Hospitality Staffing Crisis Tips

TIPS ON HOW TO COMBAT THE HOSPITALITY STAFFING CRISIS

Both Brexit & the pandemic are mutually responsible for a major staffing crisis within our wonderful industry.  It is estimated the combined effect is responsible for a shortage of 400,000+ hospitality workers per year!

Reports demonstrate businesses are struggling to fill vacancies and are having to radically adapt to combat staff shortages. Businesses are being forced to reduce trading days & hours to ensure existing personnel are not overworked, which of course will exasperate the issue.

With unemployment at a 40+ year low, recruitment is proving a significant problem for businesses who have traditionally relied on workers from the EU. The hospitality industry is the 4th largest industry in the UK and its success (or failure) has significant implications for the UK economy.

The industry must develop & implement innovative tactics in order to attract and retain quality personnel.  A change of approach to recruitment is essential if the hospitality sector is to future-proof itself against a longer-term staffing crisis.

Here are some suggestions to help businesses swerve the staffing crisis.

Ensure staff see the industry as a viable career path

Education is essential for the future of the hospitality industry. It is imperative that young people entering the workplace see hospitality as a viable career option. A coalition of industry leaders have joined forces under the guidance of Mark McCulloch to attract new talent - www.hospitalityrising.org

Figures from KAM Media show that only 1 in 5 people would consider a career in hospitality and 42% of current workers are considering leaving the industry.  Hospitality Rising have raised 700K to date to invest in an army style campaign to champion the industry and attract newcomers.  The campaign goes live Sept 2022 and will promote our industry via TV, media & billboard advertising nationwide.

Nevertheless, businesses in the sector must do more to encourage career progression whilst collectively spreading the word that our industry offers a culture of opportunity with people starting at the bottom and working their way up the rewarding ladder.

Build a positive culture

It’s no surprise to learn that a good company culture promotes staff retention. If you achieve the right culture balance within business, people want to work for you. Getting culture right isn’t as easy as it sounds.

As well as perks and comfort, a positive culture nurtures attitudes, feelings, and relationships. How employees feel about the business they work for can have a significant impact on its success.

There’s strong evidence to support the idea that employees aren’t just interested in salaries. Just as customers want a great experience, employees do too.  Businesses should take time to study & adapt their culture to attract the best staff. Get it right and your employees will go the extra mile for you and that counts for a lot in a customer-focused environment.

Build a brand

Just as customers recognize the quality of an establishment in the hospitality industry, so do employees. A welcoming, efficiently run, customer-focused hospitality business has an increased likelihood of attracting staff because candidates are like consumers. A positive brand with a good reputation is attractive to potential employees.  Ensure they are proud to work for you.

Enhance employee engagement

Part of building a positive culture is to enhance employee engagement. An inclusive workplace, which embraces its employees, promotes success. Demoralised staff are toxic & bad for business. If morale in your business is low, then it’s highly likely your profits will decline. Disengaged employees equate to a high turnover rate and in the current market this is to be avoided at all costs. Attract & retain.

In a customer service-driven business your employees are your brand ambassadors. Happy employees equate to happy customers. To keep employees engaged businesses need to offer training, support, and opportunities. Ensure your managers act as coaches to support employee progression.  Ways to improve employee engagement;

  • Hold regular team meetings
  • Make work fun
  • Help your employees when they have to deal with difficult customers
  • Ensure adequate training to grow confidence
  • Share success
  • Reward exceptional work
  • Organise regular team-building social events
  • Provide the right technology for staff to deliver the best service possible

Valuing & retaining your existing staff is paramount. Encouraging the next generation to choose a career in hospitality is key whilst striving to build a positive culture where staff thrive.  A staffing crisis creates opportunities affording bright prospects the opportunity to progress quickly.

Staff experience is a crucial part of the journey to make the hospitality industry an attractive sector to work in. Enabling employees to work in harmony and to exceed customer expectations plays a massive part in creating team spirit.

Work life balance

On average each hospitality employee is working an additional 6 hours weekly to bridge the shortage.  This practice will obviously lead to burn-out and exodus.  Our industry is bound to involve evening and weekend shifts as we service the population during their rest periods.  Keep your team on side...

  • Avoid weekly rotas and replace with fortnightly/monthly where possible
  • Allow employees to specify working days in advance for consideration
  • Employees are protected by the Working Time Directives.  Be sure the guidelines are adhered to and if employees ‘opt-out’ do not take excessive advantage
  • Make sure employees receive adequate rest periods
  • Use an Employment Business to offer support

Further information can be found here - www.caterer.com/advice/work-life-balance-employers-obligations

Using an Employment Business for support

Whilst businesses adjust to the changes it makes commercial sense to take advantage of the services of a reputable agency to support your business & team.  An unsupported team will seek alternative employment.  An agency can be utilised for ad hoc temporary support to cover absence (leave, sickness, maternity etc.) or simply bolster your team during peak trading times.  In addition, an Employment Agency can be tasked with sourcing permanent personnel to fortify your team and help cement the future success of your business.

Catering Services International is such an agency.  Allow CSI the opportunity to act as your go to partner and assist with temp, temp to perm & perm staffing requirements.