I am the GM of a privately owned pickleball club. Jeff is the owner. The club has been open for just under 2 years, I have been there for just over 3 months. Jeff is a toxic owner. Trust issues, control issues you name it. He doesn’t treat staff with respect and lashes out at customers and members.
Just today I was scolded for allowing the cancellation of a program that did not meet the minimum requirement of players. The protocol is that when a session does not have 4 or more players, we will attempt to find players to fill it, if not successful the session will be cancelled. He was salty because it left his ex-wife with no play.
He also recently caused a scene with a longtime member, scolding her for not checking in at the front desk properly. The facility is small and we know everybody by name. There was no reason to scold her in front of another group of players, he easily could’ve checked her name off in the system without saying a word.
He is also disgusting, the front desk area is where he likes to hang out but cannot keep the area clean, neat or organized. Players are often greeted by him with his mouth full of food, messy hands, spilled food and used silverware stuck to the front desk counter. It doesn’t matter how many times he’s reminded to keep the area clean he refuses to eat elsewhere or to clean up after himself.
The community of players in our area is small and people talk, he is not liked by most. Players will tolerate him because they like the facility, the other staff members, and the community of players. But most players also dislike playing with him because he’s rude and bossy as a partner and also a menace. He has hit many players because his style of play is to hit hard and he never has any idea where the ball is going.
I have been in this industry long enough to know that how you treat your customers and your staff mean everything to the success of the business. An owner that trusts their staff to complete their tasks and doesn’t create issues with their members are the most successful. This business is not yet profitable and he is killing its growth potential.
So, WIBTA?
Clarification: He is not rich. He has poured his entire retirement savings into this business. Due to it still operating in the red, he keeps asking the bank for more $$ each month.
WNBTA, There is nothing wrong with letting him acknowledge, the majority opinion.
When it goes bust, then you can take it over and turn it into a successful business without Jeff.
NTA if you tell him. But be prepared to loose your job if you do.
Sounds like they will lose their job no matter what. It’s just a matter of when
NTA but let’s be honest, he isn’t going to listen and will probably fire you. But you’re right stops/fun/game centers live and die by how they treat their customers and that goes triple if it’s even vaguely specialty.
You WNBTA, but you’d be unemployed (most likely). I think you are right from what you’ve written, but he does not sound like someone who would take that kind of criticism well at all
NTA but as others have stated it may cost your job. Are you ok with that happening?
Your boss probably has money to blow and from what I read he genuinely doesn’t give a shit, which is typical of rich assholes.
Personally I wouldn’t say anything because he’s not my friend just an employer nothing more.
dont even get into the realm of needing to figure out if YTA or not. Just look for a new job and let him fail on his own. You telling him wont accomplish anything.
Exactly right. Listen to this advice.
Info: what do you think this would accomplish? Not what you think *should* happen.
INFO: are you trying to make changes or get fired? This will only accomplish the latter.
He won’t take it well and you’ll get reprimanded: and nothing will change.
It’s the people who need to hear it the most that will never accept it.
So to him, yeah, YWBTA.
People like this won’t hear what you have to say. If you need to for your own peace of mind then go for it.