new employees

[skinneybear]

question for the experienced owners out there...I purchased a bar and have to replcae some of the current employees with my new ones. do you tell them sorry gonna have to let you go next monday (example) or do you let go on the spot ie dont let them work another week or so.
i feel letting them stay another week would help them locate another job however i also feel i am gonna get robbed blind if i cant watch all the time....

i am letting them go because the place has become old and stagnant and replacing with fresh vibrant faces......that will cater more to a youthfull crowd.

[ministry]

cut them loose at the end of the night. if you give them a week before they are done they will rob you blind ! i don't wanna sound harsh but it's not your problem if they don't have a job.

[intensity]

I second Ministry. Never give employees notice if you are going to terminate them.

[rootsreality]

Agreed, give them a final check and let them go. I generally dismiss employees at the end of their shift just before they start their weekend. That gives me a couple of days to finalize coverage for the next week.

If they have been there a long time or if you really have guilt feelings over it (and you have deep pockets) you could always give a separate one or two week severance check, but don't ever let them work after telling them that they are out of a job. Whatever you do, treat all terminated employees equally or have a documented reason for handling them differently. Example: You might decide that employees who have been there more than three years get a one week severance, while employees with less tenure get nothing. Just document how you determined who got what. You don't want anyone saying that there was either favoritism or discrimination in handing out severance.

[SHEP]

I recently faced a similar situation. My two managers, who were my only full time employees, decided to open a place of there own a few miles down the road from my place. However, they didn't tell me about it, I heard through it through the rumor mill. When I asked them about the rumors, they confirmed it and said they weren't going to leave me unprepared, but would give me plenty or notice. I let them go almost immediately.

They actually got pissed off at ME. Couldn't understand why I wouldn't let them stay until they were ready to open their place. I actually had a few of my customers tell me they heard "we" were moving down the road!

I had never managed my place on a day to day basis, but had to do it all myself. I really got on a learning curve in a hurry! On top of that, I live in another city 55 miles away from my bar.

Fortunately, I was able to move some shifts around and brought in a temp bartender, so we managed until I was able to hire two new bartenders. This all happened in just a few days. I now have everything under control, and all the shifts are running smoothly.

[skinneybear]

thanks for the replies. current owner runs it absentism. spend a couple hours a day. the 7 employees run everything. firmly believe they are already skimming. why would someone stay as a bartender for 7 years and make 5$ an hour cash plus tips?

[intensity]

maybe they make good tips and love their job? If you don't have hard evidence be careful how you terminate them. If you bring up the fact that you have suspicions that they are stealing this could cause alot of problems for you.

[psychomagnit]

If you have not yet puchased the bar, terminating them is not your problem. They do not work for you and never have. When you purchase the bar simply do not retain them as your employees.

One word of caution....cut bait all at once. Don't string terminations out and keep everyone in fear of the new boss. If you know there are several people you want out, do it all at once and let the rest of the staff know you are done. If they are working in constant fear of losing their job how good of a job will they do in selling a fun atmosphere to your customers.

[Michael Black]

Good point, but he has already purchased the bar and now they are his employees. I agree, it may have been best to already have new staff ready to go before taking over and have the place closed a few days before reopening and new marketing. However, on the flip side, one has to be careful of disorientating the established customer base, assuming one was trying to keep them. But if you are confident they are skimming and the place was out of control, then they ALL gots to go:) I would not keep any and would start fresh even after missing the easier opportunity to do it at the time of sale. It's a manager/owner's job to eliminate problems asap. You don't owe any of them severance pay, especially if they are stealing. In any case, they worked years for the former owner, not you. This is the nature of the business and a necessary evil as you will never know 100%. Keep in mind, you need a system of controls and checks and balances with the new employees or you may find yourself back at square one.

[skinneybear]

i close on the bar in two weeks. i already have new employees lined up to fill all shifts. i agree with letting them all go at once and have a plan so i dont choke myself. i tell ya what if i hadnt found this website 2 months ago i would never had bought the place. Thanks to all who answered.

[psychomagnit]

Where in Florida are you? I may need to come over for a cold beverage. :-)