Some background: I started this job as a weekend server. I have a Hospitality Management degree and 20 years of customer service background, but I also have a felony marijuana conviction (for growing a single plant!) which makes it difficult to find employment in my state, unfortunately. I started a new job a few months ago at a very accepting restaurant that is struggling, but super nice people. Luckily, I have moved up quickly in this business. I added more hours, started baking one day per week after the owner discovered my skills in that area, and now the team has rallied around me to step up as general manager.
The crew is small. It's a neighborhood spot. We've had high turnover and the owner is in over her head. She had a front of house manager with no training. I'm the only one in there with any training, experience, and schooling and I'm one of the lowest paid.
The business isn't making money currently. It's close to breaking even. The owner isn't paying herself. She can't afford a full-time general manager. However, we only see her in the restaurant two days out of the five days we are open every week. She has a young family. I am unsure where else her time is divided.
I have a list a mile long of things that need to be fixed in order for this place to turn around and start to turn a profit. I'm just sort of shocked that this was the proposal I received from the owner for a position she calls a, “Project Manager.” It's a general manager position. It's the same thing. All the responsibilities of a GM shoved into four hours a week. It doesn't change my pay rate for the rest of the time I am there. Not sure what to think about this one.
