Labor difficulties persist for restaurants, which are reporting a slowdown in hiring as the typically busy holiday season approaches. This makes reducing turnover and employee retention more important than ever.
A National Restaurant Association survey suggests 78% of restaurants can’t recruit enough employees to meet demand, which has resulted in reducing hours of operation, dining room capacity and menu size.
Hiring staff is expensive. So is scheduling to cover vacancies, recruiting job candidates and onboarding and training. It’s actually less costly to invest in motivating employees so they will stick around. Here is a reminder of some proven strategies:
Have an IMPACT on retention
Use the IMPACT approach to engage employees and remind them why their work matters:
- I — Involved. Deepen bonds by showing you’re invested in the team’s outcome.
- M — Mentor. Guide your team through unfamiliar situations to build confidence.
- P — Pay. Compensate them in ways that go beyond hourly wages.
- A — Appreciate. Single out top performers publicly, if possible.
- C — Challenge. Offer opportunities so people reach to perform at a higher level.
- T — Trust. Create a relationship that encourages people to bring concerns to you.
Leadership enhances retention
Most employees don’t quit a job, they quit a boss. Retain employees by being a boss who balances being in charge and understanding human behavior. Workers are more likely to stick around when you exhibit leadership skills like these:
Plan check-ins and evaluations
- Schedule performance meetings to track growth.
- Giving advice builds confidence
- Listening to feedback strengthens relationships
Offer ongoing education
- Have open training for food, beverage and kitchen skills.
- Paying for ongoing certifications invests in your team
- Building their skills benefits cross-training and promotion
Connect with employees
- Yes, it’s a business, but it’s not all about business.
- Ask employees about their lives outside of work
- Organize staff appreciation activities
Offer incentives
It doesn’t take much to show appreciation:
- Offer a cash reward based on attendance or number of call-ins
- Give bonuses based on progress and improvement
- Provide a free staff dinner to everyone
- Reward people with the choice to work preferential sections, desired shifts, or assign them to lucrative events, like parties or events
- Create an “Employee of the Month” to honor and motivate team members
Ask your Gordon Food Service Sales Representative about “Staff Smarts,” our staffing guide to help you manage today’s labor challenges.
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