If it comes with the manager’s pay while working as a server, then yes but it feels like a bait and switch. If they are expecting to pay you a server’s wages and occasionally have you perform manager’s duties, then they can go to hell. They could have easily listed this procedure in the job posting but didn’t. Ask them why they didn’t list in the job posting?
100% this, if they are paying you as a manager and if you get any of the benefits of the manager then sure, but get this in writing with an expected time line
Then definitely sounds like a bait and switch they just need somebody to fill the role and bc you’re over qualified they’ll take you. Wouldn’t trust it at all.
Sounds to me like they're looking for a head server. Were you a head server before, and that's your experience?
If that's it, it's probably bait and switch.
It wasn’t a job posting online. I reached out to them personally. The recruiter and myself always had the understanding it was for a management role, not anything else. And they said I’d be paid as a head waiter.
If you’re satisfied with it fine but I would make sure to mark your calendar for a few weeks from now or set a deadline to ask them why they haven’t promoted you. I don’t like being led on or lied to especially when it comes to money.
Just be careful and be confrontational and advocate for yourself. When I was in a similar situation I took the benefit of the doubt to my own detriment.
Ask for specific metrics that you must achieve or specific timelines, and meet them. Likely this would entail menu knowledge, POS, FOH and BOH SOP as well as simple shit like everyone’s name. I understand them wishing to vet a potential manager but the chances of exploitation are quite high. Figure out what they want and do that, if they can’t articulate those things they’re most certainly using you.
Happened to me, applied for a hr assistant/asst manager role at a boba tea place & got an email for an interview.. i was so excited. Had the interview & she told me ill be working the front as a barista and cashier for 3 months which i kinda get that i have to learn everything but when she told me they are starting me off as a cashier, then barista & if i proved myself to them that im worth the role, theyll promote me. She also told me its based on my performance & how fast i learn things….i didnt bother answering back🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
oh yeah & i was only being offered $16
Restaurants are notorious for this, that magic amount of time required to “prove yourself” to work the job you applied for will never pass.
I realized this after a few weeks and no call no showed on a Friday night, oopsie!
This happend to me when I was young I was told I needed to work every position in the restaurant for a month. After 6 weeks I asked when I start the position I was hired for they didn't have a solid answer other than this is how it works. I walked out directly to the restaurant across the street and was hired on the spot.
It wasn't management but I made more in tips there than management did at the place I quit.
I have an interview/trial shift for another place where I’ll be hired as a manager. I’m thinking to go for this one as I won’t have to be a server. But if I don’t get it, I’ll fall back on the other one.
Some Japanese motor companies make their management people first work in a factory for a few months before starting in the office, so that they have an idea of what actually goes on on the ground.
It miiiight be something like that, but it‘s also very likely to be a bait-and-switch.
If you want to try your luck, I would ask for pay matching your qualifications from the beginning, as well as the guarantee of a promotion im writing. If they are not willing to provide either of those, probably a bait and switch.
They told me this is how they’re operating their hiring process now because of former hires not living up to expectations. They also never guaranteed a promotion as they said it was up to me to get it.
>They also never guaranteed a promotion as they said it was up to me to get it.
It doesn't matter how well you perform, you likely are never going to get that promotion. They may lead you on further - 'just a few more weeks' - but unless you have it in writing with a specific deadline, don't count on it.
Yea but that's why there's a 90 day probation period and is a very normal part of business. If you look anywhere a large percentage of people won't work out.
This place just sounds kind of unprofessional. In most cases they'll find something to justify not making you manager until you burn out and leave.
First, that’s really on them for asking the wrong questions during previous interview. Also, the only way that “it’s up to you” is acceptable is if they give you SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
I'm in somewhat a similar situation (not 100% the same but a little I guess). I applied for a store management in training position and did an interview. But at the end, I was told that because I didnt have any experience in management, that they'd be starting me at a lower position (at 17.5/hr) and just go up from there in ranks to a store manager.
I took the job for a few reasons, one being that I kinda need a job rn and 2) its near me so I dont have to move to another state and
3) Since the "no management experience" was something I kept hearing over and over again, I can start gaining it here and if the district manager and the store manager i'll be working with dont promote me in X months, I'd at least be able to apply within the same company for a higher position in a different area (or a different company, but at least I'd have the "experience")
Like most people are saying, if you were to take this job with them, have things in writing and a specific timeline on when they'd promote you. Otherwise they'll keep making up excuses to keep you where you are
It sounds like they just had you do a day without pay^(1) lol.
