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(frFR) Trouver et conserver son personnel dans la restauration : comment faire ?
Everyone knows how difficult it is today to find and keep quality staff. This is also a problem in the hospitality sector. And perhaps even more so than in other sectors. It has become very difficult to find and keep staff in this sector. Difficult, but not impossible. We had a fascinating conversation with Zargham Ghorayshian of The Horeca Coach in our Kitchen Smart podcast. This coach gives you 5 tips on how to deal with this problem intelligently and keep your employees happy.
Why is it so hard to find hospitality staff?
The recent pandemic didn’t help. Since many restaurant and café workers (temporarily) lost their job during the various lockdowns, they were forced to look (and/or re-train) for something else. Since establishments have reopened, however, the sector has rapidly gone from an excess of personnel to a shortage. Since many people discovered the importance of a good work-life balance during the lockdowns, fewer people are also willing to accept the long and irregular hours that are often part of working in the hospitality industry. In fact, at the time of writing, around 3500 unfilled hospitality jobs are currently advertised on the government employment service website.
How do I go about finding hospitality staff?
Of course, there are the usual channels for hiring new employees, like publishing job ads or contacting temping agencies. But there are other ways to improve your chances of finding the right people. We’ve gathered a few concise tips for you below. And if you want to get serious about winning the war for talent, we’ve also done a deep dive into that topic for you in a separate article.
These days, almost everyone is on social media networks like Facebook and Instagram. That includes the personnel you’re looking for. Besides the fact that social media can be a real source of value for your restaurant, it can also be a great tool for hiring staff. Write a fun post describing what it’s like to work at your establishment and the profile(s) you’re looking for. Or let one of your existing employees tell why they like working there. That will boost the authenticity and credibility even more.
Another idea is to get in touch with schools and training centers. You’ll no doubt find several candidates who are keen to put what they’ve learned into practice.
Finally, why not involve your existing personnel in the search? Maybe they know someone in their network who’s looking for a job. Word of mouth, after all, is still the best form of advertising!
How do I keep my staff engaged? 5 tips
Tip 1: Involve your employees in your business decisions
It’s important to make your staff feel like they are an important part of your establishment. Because the more included they feel, the more effort they will want to invest in it as well. So make your people an integral part of your processes, challenges, ideas, and ambitions. Include them in the running of your business. How? E.g. ask their input about how to attract new personnel, organize team activities, or include them in discussions about your new menu. By making your employees aware of how your business is run, you’ll find they will feel an even bigger part of it. And, most importantly, they will want to stay a part of it for longer.
Tip 2: Invest in your staff’s personal development
Want to keep your staff motivated? Keep on devoting time and energy to their personal development. Talk to them regularly. Find out what’s most important to them, how they want to evolve, and where they think they still have room to improve. Sit together and figure out a feasible (long-term) plan to reach certain common goals. Maybe even find a few training courses or a coach who can help them raise their game to the next level. Also be sure to give feedback. After all, we all like to hear that we’re on the right path every now and then. And if you have staff who want to develop themselves professionally and personally, that can often be a good thing for your restaurant. For example, someone who wants to learn graphic design can be unleashed on your new menus or social media posts. Or someone who likes photography can make inspiring photos for your business.
Nurture your people and watch them grow. As your employees grow, so will the level of the service they give your customers and with it, your customer satisfaction. For a difference that will ultimately impact your profit!
Tip 3: Reward your staff’s loyalty
We’re all people. And people like their efforts to be recognized. And rewarded. There’s no better motivation. You can choose to reward team achievements or individual efforts. Look for a system that ensures your personnel are rewarded for their loyalty and hard work. For example, offer them a free lunch or breakfast, extra days off, a birthday gift, or a fun team event.
No matter how you express your appreciation, make sure it comes across loud and clear. Don’t be afraid to show your vulnerable side as an employer and tell your people how important they are to your business. By showing them how much you appreciate them, your employees are more likely to remain loyal and go the extra mile for your customers.
Tip 4: Create a safe environment
By safe environment, we don’t just mean physical safety (although it goes without saying that that’s also important). We mean create an environment where your people feel confident to speak their mind – constructively and respectfully, of course. Coach your staff to communicate, to tell you about problems they encounter, and to listen to each other. As an employer and a manager, you’ll have to lead by example. So if need be, consult your own coach who can help you communicate better. Sometimes, just a few sessions are enough to spark a different mindset and to help instill a more constructive culture on the work floor. Once again, this is a win-win situation for you and your personnel. Because every employee has different insights that could make a positive impact on how you run your restaurant.
Tip 5: Ensure a healthy work-life balance
The days when we were prepared to work killer 12-hour shifts for minimum wage are over. The pandemic put an end to that. We’ve all become more acutely aware of life beyond work and we’re all keen to preserve a healthy balance between our personal and professional activities. Sadly, the hospitality industry isn’t exactly known for respecting that balance. The important thing is to be up front and transparent with your staff from the beginning. Make sure the work schedules you set are feasible and give your staff at least one weekend off per month. Try and find a rhythm that works for you and for your people over the long term. Think about hiring students or casual staff during weekends or evenings in order to give your fixed employees some extra free time.
Finding and retaining good people is good for everyone
When the right job, the right work environment, and the right people come together, it’s a real win-win for you and your employees. Follow the tips above and be prepared to go the extra mile for your employees. You’ll find that more often than not, your staff will respond in kind. Becoming more committed, more motivated, and more loyal employees on the one hand, and making the running of your business less stressful and more fun on the other. Employee relations are a crucial part of any successful enterprise. Which is why many choose to invest in a hospitality coach to kickstart the process.
Did you find this article interesting? Be sure to listen to our podcast featuring Zargham Ghorayshian from the Horeca Coach.
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