Sustainability is in vogue. This, however, does not only mean environmental protection. Sustainability also has a social dimension. This comes into play especially in employee management and retention. A restaurateur who accepts his social responsibility and at the same time attaches importance to motivated, reliable and not constantly changing staff will strive for a working atmosphere in which the employees feel comfortable, are sure of their job and are happy to give their best. The following measures ensure sustainable employee retention.
Seeking new employees
Motivation at work must, of course, come from both sides. However, finding employees with the right "drive" is anything but easy. Therefore, already during the recruitment process, applicants should feel that they will be in good hands in your company. Promising candidates need to be courted rather than told they have applied for just any job. And: The search for good employees should be a constantly present matter. Those who search only when there is time pressure have to put up with less suitable candidates.
Involving employees in decisions
Employees who feel they are heard and appreciated are more motivated and more committed to the company. One effective way to achieve this is to introduce an improvement suggestion system, also known as idea management. This system allows employees to contribute ideas and suggestions for improvement that can lead to the optimization of work processes or other areas of the company. Here, it is important to involve employees in the process at an early stage and to inform them about the intentions. This can be done, for example, as part of an employee meeting or training session.
For the improvement suggestion system to be implemented successfully, a positive corporate culture and open interaction are crucial. The system should therefore be supported by the management and exemplified by the managers in the company. It is also important to adequately recognize and reward employee initiatives, whether through financial rewards or public praise. A regular exchange about the implementation of the suggestions is also helpful for the further motivation and retention of the employees.
Paying tribute
Studies have shown that for most employees a good working atmosphere, recognition and praise are at least as important as a high salary. Especially in the stressful restaurant business, a positive work environment is of great importance. Sincere praise boosts employees' self-esteem, motivates them to "go the extra mile" and promotes loyalty to the company. It is important that praise be given promptly and at an appropriate place. It should be specific to the individual employee and should not involve criticism. In addition, care should be taken to justify praise in order to convey appreciation in a credible manner.
Promoting employee health
Healthy employees are more productive, motivated and satisfied with their work. There are many ways to promote the health of your staff. One approach is to support employees in sports activities, whether by collaborating with gyms or organizing joint sports activities. Promoting a healthy lifestyle with balanced meals and adequate hydration also helps employees be healthier and more energetic.
Another important aspect is to pay attention to the health and well-being of each individual employee. Employees should be encouraged to incorporate healthy habits into their daily lives, such as taking regular breaks, getting enough sleep and exercising. Companies can also provide opportunities for health checks to help employees make healthy choices and identify potential health problems early.
Providing opportunities for further training
Employees who have the opportunity for further training are better able to shape the company, stay with it for a long time and are motivated at work. Opportunities for further training can be internal training or external training and seminars. Offer assistance in funding further training and show interest in your employees' individual training goals. A regular review of the expertise and skills of your employees helps to create targeted further training measures and thus continuously improve the know-how at the company.
