Restaurant owners have long faced staff turnover and culture issues, and the landscape has really changed in recent years. Solutions like higher wages and robust benefits can help alleviate some concerns but may not fit every location. Let’s dive into ideas to create the best work culture, helping to retain your top employees in the process.

Shrewd Scheduling

Missed shifts, miscommunications, swapping shifts — these can become frustrations that feel like managing a second job. But like everything else, there’s an app for that. Apps are a great way to integrate scheduling with convenience for you and your staff, as everyone can literally have this technology in their hands. Each app is different and offers different benefits. Some benefits include

 

1. Reduction in time to create weekly or monthly staff schedules.
2. Improve communication between management and staff, as well as between staff members. Notifications of schedule posts and other changes can also be sent, keeping everyone informed in real time.
3. Staff can check schedules and message other staff for shift swaps.
4. Beyond simply scheduling, employees can identify availability time slots. Should you need to cover a shift quickly, you know who is available and can reach them instantly.
5. Use a scheduling app as a time clock to ensure accurate payroll and to reduce tardiness.

There are several scheduling apps out there, and depending on the size and needs of your restaurant, there are cost-effective options to fit your budget. HotSchedules, powered by Performance One Source partner Fourth, makes it easier than ever to easily manage scheduling. And Qwick is a professional platform that matches experienced industry workers with available shifts in real time.

 

Work/Life Balance

Recent economic impacts have affected your staff and many are juggling multiple jobs or other responsibilities. Life outside of your restaurant may be challenging, so creating a true work/life balance for your staff is a sign that they are more than just an employee. Being considerate of personal appointments or last-minute life interruptions goes a long way in strengthening your connection to your team.

On the other side, work can be fun. Implement fun theme days so that employees can show more of their personalities while keeping the restaurant running smoothly. One simple and cost-effective way is to have a shirt theme day each week or each month—this can be their favorite sports team, rock band, or vacation spot.

 

Team Building

First, ask your staff for honest, transparent feedback. Give them an anonymous online survey they can take on their phone or laptops so they can voice their thoughts and opinions without consequences. If you feel you have a great team and are mainly looking for what’s going right, offer a roundtable discussion (with guidelines in place) to present their likes, pet peeves, and what would make it easier for them without penalty.

Next, treat your staff to perks to reward their loyalty to you. Company outings, referral bonuses, closing early, free meals, goal incentives — anything that you can provide consistently to demonstrate that you value them, and not just on random occasions or at the end of the year. One trending concept is on-demand pay. Our One Source partners at Kickfin allow you to send tips to your employees’ accounts as soon as their shift ends.

 

Define Your Culture

Once you know have the feedback from your staff on what is working, incorporate that with your mission and values. Create guidelines on what is expected and on what is rewarded at your restaurant. Then enforce those guidelines so that your employees know they can depend on you to uphold those standards for the best work environment.

Take advantage of weekly meetings for everyone to share one positive thing they experienced in the restaurant. This can be helping another team member out, sharing something special done for a guest, or shouting out staff that worked together to handle an unexpectedly large party. Focusing on the positive is a small-time investment with a big payoff for your team.

Finally, implement the power of social media. Take your best employees and create videos that you can post on your website. You can also take video snippets to use as content for your social media channels. Show versus tell is powerful, so let them share their perspectives on what makes your restaurant a great place to work. Your credibility will resonate and attract ideal applicants.