savage money / By Jennifer Savage

Tips for Bosses

Managers: Increase worker productivity by squelching your inner asshole

(April 15, 2010)  When the kids were young, I slung cocktails for a living. I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, but couldn’t actually afford to stay at home, so the hours allowed me to spend the days with the kids and the tips beat minimum wage. Like most service industry jobs, the work itself didn’t vary that much from place to place: Customers ordered, I fetched and delivered their drinks. What made working at a particular place good or bad (besides the tips!) was the people I worked with — and even more importantly, the people we worked for.

Take this one place. Total dive. But any customers behaved in an uncivil manner, all a girl had to do was crook a finger at Jimbo or Steve or one of the other doorguys and wham, that rude fellow was out the door with the boss’ blessing. We slid between drunk frat boys and grungy scenesters knowing someone had our back.

In contrast, this other place I cocktailed, a much “nicer” place, had a different system, one involving a middle manager who’d never even waited tables, much less navigated drunks while carrying a tray of pints overhead. When customers messed with us he’d cower in confusion, then order the waitress to apologize and bring the group a round on the house. Our sense of vulnerability ran high as a result — and morale conversely low.

I’ve also worked as a waterslide lifeguard, a file clerk, a medical receptionist, a model home tour guide, a temp worker, a gym greeter, a wallcovering consultant, a food server, a bartender, a barista, a journalist and a radio host. Some of those jobs provided fulfillment, some were just a way to make ends meet (or not) while looking for something better. What I learned: Regardless of the inherent worth of the position, the people in charge of your life while on the clock have the power to shape you into a hard and loyal worker — or a bitter, mistreated cynic.

So, bosses, this one’s for you. Think of it as a short guide on How Not To Be An Asshole.

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Forgo, whenever feasible, the middle manager. Typically, the only thing separating that person from everyone else is an obnoxious sense of superiority. Lacking the confidence of ownership, they wield what power they do have with a heavy, irritating, micro-managing hand. Otherwise good workers tire of the abuse and your company becomes known as a lousy place to work.

Allow your employees as much autonomy as possible — and reward it. Ask yourself, “Is this person meeting the requirements of her position?” If yes, then leave her alone to keep doing her job. And find out what you can offer to make her feel appreciated. Perhaps you can’t provide health care benefits, but maybe a corporate deal at the health club? Or massage gift certificates. Or birthdays off with pay.

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