Work...I guess this is where this would go.

[Jace Solo]

So...let's get some forum advice.

Let's start with the back story.

I just finished with my masters degree in special events.

I was hired at the beginning of the summer at a restaurant/night club that wanted to increase their catering sales with the stipulation that I would be put on salary for this position come the end of August. In the mean time they put me as the VIP manager handling bottles and special guests. In this capacity I had a lot of flexibility wig my schedule as I was working 2 nights a week and pulling down 300-500 a week. Other perks were a $25 bar tab I could get my tables or the occasional friend that happened through. I was also entitled to a manager meal every night I worked.

As the months progressed the prospect of this job materializing seemed to be diminishing. Just recently I was told they would not be able to afford the position but they were working on another way to get me on salary and create something that would encompass events and some other restaurant managing. I've been waiting for the last three weeks to hear on this while still fulfilling my duties as the VIP manager.

When I was given the VIP position it was as a holding deal to keep me from going other places but has since become my primary function because I'm faster, more organized and just plain better than the people they had running it before. I operate at a higher level of efficiency and have reduced the cost associated with the position greatly (and the people before were ripping them off because a lot of undocumented money goes through the VIP managers hands). I'm truthful, respectful and far over qualified. The pay for my position is a meager 4.25 but we get an automatic $25 gratuity per bottle we provide service for. That $25 goes to tipping out myself and the girls that work for me delivering and maintaining my sections.

Tuesday my $25 dollar (which is really nothing at a club) tab was taken away and the GM claimed that he never told me I had one. Which is bull. Then, we served 7 bottles to a table that gave $500 for their bottles and the GM refused to give us any money at all. Not even a portion. I'm waiting until were done working tonight to have a second conversation with him. If he doesn't fix it, I'll go over his head...problem is, his brother is the owner so we'll see how that goes.

My plan is that if it doesn't get fixed then I'll quit.

I don't have any other options right now and I still stand to make $400-$500 this week but it's the principle I'm worried about: Let them mistreat you once and they'll do it forever.

Just wanted your take on it because I'm stuck here for now and your comments will, atthe least, amuse me...I'm also hoping that you guys see an angle that I might have missed.

Thanks guys,
Ruty

[Kuyuk]

http://members.arstechnica.com/x/zeus/OFFICE_SPACE.jpg

burn it!

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

I've mostly worked back of the house as a pastry chef, but I have also worked/subbed in as a bartender, so bear that in mind.

The first thing is that the 25 dollar tab, while nice, you should let go. Your manager shouldn't have been a dickhead and should have told you "Hey, we're cutting back and getting rid of these, just a heads up" but it's not neccesary to have in any case.

My input, from my experience in the restaurant industry, is that the 'let them fuck you once" thing is correct. A lot of general managers are incompetent dickholes but are complete pussies when they're facing important staff walking out and leaving them holding the cards and dealing with a lot of pissed off customers. My first job as a pastry chef was pretty awful because I let them walk all over me because I was afraid of getting fired. By the time I'd moved on to more stressful jobs the tip-toeing on eggshells attitude was gone, and I was a lot happier for it. Not once have I been fired from a job despite some strong language and, ah, strong self-expression.

So, as far as the 175 dollars the GM owes you, pursue it hard. He's fucking not just you but everyone under you (servers, etc) out of some hard earned cash and they're relying on you to stand up on their behalf. Honestly if you're willing to quit because of this shit (in your shoes I'd be looking for new employment too) you have nothing to lose by pushing him to give up the money, even if you're gonna end up quitting anyway. Don't even 'ask' him, go up to him and say, "You owe me 175 dollars for the 7 bottles I sold earlier. I'm going to make sure my section crew members get their cut of it before they go home for the night."

[Jace Solo]

So far I like the reponses.

The tab I did let go. It's just a "courtesy" to extend shots to a table when they just spent hundreds of dollars more on liquor than they otherwise would have had they bought the same quantity from the bar. I considered it more of a perk for my regulars than I did for myself. Aside from an occasional redbull I never used it for myself and never got close to the $25 cap. That was more just backstory so you could see this isn't a random occurrence.

