Wednesday, April 28, 2010

I've been hired, now I'll misbehave! (2)

New Manager at the Wayside Tavern. Seemingly the best of an extensive shortlist

References all stood up, right answers given in interview and required attitudes displayed.

The unravelling began on the 2nd day. New Manger (very much on probation) declares that most pub income streams are not able to be improved, nor will they atrophy from lack of attention, "just let it happen".

This considered opinion from a management grade appointment is sufficient to require the administration of smelling salts, for the revival of Mine Host.

Except bar trade, Probationary New Manager seemed to feel that bar trade is "the only area where takings can be improved" so he would pour effort into that.

Mine Host then watched as Temporary Probationary New Manager ordered and drank in quick succession (without paying) Four Schooners of full strength beer. (1.7 litres)

This was about halfway through the workday.

The following day the Temporary Probationary Possible New Manager again ordered and drank in quick succession Four Schooners of full strength beer. Again no payment was made for these drinks.

Alone in the lounge bar for his quick mid-shift binge (bar staff were busy elsewhere), a demonstration was given of the amount of effort that would be poured into improving the bar trade: Arriving customers were handled by studiously ignoring them & pretending he was himself a customer.

The day after the Temporary Pending Possible New Manager again sat on the customer side of the bar for his mid-shift Four Schooners that he did not pay for.

He parked himself in a corner so he could not see customers were any to arrive.
However at that time he was the only staff on duty in the bar.

It is unlikely that this fellow has listed Mine Host as one of his referees, probably the resume does not even show the employment at the Wayside Tavern. Subsequent employers have never contacted Mine Host for a reference.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

I've been hired, now I'll misbehave!

Executive level job applicants are just as likely to be useless, incompetent, lazy, and stupid as entry level applicants.

By the time a shortlist is presented to Mine Host each candidate has undergone considerable filtering and investigation. Hiring senior appointments is not an easy process.

At least 24 hours of Mine Host's own time is then invested in every candidate on the shortlist.

Distressingly, about Four in every Five who is hired turn out to be incapable of doing the job. Degrees of incompetence/stupidity are varied. Some actually are completely useless, this is one of those:

A new manager was appointed for the Diver's Arms. She lasted Two days. Mine Host can only blame himself, for her resume did state that she was a mature age law student, though her interest in "human rights" issues was dealt with somewhat more obliquely.

The resume said much else, including 30-odd years of good work history, but that one point should have flagged to Mine Host that the candidate was not psychologically suitable for a command position.

It didn't take long to show. About Ten minutes in fact.

The first day was spent investigating and shortlisting for a new coffee supplier.
This alone meant she was for the high jump.

Mine Host was coping with realisation of the enormity of the mistake he had made, when she dropped an even bigger clanger;

She wouldn't be able to "formally take up the position" until "tribal elders" entered the premises, held a "welcome to country ceremony" and "formally welcomed her" to the premises.

This did it.

For several reasons:
1. "Formal" commencement of the position (including some key responsibilities) was to be delayed until some hocus pocus ceremony, however formal commencement of salary was to immediate!
2. The land under the Diver's Arms, being "dry" until the utilisation of modern water reticulation technology, was not acknowledged, or used in any way by pre-historic peoples. A no-man's land between the lands of Three tribes, it is now claimed by all Three tribes. Which tribe was going to conduct the "ceremony" and what would this do to relations between the business and the other Two tribes?
3. The concept of "welcome to country" ceremony is unknown to any of the Three tribes. Such a ceremony, likely the first conducted by any of the Three, would lack gravitas, and be conducted by some over-educated political agitator rather than traditional elders (who won't invent new traditions).
4. It is Mine Host, as boss, who decides who is on/off the payroll, and when they come & go.