Advice/Help please

[Munch]

My Husband is a head chef at a private members Golf Club and has been for 3 years, successfully building the reputation and trade, along with the quality and standard of the food.

My Husband has just overheard the Secretary (his boss/manager of golf club) talking to one of the members (this member complained about his food on Saturday when he was incredibly pissed) saying that the food is only ever 80% right and when its wrong it is critical. He then went on to discuss how much he pays my husband and his 2nd chef and if they could be replaced for the same money. (not a lot)

The member was then heard saying that he has a friend that is a trouble shooting chef and the secretary said he would be very interested in talking to him.

I will add at this point my husband serves at least 100 covers a day and gets a complaint about once a week and always from the same morons! AND the secretary has always complimented him and told him what a fantastic job he is doing. ( how 2 faced can you get)

I would like to know where my husband stands. Could this be constructive dismissal or something.

All he wants to do right now is walk out but he cant.

Does anyone know of any employment rights, or just generally what would you do in this situation.

[Glutton4...]

Oooooh, that's awful, Munch. He must feel terrible. My Husband used to be a Chef, and when the pub he was working in was taken over, he discovered he was out of a job when he turned up for work the next day to find another Chef already in there cooking! They said "Obviously, we don't need you any more!" That was it!

They spend years training, only to be treated like shite. He should let his Boss know that he over-heard the conversation, and see what response he gets.

[zazen999]

He could just be appeasing the bloke.

What I would do is NOT to tell the boss he knows about the conversation, as it is almost like putting the boss in the position of having to follow through.

I'd sit down with the boss and say he has concerns about the few complaints and wants to address these people as a priority, so one thing would be to invite these people to a special night to test and comment on some ideas for a new menu that your hubby has been planning and he values the feedback so he is inviting them as they have previously expressed strong opinions. Then at the night, have a couple of stooges that start off 'with' them and then make 'ooh it's lovely' sounds as the night goes on and who keep the conversation onto positive feedback rather than negative - and then take their recommendations forward when planning the next new menu change.

[Glutton4...]

Nah! Too long-winded. Just ban the moaning g*t! LOL After all, he's only trying to get a free meal. Probably does it everywhere he goes.

[zazen999]

Well, if the meal is not in question then find out DIRECTLY what the problem is and discuss with the boss how to address it.

My attitude to trouble makers in work is to work with them to address problems - usually if you can turn them over then they become the strongest advocates.

[Croila]

I would like to know where my husband stands. Could this be constructive dismissal or something.

All he wants to do right now is walk out but he cant.

Does anyone know of any employment rights, or just generally what would you do in this situation.

I actually work for a trade union and whilst I've never dealt with the catering trade, I would say don't go down the constructive dismissal route. The success rate at tribunal for constructive dismissal is dismally poor. Plus, you have to show that you've exhausted all attempts at sorting it out informally and internally.

Are there are any internal policies for things like grievance/disciplinary etc? Or is the company too small for that?

Zazen999's suggestion of trying to sort out the matter informally sounds most sensible to me.

I'd also advise your husband to start documenting all this - keep a diary/log of all these events and comments, because if in the future he wants to complain officially/formally, an ordered sequence of events is always helpful.

Personally I'd let the boss know I was on to him just so he doesn't try and do anything unfair or illegal, but bend over backwards to try and resolve things amicably.

[Suky]

Knowing how some of my managers work, it is quite possible his boss is well aware what this member is like and is just humouring him. Certainly ask the boss how he feels the complaints should be dealt with, keep a record of complaints and compliments but don't pile in there all defensive and indignant, it will be counter productive. He needs his boss on his side so tell your husband 'softly, softly'

[zazen999]

I'd definitely NOT tell the boss I knew about the conversation - I'd bring the topic up myself before he has a chance to move.

But that's coming from a management perspective rather than a union one

I used to have 6000 'customers' as I was management within the CITB - and 80% of them were unhappy, with about 5% vociferously unhappy so I learnt a thing or two about getting them onside and involved so that they felt listened to, and a common ground was met on more than one occasion. Including a man who would call the office, threaten the staff and tell them that 'he knew where they lived' and that he would 'firebomb the office when the next levy form came thorough' - but when I went to his office to talk to him face to face, wrote a plan for them to claim grants and gave my number if he had any problems or queries whatsoever - I had to do it though his office staff as he didn't have the balls to face me. Bullies often don't so if you go straight to them to get their opinions face to face about their 'feedback' they often will let it go. They just 'wanna be loved' as they say

[Munch]

Thank you all for your very useful advice.

I have just spoken to my husband and he is going to raise the subject of complaints to his boss and ask if he has any problems with the way he runs the kitchen leaving it open for his boss to come clean.

My husband is now actively looking and applying for another job (2 already!) as this has just spurred him on to leave which is something we have spoken about for quite a while.

Thanks again and fingers crossed something better comes along.

One day we will run our own catering company as this is our ambition but need more pennies for that!

[Croila]

That sounds good, your husband ask if there any problems. I think it would be good if he did it in a "I just really want to help and make this the most successful business EVER" kind of way, rather than be confrontational?

Who knows, maybe if they get it sorted out, maybe your husband would be happy to stay there a bit longer ..?

[Munch]

Its all in the air at the moment. There was an impromptu chairmans meeting today and no-one will look my husband in the eye! mmmmmm...

Unfortunately hubby has 2 days off work now so wont know anything til Friday!

This golf club has a habit of doing the dirty to line their own pockets, my Dad worked there and experienced a similar kind of 'gang up' that made him resign!

Only time will tell.... hopefully with a better more well paid job!

[Croila]

Aww I'm sorry to hear that Munch. It sounds tough on your husband. Best of luck for finding a better job with nice people who treat him fairly!

[Florence Fennel]

Sorry to hear this Munch, but I'm in management too and I'm with Zazen on this one. I hope everything turns out ok.