What sucks is the majority of the people in employ love the place because it's upscale and really nice. People that come here don't look down on the servers or the bar staff because we are app ery knowledgeable. For instance, we just had two teams of bartenders win first and second place in the "best bartenders in the city" contest. Meaning or staff is sick in both knowledge and flair.

The one thing we all dislike is him, his general attitude towards the staff and his general disregard for...we'll call it...integrity and it is driving employees away left and right. A new sports bar is opening and almost every bartender, including the "bests" are applying. Problem is, he's competent and the owners brother. He is by no means the most efficient but the business isn't going under with him at the helm and the owner rather is rarely here (he can be a bit of a dick too but I've known him since we were freshmen pledging in college).

Keep the comments coming, I'm getting smiles out of them...and it's keeping me from "burning this motha down".

I'll keep you updated as things unfold

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

He may not be apparently driving the business down but if he's chasing off the staff then he's fucking up the business. Treating staff like shit will eventually hurt the bottom line, be it from customers raising an eyebrow at the fact that despite being regulars, there's such a high turn over that no one knows their name/is familiar with them (and thus they look for a new haunt or spend less or tell other people about this, keeping them from coming). Honestly I'm not a high end bar kind of girl but one thing I love about my regular pub is that I know who's working and they know me. I would be put off from wanting to be a frequent customer/regular at a place where every few weeks there are new bartenders and servers. It'll also hurt the bottom line because there will eventually be so much lost time due to training, the hiring process, paperwork, etc that comes when your employment turns into a revolving door.

[Jace Solo]

True, thanks for the replies...somehow I expected that to bring Sean out of the wood work. I guess he's banging another trailer park amputee :(

[Bobmuhthol]

You can get a master's degree in "special events"? What a country!

[Mogonis]

See if Simu's hiring.

Oh wait.

[iJin]

You can get a master's degree in "special events"? What a country!

I know, I was thinking the same thing.

[Jace Solo]

Who do you think plans the Oscars? Grammys? Superbowl? All my people...
Yup...and I chose to stay here to pay off my loans before I went west...maybe not the best idea.

Anyway, so I walked into the office and said, "So you're really not gonna tip us out for Tuesday?" He said some shit about thinking the kids tipped us out...right, these 21 yr old's they paid you $500 and then turned around and tipped us $200...he said he'd have to figure it out and give it to us later. So, we'll see where that goes...

[4a6c1]

Jesus you are over qualified. The longer you stay there the worse it looks on a resume. Get something worth your time. Use some contacts. Anything.

[radamanthys]

I'd hit him in the head with a hammer. He doesn't deserve simple brain function.

Do they have "compassionate felony" anywhere in this country?

[Proxy]

if things go south, make sure you delete all your spread sheets, if you use any.

[peam]

And steal all of the finest Champagne.

[Proxy]

champagne sucks, snag the blue-label

[Abilene]

Over-qualified & under-paid.
Welcome to de America!

[Ryvicke]

I wish someone would independently assess my qualifications and assign me my proper job. Like in The Giver.

[Mogonis]

I wish someone would independently assess my qualifications and assign me my proper job. Like in The Giver.
But you would have no emotion, couldn't see in color, and would probably end up killing babies.

[Ryvicke]

But you would have no emotion, couldn't see in color, and would probably end up killing babies.

Oh shit is that how it all turned out? All I remembered was the no color/music/pain thing...

Was it an anti-communist screed? I should probably wikipedia.

[Mogonis]

No. Just a dystopia. I doubt she wrote it as political commentary. You should read it again if you don't quite remember it. It was one of my favorite books as a kid. It's actually part of a trilogy.

The Giver
Gathering Blue
Messenger

(Lois Lowry)

[Warriorbird]

Writing. Things in.

[radamanthys]

I wish someone would independently assess my qualifications and assign me my proper job. Like in The Giver.

The only Giver I know about was Goatse's counterpart.

[Stanley Burrell]

It would be difficult to be Jonas and not go around spreading the Goatse and 2g1c memories in the uninformed masses.

That being said, OP I think, just get your friends to wear rented tuxedos and resemble the Mafia on a day you know your GM is going to be there. And have them make intimidatingly friendly conversations (at your Game Master) about how they've always admired your hard work and know how they know your boss must, obviously, be paying you well, capice?