How To Recruit And Retain Restaurant Employees
The turnover rates in restaurants have always been higher than in many other fields and have only worsened over the last year. So many variables go into hiring and retaining great employees, especially in post Covid times. Here are a few ways to recruit and retain great employees.
A Good Fit
Many people currently have their choice of employers, jobs are abundant, and those looking want to make sure where they’re going is going to be a “good fit” for them. A good fit can depend on the personality of both the potential employee, the employees who already work there, the employer and the working environment. Personalities that don’t clash is important in building a great team that will last. When hiring, you should seek not only qualified people but people who will also compliment your team and help make it better.
Morale
Workplace morale is a huge driving factor in retaining employees. When people are unhappy at work, it can make everyone else around them, including customers, suffer too. Sometimes it can be other employees “Poisoning the well,” and sometimes it can be the boss or manager that makes the employees unhappy. To ensure your employees are happy, you should check in with them frequently and encourage them to bring important matters to your attention before things worsen.
Pay
Sometimes pay can be a touchy subject to discuss, but the truth of the matter is that pay is a huge driving factor for employee recruitment and retaining employees. Sometimes employees will leave a job they are otherwise happy with for a job that pays more. Make sure that you’re offering fair, livable wages for your employees as well as regularly providing raises to those that deserve them.
Hours
As an employer, flexibility with hours can make or break a new hire, or even an employee with a commitment that’s come up well into their career with you. It is essential to keep in mind that employees are people and have lives outside of work, so giving them hours that work for both you and them is very important. Make sure you are also scheduling them the hour amounts that you both committed to. If they depend on working a full-time schedule, it is important that they get that, so they don’t have to seek work elsewhere.
Rewards
It is always important to recognize employees at your restaurant when they accomplish something or meet a goal. Reward hard-working staff with small bonuses or prizes. This encourages a little bit of healthy competition for employees to work harder. Bonuses can be cash or actual prizes like sought-after items or even a trip if it is in your budget.
Growth
Room for growth is key to a lot of people that are looking for employment. When there’s no room for upward movement, it is hard to retain employees who want more out of their jobs and careers. In small operations, this can be difficult to navigate. Still, positions like “shift lead,” assistant manager, night manager, bar manager, kitchen manager, etc., can help with growth ability, and it can help delegate some of your workloads.
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