Got a real Christmas present right before the holiday when an newspaper ad announced that a new general manager for Hotel Hell was being sought.

If you've read previous posts from me, you'll recall that I once worked at a hotel where the entire front office and desk were comprised of a middle-aged bitch clique that hated guys and even women who were smart, attractive, independent thinkers, etc.

They would shout harshly when demanding a bellman or valet, would try to boss the housekeepers around, and would throw "office parties" that only they were invited to. They'd place cakes and snacks out in common areas, then scold non-clique members for innocently trying to sample them. When I as Bell Captain tried to point out how abusive this was to the general manager, he defended them ("best not to make THEM angry at you...")  Pictures of clique get-togethers would be posted on hotel bulletin boards, often showing the clique arrayed in similar postures. Think of what a group of unattractive, middle-aged cheerleaders would look like...

When one of my staff recommended one of the front desk clique for employee of the month for a courtesy, the result was tell-tale. The clique stopped speaking to her, and her hours were cut.

After a short while, she began making my staff member's life hell. He finally cracked and told her to f*ck off. Suddenly, she was the clique's darling. The gm, with two clique members flanking his desk told me  terminate him. I knew what had happened and called it as I saw it-an bold attempt by this clique to eliminate all, especially those who were trying to be nice. It was an outrage....The gm had to fire him personally. I was eventually fired too. 

Their goal, quite simply, was to get rid of just about anyone, and then attack the new hires ASAP.

They even got one of their number promoted to general manager in the choas after the resort was sold. Their biggest triumph was probably getting this ankle-biter promoted after the old gm temporarily was made resort president. He was in his 50's and married, but had been carrying on with a 20-year-old blonde front desk manager. Once he was out of the building, they fired her.

Only one year later, the noose is tightening. It began with the termination of a couple of clique wannabees (one had actually dyed her hair silver to fit in with the middle aged clique!) Then a series of meetings tightly defining proper interoffice attitudes, responsibilities and practices.

At the same time, the new gm must have felt the pressure to perform. However, with only a questionable sales manager background (she allowed clients to walk over her all the time), no formal training as a hotel manager, and an increasing backlog of past employees that were eager to expose her and the clique for what they were, it must have made for an uncomfortable ride.

For my part, I cc'd a three page copy of my letter to the original owners of the resort regarding the clique issues there to the NEW owners. Gee, clique ladies, you didn't think I'd just go away did you?

The gm has been dispatched to parts unknown. The current ad call for "serious candidates with 5-7 years of hotel management experience, willing to deal evenly with personnel and guest issues to minimize turnover and maximize profits".

This is the end of the clique. Let's hope the new owners are smart enough to prevent the formation of a new one!