I’ve been asked to fill in for our GM who’s on maternity leave. Help!

Dear Aunty B,

I have been asked to take over my GMs position while she is away on maternity leave. She has already told me she is not going to return to her position as she wants to work very little in the next few years.

My problem is I have been asked to do the GM job on the salary I am on. And when I asked about making changes, I was told I was to be in a caretaker role until she returns and to keep things as they are. When I told the CEO that she had indicated to me she won’t be returning to that role he said, well we don’t know that do we? Women change their minds.

Now I have found out that she doesn’t have to tell us her plans until a month before she returns… which could be a year!

What should I do, Aunty? Should I take the position and hope I will get the job when she finally tells us she is not coming back?
Lou

Dear Lou,

Heavens. They must think you are a push over. And pushovers don’t make good GMs. Here is what you must do. Prepare a one page plan. Outline your vision for the job. Outline how it will be executed, what it would cost – or savings that will be made – the outcomes you expect and how they will be measured. Find out what the GM was on. Find out market rates for that position. Put a price on yourself and tell your CEO you will do the job, carry out the plan and be paid accordingly. Otherwise stay in your current position and look for another job.

Good luck!
Your Aunty B

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