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Topic: Getting to know employees in large theatres...

James Westbrook
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1133
From: Lubbock, Texas, Usa
Registered: Mar 2006

posted 04-16-2008 01:08 AM

My 16 screen theatre has only 30 employees with minimal turnover. We are an older crew. Most of my co-workers are working full-time elsewhere and work at the Movies so they can see free movies.
We are also rather slow, business wise. (Then again...so is everybody else right now...)

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Joe Redifer
You need a beating today

Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99

posted 04-16-2008 01:53 AM

quote: Robert LaValley
Management click and a Staff Click

You mean clique?

quote: Mike Blakesley
When I was there, the room had been totally wrecked by vandals.

How so? Why were you there? When was it?

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Christopher Crouch
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 128
From: Holywood, ca, usa
Registered: May 2006

posted 04-16-2008 05:28 AM

quote: Ian Agar
Considering the size of the theatre, and how employees are spread out all over, I cannot understand how such socialization exists. Therefore, I am here to ask what it's like.

There is definitely a degree of difficulty in bonding with a great number of coworkers at a larger theatre. I once worked at a mega plex with 200 people on staff and didn't even know the names of many. In addition to there simply being "too many" people to get to know with any degree of familiarity, there were often individuals who always worked opposing shifts or areas. As such, you tended to bond with a specific group (i.e. you could still socialize/get to know/etc., just not with everyone).

On the plus side, a larger staff usually equates to a greater variety of personalities and interests, increasing the chances of encountering individuals who you might enjoy socializing with.

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Mike Blakesley
Film God

Posts: 12767
From: Forsyth, Montana
Registered: Jun 99

posted 04-16-2008 09:41 AM

quote: Joe Redifer
How so? Why were you there? When was it?

It was about 4 or 5 years ago. We were in Denver for a family reunion and we decided to take a night off from all the family "fun" to go to the movies. We went to the Chinese just because I thought it would be cool -- I'd heard about it but never seen it.

The restroom I went into had had one toilet completely ripped off the wall. A couple of the dividers between stalls were missing. Wallpaper was torn off in spots too. And, the room was strewn with trash. Couldn't tell how long it had been since the damage, so it could have been recent enough that they hadn't had time to fix it up.

The concession stand was a mess. Popcorn all over the floor, sticky countertops. I especially remember a large pool of red syrup or something on the floor, apparently leaking from a machine, that the crew was just walking thru.

HOWEVER, the most important part of the evening -- the movie presentation -- was flawless and the auditorium was nice with good seats. So it was a good/bad experience.

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Robert LaValley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 104
From: Tampa, FL
Registered: May 2007

posted 04-16-2008 01:38 PM

quote: Joe Redifer
You mean clique?

<- yes. I have a tendency to spell phonectically at times.

quote: Chris Slycord
What the hell does shooting the shit mean?

<- To have a conversation about nothing truely important.

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Sean McKinnon
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1712
From: Peabody Massachusetts
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 04-16-2008 05:41 PM

To get back on topic and out of the shitter...

When I managed a 20 with about 150 employees I would like to think I got to know every single employee pretty well, some better than others but I always made the effort. I think as a manager it is a HUGE part of the job to get to know your employees no matter how many you have.

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Robert LaValley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 104
From: Tampa, FL
Registered: May 2007

posted 04-16-2008 07:27 PM

quote: Sean McKinnon
I think as a manager it is a HUGE part of the job to get to know your employees no matter how many you have.

I find this is true however I also find that sometimes when people get a title they take themselves too seriously which makes them less approachable and further hinders socializing between management and staff.

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Sean McKinnon
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1712
From: Peabody Massachusetts
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 04-17-2008 06:12 PM

lol you are so right. I dont know why but that "too seriously" line reminded me of a time when I came up with a policy that I knew would be unpopular so to get the employees to go along with it I told them that "some idiot" came up with this "stupid, new policy" and that "I didn't like it anymore than they did" but that "you know it's my job and I am going to get in trouble if we don't follow this so I am going to have to enforce this" and "I would appreciate if you guys would help me out and just follow it" Worked like a charm! [Big Grin]

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Aaron Mehocic
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 804
From: New Castle, PA, USA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 04-19-2008 02:28 PM

I do not know any of our floor staff and have not mingled with a downstairs crew for probably 5 - 6 years. Its better that way when most of them are high school or college age girls. My wife would have a problem with that, I'm sure.

