{"id":25401,"date":"2023-06-27T08:43:43","date_gmt":"2023-06-27T13:43:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gfs.com\/?p=25401"},"modified":"2025-12-23T14:36:26","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T19:36:26","slug":"all-hands-on-deck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gfs.com\/es-us\/ideas\/all-hands-on-deck\/","title":{"rendered":"All Hands on Deck"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The line between back and front of house for many industry operators has become blurred as the need for cross-training employees has become crucial for survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that the food service continues to struggle as operators attempt to come back from a devastating two years following the pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s estimated that 3.5 million U.S. workers have left the industry since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, said Gordon Food Service\u00ae Business Solutions Specialist Carolyn Corcoran, based in Allegheny Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But for those who have stayed, the benefits of cross-training help them as much as it does the overall operation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou have a level of security within your job. You have the extra hours and it\u2019s guaranteed income. Everybody wins with having cross-training available,\u201d she said. \u201cStaff learns secondary positions. They learn to move with the flow of service and that elevates the stress from staff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The concept isn\u2019t exactly new to the industry, but it\u2019s becoming more common and essential for many operators to remain open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou learn to do the job of two people,\u201d she said. \u201cYou learn more about the industry and you\u2019re more invested in the company.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Teach Them and They Will Stay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gordon Food Service\u00ae Culinary Specialist Heidi Kise, based in the Chicago area, said there is little downside for an employee to be cross-trained.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKnowledge is power and gives people the opportunity to grow in the organization,\u201d she said. \u201cIt just takes a boss or one owner to give them a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corcoran said operators need to lay out the perks of learning a new skill before throwing them into something. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s easier said than done, but explain to staff why it benefits them. That\u2019s how you get them on board. When you really believe in it, they will believe in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what Corcoran suggests: <\/p>\n\n\n\n