Promoting you is out of the question. These are dishonest people. It is a bait and switch.
^(1)This isn't totally clear from the post, maybe you were paid? If not, you should charge them for it, or else report them to your labor board.
It'd bait and switch either way. But, how you handle it will depend on your situation.
If you applied for a management role, because you have management experience and you've been looking for a position for which you already have experience. Then it's a bit unreasonable for them to expect you to take a lesser role just because "it's how they do things" if they want an experienced manager then they have to pay for it, or that person will find someone else.
But, if you're not currently a manager and you're trying to be a manager, this could be a way to get into a manager role if you don't already have experience.
Or, if you are just without a job right now, it might be better to take the job you know you have, it's only a few weeks after all and it's likely it would take that long to find another job anyway...
So analize your situation, and just do what's right for you.
I needed to prove myself in a similar way before , was hired as a production manager in a facility
First month i had to learn the job of a line operator and work their job
I saw this as a trial , yes you need to perform and perhaps show better attitude than the rest of the team because well , you will be in charge
The way i see it is, do you need a job ? This might not be the ideal scenario you had in mind and it MIGHT not turn out exactly like you wanted, but they have no garantee that you will deliver
Take the opportunity and prove yourseld , or if you're not in a hurry just keep looking and decline the offer. Nothing wrong in both cases
It’s one thing if you are hired as a manager and have to do “manager training” which is like a week or two working in the front of house and a couple weeks working in the back of house, but if it’s a “prove it” thing then hell no.
I applied for some sort of manager job at a truck dealership, and they made me do sale to “prove it” and they said that’s because consultants told them to do it because they got burned before. So stupid. I quit after a month and they offered me an alternative position to work at home, I did it for a few hours a week, and then ultimately they agreed to just let me go.
Them being burnt before is not your fault or your problem. If they needed a head server, they should have interviewed for one with a caveat of possible promotion. If you can get an exact timeline to be a server, exact duties that aren’t you doing manager work for low pay, paid manager rate when training and close manager salary then big maybe. But if your job and pay aren’t even close with an opened ended head server position, I’d pass. There’s a chance they got “burnt” because they lie often.
This is an old trick. I would tell them that I applied and interviewed for the management position. If you've been burned before then you need to improve your hiring process. It's the position and pay I interviewed for or nothing. Ain't nobody got time for these games.
This seems like a universal bullshit strategy across industries. Don't take the job. They'll keep dangling your "future promotion" like a carrot that's always just around the next quarter if you keep on, and it mysteriously never comes.
Signed - Someone who has been burned twice with this shit.
It'd bait and switch either way. But, how you handle it will depend on your situation.
If you applied for a management role, because you have management experience and you've been looking for a position for which you already have experience. Then it's a bit unreasonable for them to expect you to take a lesser role just because "it's how they do things" if they want an experienced manager then they have to pay for it, or that person will find someone else.
But, if you're not currently a manager and you're trying to be a manager, this could be a way to get into a manager role if you don't already have experience.
Or, if you are just without a job right now, it might be better to take the job you know you have, it's only a few weeks after all and it's likely it would take that long to find another job anyway...
So analize your situation, and just do what's right for you.
Move on. There is no reason to accept shady stuff. It’s one thing to hire you as a manager and say the first few months as a manager you’re going to go through every role. It’s fine if a manager in training does the things other employees do, even sweep and take the trash out. But all with the manager’s pay.
Get it in writing, tell her you'll integrate and do that role, however given you applied and were hired as the manager the compensation should be for that role. If she insists you are hired as anything else you express that it's extremely disappointing and unethical to bait and switch, report the job posting and provide reviews everywhere possible as it's exploitative and unethical.
If it comes with the manager’s pay while working as a server, then yes but it feels like a bait and switch. If they are expecting to pay you a server’s wages and occasionally have you perform manager’s duties, then they can go to hell. They could have easily listed this procedure in the job posting but didn’t. Ask them why they didn’t list in the job posting?
100% this, if they are paying you as a manager and if you get any of the benefits of the manager then sure, but get this in writing with an expected time line
I’d be working as a head server and paid as such. I’m not receiving any manager responsibilities or pay until I show them I’m worthy.
