If she and Robert are at a complete stalemate on something, who gets the tie-breaking vote? Can Mary override a decision Cora has made regarding the staff?
If she and Robert are at a complete stalemate on something, who gets the tie-breaking vote? Can Mary override a decision Cora has made regarding the staff?
No, Robert and Cora make decisions about staff as they are the master and mistress of Downton.
It's in the estate where Mary has authority as she owns half of it and works an an agent. Formerly Robert had the final vote but Mary and Tom could persuade him by making good suggestions. On the other hand Robert could make decisions without consulting Mary (Mr Drwe had to leave the farm and it was later given to Mr Mason).
After Robert's illness Mary became "Queen Mary" as Tom said. As seen in the episode where Downton was opened to the public, Robert could murmur but not change Mary's decision.
The staff would be the same; to make the estate self sufficient, they cannot have hundreds of staff -- so Mary would make staffing decisions and cuts too.
Actually it wasn't Mary but Robert who (finally) wanted less staff and give over having an under butler.
The most pitiable case is Henry who has no authority at all over the staff or estate, save using the traditional women's means "pillow talk".