Besides, what is their to talk about, the prom?

[puke]

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Robert LaValley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 104
From: Tampa, FL
Registered: May 2007

posted 04-19-2008 09:19 PM

quote: Aaron Mehocic
Besides, what is their to talk about, the prom?

At alot of the theatres I have been at the age difference between management and staff is VERY little. For example my GM is 23 years old and her assistant is also 23. I'm actually the oldest person on the staff being 30 not counting our sole senior citizen usher of 72 years young.

Most of the "talk" is really just day to day bs really. Its not like were talking deep conversations here. haha

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Aaron Mehocic
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 804
From: New Castle, PA, USA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 04-19-2008 10:59 PM

You're right, but I've had some deep discussions with staff in the past. Probably the most abstract was on Hamiltonian economic policy following the American Revolution. With that being said, however, the kid was having some trouble understanding it in school and sought me out because I teach it at the college level.

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Chris Slycord
Film God

Posts: 2986
From: 청주시, 경북도, South Korea
Registered: Mar 2007

posted 04-20-2008 12:14 AM

quote: Aaron Mehocic
I do not know any of our floor staff and have not mingled with a downstairs crew for probably 5 - 6 years. Its better that way when most of them are high school or college age girls. My wife would have a problem with that, I'm sure.

I completely understand where you're coming from on this. While I'm not married it felt weird when this girl staff member was constantly (when I ventured downstairs for a drink) starting up conversations with me and it didn't take long for me to realize she was hitting on me. The whole time I'm thinking "I'm WAY too old for her; doesn't she see I'm balding?" Then when she asked how old I was she was surprised I was 27 (28 now) and didn't speak to me again (likely realizing that I'm too old).

Seriously, I'd feel weird being in grad school and dating a girl still in HS even if there wasn't a policy against fraternization.

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Robert LaValley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 104
From: Tampa, FL
Registered: May 2007

posted 04-20-2008 03:13 AM

quote: Chris Slycord
Seriously, I'd feel weird being in grad school and dating a girl still in HS even if there wasn't a policy against fraternization

I know I brought up "fraternization policy" in a previous post but over all staying away from the dating thing is probably a good idea. I think the whole topic of this is more of being friends with staff "AKA getting to know them" then really dating them. I think if we bring dating into the mix of this conversation were opening up a whole new can of worms.

I do think moral and the whole "team" vibe is hurt alot if a fraternization or no close relationship policy is enforced to the point where people get into trouble for being friends. Obviously management would be judged for the position they hold but over-all staff that find their management more approachable usually are more productive then when they feel management doesnt care about them or are A-holes. Hence why getting to know the staff in some ways is a good thing for business.

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Chris Slycord
Film God

Posts: 2986
From: 청주시, 경북도, South Korea
Registered: Mar 2007

posted 04-20-2008 07:32 AM

I think I'm pretty well approachable; I just have only have been scheduled booth shifts since transferring (they needed someone who knew how to do that stuff more than they needed me downstairs).

Heck, I've had a fair number of conversations with coworkers about my school since there are a lot of people who don't know anything about acupuncture or that there's a school for it a few blocks from the theater. I'll have to hand out some brochures to the ones who actually wanted to try it out at our student clinic.

Though, admittedly I imagine more staffers know about that part of me than I know things about them. My memory isn't the best anymore and I'm generally there ~20 hours a week.

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Robert Throop
Master Film Handler

Posts: 412
From: Vernon, NY USA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 04-22-2008 11:52 AM

quote: Bill Gabel
At one time booths had to have bathrooms.

In New York state bathrooms are still required either in the booth or on the same level within 50 ft.
Bob

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