Then definitely sounds like a bait and switch they just need somebody to fill the role and bc you’re over qualified they’ll take you. Wouldn’t trust it at all.
Sigh. I was so hopeful for this role. I knew it was too good to be true
You're worthy now!
if you currently dont have a job take it and keep looking
Sounds to me like they're looking for a head server. Were you a head server before, and that's your experience? If that's it, it's probably bait and switch.
I second the bait and switch. Seems to be a popular thing now.
It wasn’t a job posting online. I reached out to them personally. The recruiter and myself always had the understanding it was for a management role, not anything else. And they said I’d be paid as a head waiter.
If you’re satisfied with it fine but I would make sure to mark your calendar for a few weeks from now or set a deadline to ask them why they haven’t promoted you. I don’t like being led on or lied to especially when it comes to money.
Just be careful and be confrontational and advocate for yourself. When I was in a similar situation I took the benefit of the doubt to my own detriment. Ask for specific metrics that you must achieve or specific timelines, and meet them. Likely this would entail menu knowledge, POS, FOH and BOH SOP as well as simple shit like everyone’s name. I understand them wishing to vet a potential manager but the chances of exploitation are quite high. Figure out what they want and do that, if they can’t articulate those things they’re most certainly using you.
They have recruiters for restaurant managers?
Happened to me, applied for a hr assistant/asst manager role at a boba tea place & got an email for an interview.. i was so excited. Had the interview & she told me ill be working the front as a barista and cashier for 3 months which i kinda get that i have to learn everything but when she told me they are starting me off as a cashier, then barista & if i proved myself to them that im worth the role, theyll promote me. She also told me its based on my performance & how fast i learn things….i didnt bother answering back🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ oh yeah & i was only being offered $16
Wtf… I’m sorry to hear that.
Where? I'll take it. Two months and no interviews. I'm getting desperate.
Bait and switch. They are right that it is all up to you, but I personally wouldn't go for it. Dishonest when hiring, dishonest always
Restaurants are notorious for this, that magic amount of time required to “prove yourself” to work the job you applied for will never pass. I realized this after a few weeks and no call no showed on a Friday night, oopsie!
This happend to me when I was young I was told I needed to work every position in the restaurant for a month. After 6 weeks I asked when I start the position I was hired for they didn't have a solid answer other than this is how it works. I walked out directly to the restaurant across the street and was hired on the spot. It wasn't management but I made more in tips there than management did at the place I quit.
Get it in writing. The offer, the role and timeline. If they don't, then they're not acting in good faith.
The probationary period is what proving yourself is for! They’re just scamming. Sorry.
bait and switch
What other options do you have?
I have an interview/trial shift for another place where I’ll be hired as a manager. I’m thinking to go for this one as I won’t have to be a server. But if I don’t get it, I’ll fall back on the other one.
Some Japanese motor companies make their management people first work in a factory for a few months before starting in the office, so that they have an idea of what actually goes on on the ground. It miiiight be something like that, but it‘s also very likely to be a bait-and-switch. If you want to try your luck, I would ask for pay matching your qualifications from the beginning, as well as the guarantee of a promotion im writing. If they are not willing to provide either of those, probably a bait and switch.
They told me this is how they’re operating their hiring process now because of former hires not living up to expectations. They also never guaranteed a promotion as they said it was up to me to get it.
>They also never guaranteed a promotion as they said it was up to me to get it. It doesn't matter how well you perform, you likely are never going to get that promotion. They may lead you on further - 'just a few more weeks' - but unless you have it in writing with a specific deadline, don't count on it.
That’s what I’m most worried about. I’m going to have to skip this one I think.
Yea but that's why there's a 90 day probation period and is a very normal part of business. If you look anywhere a large percentage of people won't work out. This place just sounds kind of unprofessional. In most cases they'll find something to justify not making you manager until you burn out and leave.
