DS has started hating his job since a change of management

[MagicWorkout]

I know it's his issue and he'll have to deal with it, but I'm looking for support in offering him "counsel".

He works for a large company that runs as small franchises. He's been there 2 years and has been promoted to assistant manager. He's enjoyed it, gets on with everyone and gets excellent appraisals. DS is about to embark on their degree apprenticeship programme.

This franchise has 3 stores and a manager who has been there for 19 years, is considered by the management to be one of their best (ie he gets good financial results). He does however also have a reputation as a bully. After apparently being on a last warning at another store, he's been moved to the one where DS works.

DS is usually very laid back, but he's been coming home increasingly cross and upset since this man arrived. Today he has left promptly when his shift ended after running a section on half the staff that should have been scheduled and then told he'd done a bad job because things were a bit slow. This manger had demanded he stayed late to finish what he (his team) "should" have done.

DS is ready to leave, but I am advising caution because up to now he's enjoyed the work, they've been good employers and he has the opportunity of the degree apprenticeship to lose.

DS would be willing to talk to senior management about the way this man is threatening staff retention (which is a big problem for them, which the franchiseanager is currently.working on strategies to improve) and I believe he would do that calmly and constructively. However, the overall manager of the store and the franchise manager (not owner) all went to school together and are thick as thieves, so DS feels there's nowhere to turn.

What would you advise DS to do?

If it’s a large company can he ask for a transfer within to another store? Is he wedded to the area he’s in now or could he go anywhere?

I should also say that if he'd been asked nicely or even treated decently he'd have stayed. He's often late home or does an additional shift to help someone out.

@PotteringAlong

If it’s a large company can he ask for a transfer within to another store? Is he wedded to the area he’s in now or could he go anywhere?

Yes, that's one thing he wants to do. He can walk to work atm so it would come at a cost, but it might be a good thing for him to see how another (larger) store works.

He thinks the store manager would block it, but that could just be his current frame of mind talking.

And he can frame it as wanting more experience in a bigger store / different area etc etc

Your son works hard and works well. It doesn't matter that this new manager is friends with the big bosses if they respect your son as an employee. If he's ready to leave anyway he's got nothing to lose by speaking to them first.

The alternative is that he requests a transfer.

I think your son should try to avoid leaving if he can

1/request a transfer. My view is the company probably realise this problem manager burns through staff, no real reason for your son to bring it to their attention, especially as he can focus on the positive reasons he’d like to move
2/ if no transfer, THEN consider speaking up

It’s very common for this type of person (abrasive but gets financial results) to get moved around companies: HR etc will be aware of the problem already