Hiring new employees and retaining good employees is the biggest problem facing restaurants these days.
Hiring new employees and retaining good employees is the biggest problem facing restaurants these days.
The pressure of COVID-19 has changed people’s thinking and, according to many sources, a good percentage of workers in foodservice are thinking of changing jobs or getting out of the industry altogether.
Last newsletter, I offered methods of recruiting new employees.
Today, I would like to talk about retaining staff.
First, a hands-on owner has a big advantage over national chain operations. A hands-on owner can create a welcoming culture in his or her restaurant and maintain that culture better than any top-down orders given by corporate ownership to its managers.
You not only need to provide a superior customer experience but you also need to provide a superior employee experience.
Most employees are satisfied with a competitive wage. But that is just one factor. Employees today also want security, a sense of belonging, and benefits if available.
That employee security and sense of belonging or “culture” is a reflection of you as the owner.
And you must determine to develop that welcoming, positive and nurturing culture as a part of your job description as owner.
Here are some tips:
1. When interviewing new employees ask what their interests are and make notes to be able to follow up later. For instance, if that employee is a sports fan, tickets to a game as a reward may go much farther than an impersonal dollar bonus. Or remembering a birthday with a card is an inexpensive simple way to create long-term goodwill.
2. Make sure any new employee has a great first hour, great first day and great first week. Pay attention to a new employee. Make them feel welcome. Assign a “buddy” trainer. Make sure they know the rules and procedures. Check back with them at the end of the day and again at the end of the week. Ask their opinion of things. This is a good time to ask if they have any friends who may want a job. New employees are a powerful source of finding new workers.
3. Be positive and friendly with all employees. Your attitude will rub off on them. Show employees ways to make more money by being better.
4. www.RestaurantOwner.com has training videos and are a fantastic source for uplifting the employee experience.
5. Create a special sponsorship for your restaurant where everyone participates. A local ice show, a river cleanup, thanksgiving charity work, feeding the homeless. Something that builds teamwork, shows you care and you can also get publicity out of.
