Page 12 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
Right. No messing around with Holly. Professional mode only. “I’d like to plan the party for a few days after the new hires arrive. Can you post the job listings for your staff today?”
“Yeah.” She rubbed her forehead. “But I can’t work extra hours. I have…stuff at home that I can’t get out of. I really can’t come in early to conduct interviews.”
Stuff?Sounded a little vague, but Holly clearly liked to keep information to herself. If we were going to meet our goal, we didn’t really have a choice but to work extra hours. “I’m not trying to be a jerk here, but sacrifices will have to be made. It’s just the way it is until we increase profits.”
Her nostrils flared. “I’ll post the positions today. What’s next on your agenda?”
“Can you set up a meeting with our produce supplier? Our costs are high, but I have an idea that may work moving forward to reduce our costs.”
She looked at the ceiling. “Yes. But it will have to wait until after interviews are done. As I said before, I have other commitments outside of work hours, and it’s not easy for me to dedicate my entire day to the restaurant.”
“This may come as a shock to you”—I smirked—“but I don’t like working twenty-four-seven either.” It really wasn’t good for my mental health.
She snorted. “That is shocking.”
“Ha-ha,” I deadpanned. “Our action items for now are to post available positions and get new staff hired as soon as possible. Once that’s taken care of, we’ll set a date for the party. If you can order the food, I’ll do the rest.”
She scribbled something on her tablet with a stylus. “Done. You mentioned a reward system. What did you have in mind?”
It was the same program I’d put into place in previous restaurants. “I’d like to do bi-annual performance reviews with each employee.” I held up a hand to stop her protest. “First, there’s a quiz I’d like everyone to take about strengths. It’s quick and easy. But it will give us a baseline for who excels where. After everyone knows their top five strengths, I’d like you and me, along with each employee, to establish three goals they want to work on. They’ll be graded on the typical A through F scale on how they’re performing. If an employee receives all A’s, they’ll get a bonus. If they get a mix of A’s and B’s, they’ll get a gift card. If they get anything less than all B’s, they’ll be given a warning. If they don’t improve by the next review, it’s up to us to determine if they’re terminated or put on probation with one more chance to prove themselves.”
Holly’s eyes glazed over.
“I know this is a lot,” I said. “I promise you, I’ve applied similar strategies in other restaurants, and it works. Employees get a chance to workwithus to create their goals, and they get rewarded, which increases workplace productivity and makes for an overall happier environment. Not to mention, you have employees you actually want to work with and help improve their skill set.”
Her shoulders sagged. “What you’re proposing sounds like a good idea. I’m just overwhelmed by it all.”
I empathized with her. The scope of everything we had to accomplish to reach our goal in time was like being told all the elves at the North Pole had quit and it was up to Holly and me to save Christmas. It was daunting and super stressful. But if we worked together, it would ease both our burdens.
“Holly—” I caught myself and started over in a kinder tone. “Chef Dewhurst, I’m not trying to swoop in here and complicate your life or demand you spend every waking moment at the restaurant. I am asking a lot, but these extra requirements won’t last forever.” I paused, worried what she’d think about my next suggestion. “I recommend that Nico and Kevin cover the kitchen for you a few hours every evening so you can focus on the management side of the business. Once the party is over, we’ve visited suppliers, and established this new employee reward and review system, you can go back to cooking full time.”
Her lips pulled into a straight line. After a moment she said, “I’ll talk to Nico and Kevin. To clarify, I’m only in charge of implementing the employee review with my staff, correct? I don’t need to help with yours?”
“You don’t need to worry about anyone outside the kitchen.”
Her brows furrowed. “And I can do mine on my own? Without you?”
Did she hate spending time in my company that much? My ego took a hit every meeting I had with Holly.I rubbed the side of my neck. “Since this is the first time you’re hearing about this program, I will assist so you can see how it works. In six months, you can decide if you want to handle them by yourself.”
“Fine.”
I held my hands out. “Great. That’s all I wanted to discuss today. Please keep me updated when you schedule interviews. I’d like to help.”
Holly stood. “I will.”
“If you need assistance with anything else, please let me know.”
“I’ll be fine,” she said, walking out the door.
Of course she’d say that.
Why would Holly ever need anything from me?
Chapter 5
Holly
I’dworkedmorehoursthan I ever had before. I missed Mom. I missed my bed. I missed not bribing Trevor and Noah to cover for me. The last two weeks exhausted me, and I had nothing to show for it.
