It’s no secret that employee engagement and turnover in the restaurant industry is suffering. Labor crisis and pandemic aside, the industry often serves (see what we did there?) as a stepping stone. For many young people, working at a restaurant is their first job, so turnover is inevitable. However, there are plenty of individuals who serve in the industry because that’s where their passion lies.
Continue reading to learn how to foster a positive work environment to promote higher restaurant employee engagement and retention. Plus, discover the secret ingredient that can replicate the success of your best employees. (Hint: These users see a 43% improvement in 90-day employee retention, on average.)
1. Offer Competitive Pay
If you want hourly workers to show loyalty and dedication to your company, then you need to pay them a tempting wage. Better pay will motivate your staff to consistently exceed expectations. If your staff doesn’t have to worry about making ends meet, they can focus on daily operations — like providing exceptional guest service. Plus, 67% of job seekers are more likely to apply to your restaurant if the wage is in the posting.
2. Prioritize Time Off
Taking a mental health day is actually one of the best ways to reduce stress, decrease burnout, and recharge your mind for the work day. Encourage your employees to take time off when they need it — regardless of their reasoning. This will show them you care about their well-being and work-life balance. Bonus points if you pay attention to detail while building their schedules so everybody has a fair chance of getting a Friday or alternating weekend off. Your employees will thank you.
3. Give Consistent Feedback
Schedule regular check-ins and staff meetings to develop professional relationships and increase employee engagement. Praise them for their accomplishments and offer constructive criticism. This is also a good time to ask your workers for their thoughts on menu items, service ideas, customer feedback, and how they think your restaurant could improve. Sharing their opinions with you will make them feel valued, and restaurant staff engagement will naturally increase.
4. Provide Training and Opportunity for Growth
It’s crucial that restaurant workforce management offers opportunities for growth. For example, if you already have an all-star team that shows potential, consider hiring internally when positions become available. Not only will your employees appreciate the opportunity to interview before you find an external hire, but giving them a shot will instill trust amongst your team.
Bonus Tip: Hire and Retain Restaurant Staff With Sprockets
What if you could predict which applicants are the right hire before the interview and without a resume? It’s possible with Sprockets. Our Applicant Matching System reveals which potential hires will succeed like your current top performers, empowering you to build passionate, driven teams. It’s proven to work and trusted by top brands like Burger King and Chick-fil-A to increase employee retention (a measurement of restaurant employee engagement!) by 43%.