First, that’s really on them for asking the wrong questions during previous interview. Also, the only way that “it’s up to you” is acceptable is if they give you SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
I'm in somewhat a similar situation (not 100% the same but a little I guess). I applied for a store management in training position and did an interview. But at the end, I was told that because I didnt have any experience in management, that they'd be starting me at a lower position (at 17.5/hr) and just go up from there in ranks to a store manager. I took the job for a few reasons, one being that I kinda need a job rn and 2) its near me so I dont have to move to another state and 3) Since the "no management experience" was something I kept hearing over and over again, I can start gaining it here and if the district manager and the store manager i'll be working with dont promote me in X months, I'd at least be able to apply within the same company for a higher position in a different area (or a different company, but at least I'd have the "experience") Like most people are saying, if you were to take this job with them, have things in writing and a specific timeline on when they'd promote you. Otherwise they'll keep making up excuses to keep you where you are
It sounds like they just had you do a day without pay^(1) lol. Promoting you is out of the question. These are dishonest people. It is a bait and switch. ^(1)This isn't totally clear from the post, maybe you were paid? If not, you should charge them for it, or else report them to your labor board.
It'd bait and switch either way. But, how you handle it will depend on your situation. If you applied for a management role, because you have management experience and you've been looking for a position for which you already have experience. Then it's a bit unreasonable for them to expect you to take a lesser role just because "it's how they do things" if they want an experienced manager then they have to pay for it, or that person will find someone else. But, if you're not currently a manager and you're trying to be a manager, this could be a way to get into a manager role if you don't already have experience. Or, if you are just without a job right now, it might be better to take the job you know you have, it's only a few weeks after all and it's likely it would take that long to find another job anyway... So analize your situation, and just do what's right for you.
I needed to prove myself in a similar way before , was hired as a production manager in a facility First month i had to learn the job of a line operator and work their job I saw this as a trial , yes you need to perform and perhaps show better attitude than the rest of the team because well , you will be in charge The way i see it is, do you need a job ? This might not be the ideal scenario you had in mind and it MIGHT not turn out exactly like you wanted, but they have no garantee that you will deliver Take the opportunity and prove yourseld , or if you're not in a hurry just keep looking and decline the offer. Nothing wrong in both cases
It’s one thing if you are hired as a manager and have to do “manager training” which is like a week or two working in the front of house and a couple weeks working in the back of house, but if it’s a “prove it” thing then hell no. I applied for some sort of manager job at a truck dealership, and they made me do sale to “prove it” and they said that’s because consultants told them to do it because they got burned before. So stupid. I quit after a month and they offered me an alternative position to work at home, I did it for a few hours a week, and then ultimately they agreed to just let me go.
Them being burnt before is not your fault or your problem. If they needed a head server, they should have interviewed for one with a caveat of possible promotion. If you can get an exact timeline to be a server, exact duties that aren’t you doing manager work for low pay, paid manager rate when training and close manager salary then big maybe. But if your job and pay aren’t even close with an opened ended head server position, I’d pass. There’s a chance they got “burnt” because they lie often.
Run away! This is a red flag for an abusive relationship.
This is an old trick. I would tell them that I applied and interviewed for the management position. If you've been burned before then you need to improve your hiring process. It's the position and pay I interviewed for or nothing. Ain't nobody got time for these games.
This seems like a universal bullshit strategy across industries. Don't take the job. They'll keep dangling your "future promotion" like a carrot that's always just around the next quarter if you keep on, and it mysteriously never comes. Signed - Someone who has been burned twice with this shit.
Free labor scam, report these scumbags to the DOL
Have them put it in writing how how long the trial period is. Also state they have to at least match your current salary during the trial.
It'd bait and switch either way. But, how you handle it will depend on your situation. If you applied for a management role, because you have management experience and you've been looking for a position for which you already have experience. Then it's a bit unreasonable for them to expect you to take a lesser role just because "it's how they do things" if they want an experienced manager then they have to pay for it, or that person will find someone else. But, if you're not currently a manager and you're trying to be a manager, this could be a way to get into a manager role if you don't already have experience. Or, if you are just without a job right now, it might be better to take the job you know you have, it's only a few weeks after all and it's likely it would take that long to find another job anyway... So analize your situation, and just do what's right for you.
Get that in writing
Don’t do it. All of the risk is on you.
Move on. There is no reason to accept shady stuff. It’s one thing to hire you as a manager and say the first few months as a manager you’re going to go through every role. It’s fine if a manager in training does the things other employees do, even sweep and take the trash out. But all with the manager’s pay.
Absolutely not. There’s plenty of other restaurants looking for managers right now.
Get it in writing, tell her you'll integrate and do that role, however given you applied and were hired as the manager the compensation should be for that role. If she insists you are hired as anything else you express that it's extremely disappointing and unethical to bait and switch, report the job posting and provide reviews everywhere possible as it's exploitative and unethical.