have been given my walking papers.
 
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