This is a long one but I am hoping you can bear with me and provide me with some guidance.
We have a Catering team who provide external Schools with lunches for which it is very profitable for us.
Last year our Chef left, giving little notice (he went sick during his notice period) and we were left with a senior catering assistant. As the school funds were low (like other schools we lost some important funding) a decision was made to run with the Senior assistant, who it was felt could step up with some support until we found a much cheaper Lead Cook (as funds are low). During this time we lost 2 key schools as they felt the quality of the food was not as good and there were mistakes along the way. Which led to a bigger reduction in revenue.
We recruited a Lead Cook with many years experience, who has come into a Kitchen where the team have no respect for him (his leadership skills are poor), they work to rule (do what they have to and then leave on the dot) and have been little support. The Lead Cook has worked hard to improve hygiene standards (these were failing, which he picked up immediately) but his cooking has not been appreciated, either by the children or the remaining Schools. For example rice pudding was sent out last week which was watery and quite frankly looked less than appealing.
The manager has carried out the probationary review and had many conversations with the LC, when the complaints come in. The LC does not seem to understand and doesn’t seem to listen.
The LC came to see me on Friday to say he feels harassed. Very stressed. Not happy with Prob review feedback and will not sign the notes. Believes management are trying to get him out (which they are as Governors are concerned we are just about to lose another school). He said that the team were unmanageable; always arguing, bitching etc. and he has had little support since he started. He has worked many hours for nothing. He said that he had received no positive feedback from anyone and was only spoken to when taken to task. When I talked to him about the feedback from schools he said that he had cooked home made food which the children didn’t seem to like as they were used to cook in type sauces.
I have looked through the probationary review notes and any meeting notes which the LM has had with the Cook, all outline a great deal about what needs to improve but nothing about timelines and consequences (of failing the probationary period) should noticeable improvements not be made.
Now the Governors and HT want to call the Cook to a final probationary review meeting which could (will) end in dismissal.
My concerns are obvious, the whole thing has not been managed at all well and I do feel the LC has had no support but does not listen to feedback, as well as the team being a nightmare to manage.
Has anyone any advice on how I can help the HT to manage this mess. If you have got this far thank you.
