Context: I manage golf operations at a medium sized country club in Massachusetts. I was promised a bonus at the end of last season based off 50% of labor savings against the budget. For all I know this could have been a misleading incentive, but in any case the head golf professional did not follow through on that promise and waited six months for me to call him out on it before he acknowledged that fact. Still hasn’t paid me. He is now Director of Golf and the former assistant of 5 years is now head pro.
Got this text message from the recently appointed pga golf professional this morning. “Hey. Was hoping to have this conversation in person but I think D had this conversation a few months back. We are going to have to adjust the schedule after Labor Day. We won’t have you do the double shift early and late but we are going to need you to close during the week. We can still give weekends but with the days shorting up we will need all day on Monday with T and I and closing Tuesday through Friday. After Labor Day there just isn’t enough to do in the morning during week. Thanks.”
The conversation he is referring to is one where I protested against working split shifts from 5:30 am to 10am and 5pm to close. I was told at the beginning of the season I may have to cover a few shifts until the new staff gets acclimated, but after three months of opening 5 days a week and closing 4 nights a week (six days a week), I told him my patience had run out and I would be opening Monday thru Friday only.
The scheduling and staffing has been a complete disaster from the moment I arrived. Handwritten in pencil, it changes constantly with little or no communication between management and staff. There is a serious lack of accountability when tasks are not completed, especially when it rains, which it has frequently this summer.
The main reason I do not want to work close shifts is because my partner suffered a serious leg injury several years ago and has a difficult time walking in the evening. She has a handicap parking pass and she’s in a lot of pain due to a kidney disorder which limits her pain management options. Despite being healthy people in our late 30’s, it’s easier to wake up early and seize the day than it is to burn the candle down until dark.
Another thing, this is a second career for me. I was a professional entertainer for 15 years before settling down and following a new passion. I could quit today and find a new job before dinner. There have been a plethora of frustrating situations due to the lack of professionalism and leadership this season but this text message feels like the last straw.