Concern for newly-hired managers....

[Flossie]

Hi there,

First up, great forum, Its good to see people are getting support from somewhere.

My query is regarding two friends of mine who all very suddenly quit their jobs in order to relocate and run an SS pub in a brand new city.

They are two people I have worked with for many years. Whilst they are good people - they are not managemnet material. Their staff training from SS seems to have been woefully brief and I'm worried for their ability to run a pub when Mr. Smith seems so keen to make it impossible.

My extensive research on this site has given me great concern for them. They are in a delighted bubble, thinking this will be the making of them and because neither can work a pc I doubt they'll have read anything like the accounts on here of Mr. Smith.

Is the outlook for managers so bleak that NO ONE can make a success of these pubs? Is it nigh-on certain that all managers will be sacked for frivolous and unfair reasons? 

Thanks

[blueboy]

Is the outlook for managers so bleak that NO ONE can make a success of these pubs?  Well in a nutshell YES the outlook is bleak. As managers you have no control of the pubs management, as you are just senior barstaff. Mr. Smiffy is the manager.
You can't do anything to encourage people into your pub because the manager (Smiffy) will not let you. For instance, no free pool to encourage drinkers in. No music to encourage couples in. No home cooked food to encourage diners in. No televisions to encourage the sportsmen and women in.
All you have to encourage people in is cheap ale. Apart from shorts the drinks choice for the ladies is few and far between. You can't even buy a bloody Bitter Lemon for the missus in a Smiffy pub nor make a snowball at Christmas.
Please forgive me but your friends have made a grave error of judgement in packing in their jobs to work 18 hours a day in a Smiffy pub.

[ademapearl]

It will help if your frends are ex forces personnel. Some of the more successful and longer lasting managers are former army servicemen. They are used to taking orders, know that the officers are often prats, get on with the job, and above all just follow orders. the question why is not one that is encouraged in the army, or in the Sam Smiths empire, and I know that Humphrey for this reason often favours ex forces. However, even the army treats its loyal members with some respect, and does not expect its troops to be simply cannon fodder any more. the present general of the Smiths empire is more akin to a first world war general than a modern leader.

[Asm tiffy]

You are absolutely right to be concerned. My daughter and her husband were also attracted by the prospect of a new career. He had a fair bit of previous training in the 'trade' which was just as well because within two days of answering the advert they were thrown in at the deep end. The out going manager was rather less than helpful being more concerned with getting out and handing over than in giving and advice or training. It was not until after 5 weeks working their socks off that they went on a 'training' course and were then fired for some trumped up reason. Be ready for your friends to be crying on shoulders soon and seeking other gainful employment. There is not much wrong with the licenced trade, it's just Humphrey Smith and the way he tries to micro-manage all his staff and the pubs they are supposed to be the managers of.

[OldBreweryDrinker]

I have been to several Samuel Smiths pubs over the weekend and have heard several managers say, that they have heard that other managers have been suspended or sacked on or around the 11 month mark. One couple have had the pub for around 8 months and another for six. They were going to ring the brewery to see where they stand.

[bigjim]

It may be legal - but I think this is a completely disgraceful situation that deserves to be fully exposed. In an ideal world numbers and full details would be a good start. 

[antthe2nd]

the recruitment policy is a sham now compared to the past,no hr,no area managers but hrw its wide open to corruption,and its showing on the faces of draymen,reception,office staff, even the bloody horses, everyone at hq and all managers are of the dog eat dog attitude ,no one really mucks in anymore,seems its just a wage now whilst keeping an eye out for an opening elsewhere with a company that respects people and managers are vetted big time