Running a site takes more than people see
You open up, cover the shifts nobody else can, deal with suppliers and handle complaints on a Saturday night. Most of your time is on your feet moving between the floor, the bar and the office. The physical risk is lower than in the kitchen, but the hours are long.
Burnout, anxiety and back trouble from years of standing are the issues insurers tend to see from managers. Be honest about any time off for mental health. Insurers ask, and a full answer protects your claim later.
Salary, bonus and company sick pay
Many managers earn a salary plus a bonus tied to sales or margins, and some share in a tronc. An insurer works out your maximum benefit from earnings it can check, so keep payslips and your P60. A large bonus that changes each year may be averaged.
Restaurant groups differ a lot on sick pay. Some pay full salary for a few months, others pay only the statutory amount. Find your contract and read the sickness section before you choose a waiting period.
- Full company sick pay for three months: a 13 week deferred period may fit
- Statutory sick pay only: a shorter wait of four weeks is worth pricing
- Savings to cover a few months: a longer wait lowers the premium
Death in service and life cover
Larger chains sometimes include death in service, paying a multiple of salary if you die while employed. It ends when you leave, and managers in hospitality change employer often. A personal life policy stays with you from job to job.
If you have a mortgage, decreasing or level term cover can clear it. Family income benefit pays a monthly sum instead, which some parents find easier to plan around.
Planning for the move up or out
Restaurant managers often step into area manager roles, join a different group or take on a lease of their own. Each move changes your pay, your benefits and possibly your risk class. Set a reminder to review your cover after a promotion, because a higher salary may justify a higher benefit and insurers will only pay what your policy allows.
If you start your own restaurant, your employer sick pay disappears overnight. Income protection bought while employed can usually continue after you go self-employed, though you should tell the insurer about the change in job. Some policies let you increase cover at certain life events without fresh medical questions, which helps when your circumstances change fast.
- Review cover after a promotion or new contract
- Tell your insurer if your duties change a lot
- Check whether your policy allows increases without new medical questions
Advice from Hi Tomorrow for managers
We check what your employer already provides, then fill the gaps instead of doubling up. We compare insurers that treat your job as management rather than manual work, and we explain how each one defines incapacity.
You speak to a UK based adviser, and our advice on personal protection is free. We help with the application and stay on hand if you ever need to claim.