Need Advice: Am I a work place door mat?

HJMC

WhiteWashMan, apologies if this is the wrong place to post this.

I'm currently working in a hotel. I worked in the hotel as a receptionist for over a year and went travelling. I returned earlier this year and did a few reception shifts (on the same money as before I left) when I was offered the position of Functions Manager, they increased my hourly rate by 30cent with a view to increase it further after I prove myself as a capable manager.

The previous Functions manager worked 9 to 5 Monday to Friday with every weekend off. I was instructed I'd be doing 2 Duty Manager shifts weekly due to lack of staff, I'm very flexible and this was not a problem doing two late shifts a week as I was apreciative of my promotion.

After several weeks my hourly rate was increased a further 50cent. I was told I would be covering the reception due to holidays, again not a problem. However, when the receptionist returned from her holidays two part-timers left and I was again asked to cover the desk, I presumed it was until replacements were found.

Its now come to light that there will be no replcements and I will be Functions manager working from the reception desk, doing reception shifts, ie 7am-3pm or 3pm-11pm and every third weekend off. I have asked for a raise numeous times and have been told that maybe after Christmas my rate will go up. What infuriates me though, is that the Head receptioist is on €12.50/hr while I'm on €11.00 /hr and the only difference in her job is that she puts the reception roster together. We both invoice customers, both chase up outstanding debts, both do receptionist duties, I on the other hand have the added responsibilities of Functions Manager; Ordering decorations for parties, flowers for weddings, organising the Wedding car and Driver, security if needs be etc. general Conference & Banqueting co-ordination.

I feel like a special offer two for one shampoo and conditioner, they have two staff members in me and yet I get paid less than my colleage that does less work than me.

Am I being unreasonable? Should I just shut up and put up? I know that money doesn't make the world go round and I've never been money orientated but I feel so taken for granted and if the wage matched the responsibility I know I wouldn't be so whiny.

The reception shifts will soon be changed to 12 hour shifts; 7am-7pm, 3days on 3 days off 4 days on 4 days off, I've been told that a shfit allowance should be applied, is this true? And does anyone know what this should be?

Finally, does anyone know what is the average rate for a functions manager? Sorry if I come across as a moany cow. Thanks

copacetic

sounds like you are being shafted to me, but is it all good experience? it sounds like you are building up a good CV, so possibly look at the big picture. As far as I know most hotels are always looking for staff, why not look around and see what is available as a function manager? At the very least you will have a better idea if what to be asking for money wise in your current position...

Bluetonic

Which are you more concerned with? The fact that the head receptionist is earning more money than you or that you are not earning enough money?

Your roughly on a salary of 23k which for experience of hotel work of a year and for the roles and responsibilities you've noted seems to be a good wage.

What else does your 'package' consist of? Holidays? Sick Pay? Pension? Bonus? All these need to taken into consideration too.

The difference between say 23k and 26k is not a lot net pay wise.

Your also not telling us anything about the head receptionist and their experience and length of serivce.

As a note going forward in your career you should NEVER use a fellow employees rate of pay as a reference point when asking for a rise or when discussing your own pay, it's very unprofessional.

nesf

The head receptionist may be there longer, may have more qualification or whatever. I wouldn't be comparing wages with people who don't have the same role as you. There really is no point. Seniority and experience can count for a lot in wage brackets.

Asking for raises "constantly" isn't going to make you any friends either imho.

Being put on the reception desk is ****ty enough but you did get something of a payrise for it and it could be useful for your CV, proof of you being flexable. Though tbh, every third weekend off is harsh, but that's the hospitality industry for you


Are they getting enough functions to justify you just working as a functions manager? As in, is there a full week's work in it? It doesn't sound like it. That could explain why they have you at reception too.

Personally, I'd wait out til Christmas and see if a pay rise or change arrised. It's not like working as a receptionist is something you're not trained to do after all and if you feel overworked or swamped then you should talk to your manager about it. But if it's just that you have a busy work day, but everything gets done, then I don't think you can really complain hugely imho.

(This was the right place to post this btw )

Dundhoone

Bluetonic wrote:

As a note going forward in your career you should NEVER use a fellow employees rate of pay as a reference point when asking for a rise or when discussing your own pay, it's very unprofessional.

Why not? If the head receptionist has a reasonably similar length of experience and they are carrying out a similar role, its not unreasonable to compare the hourly rates.

People seem to be consumed by the notion that they have to keep their salary secret, that maybe they are getting a better deal than somebody else. Its clearly something which benefits an employer hugely and puts the worker at a disadvantage. If we were all open about what we earn, and using other employees (in a similar role with similar experience) rate of pay as reference, employers wouldnt get away with "yellow packing ".

whippet

it sounds to me that the word 'manager' is totally out of context.

In essence you were given a slight pay rise to look after some additional duties in relation to function rooms.

Are you involved in the sales of the function room, marketing of the function services? or is someone else 'managing' this side of it?

Any job within a hotel will require flexability and only a hand full will be mon-fri 9-5.

I would also advise against using a collegue's wage as an argument for a pay rise that you want. From what I see you have just returned from a year out, has the other receptionist unbroken service?

It just sounds to me like you don't like the tag receptionist, do not like the job and are hoping that you can fulfill the 'function managers' roll full time.

The word 'manager' should be only used in it's correct context.

HJMC

Thanks so much for your advice everyone

Bluetonic wrote:

What else does your 'package' consist of? Holidays? Sick Pay? Pension? Bonus? All these need to taken into consideration too.

The difference between say 23k and 26k is not a lot net pay wise.

Your also not telling us anything about the head receptionist and their experience and length of serivce.

No sick pay, pension or bonus, we do get 2 weeks holiday pay. With regard to the head receptionist, I was offered her role last year and turned it down as she was in the hotel a year longer than me and I thought it would cause friction, then I decided to travelling anyway. We have the same experience and she also left for several months and returned as receptionist.

Whippet wrote:

Are you involved in the sales of the function room, marketing of the function services? or is someone else 'managing' this side of it?

Yep I sure am and at the moment am very busy advertising our Christmas party nights. Basically anything to do with a function be it a funeral, a christening a meeting or conference, wedding or 21st I look after it, I look after guests from, if its a small group say 20 for a sit down meal in the restaurant I look after them, or a group for finger food in the bar, they are my babies and of course the function room is for up to 200 so I look after them too. So I assure you I'm not using the term "Manager" loosley (spelt wrong sorry).

Anyhoo, thanks again for all the advice, what do you make of the shift work? Is there something called a shift allowance? If so are hotel staff entitled to it? Cheers

Victor

HJMC wrote:

Its now come to light that there will be no replcements and I will be Functions manager working from the reception desk, doing reception shifts, ie 7am-3pm or 3pm-11pm and every third weekend off. I have asked for a raise numeous times and have been told that maybe after Christmas my rate will go up.

But November - December is the prime functions period. Shop around for another job and tell them if X doesn't happen, then ...

HJMC

Victor wrote:

But November - December is the prime functions period. Shop around for another job and tell them if X doesn't happen, then ...

I'm too scared to look for another job, I hate those first couple of "Fitting in" weeks. I've decided to sit it out till after Christmas, it looks better on the cv, rather than 6 or 7 months experienc it'll be nearly a year and after Christmas they'll need me more (the receptionist is leaving in Febuary) so hopefully it'll all come good. Thanks