It’s up to you to make your staff feel appreciated. While the steps involved vary by trade, there are a few principles that should be fundamental for every hospitality business.
The working environment is a key factor in attracting and retaining employees. It plays a vital role not only in shaping the success of day-to-day operations but also in maintaining well-being across your entire team. Whether your business is a bed & breakfast or a local pub, it’s worth knowing how to make it one that your colleagues want to return to.
- Foster a culture of communication
A culture of open communication is integral for teams in any workplace. It’s important that you encourage your employees to express their thoughts and ideas at work. Your staff should feel confident discussing their points of view at work, both in confidence with senior leadership and in group settings too.
As an employer, it’s your responsibility to provide channels for feedback. Team meetings, suggestion boxes or regular surveys could work well but it’s important to choose a method that’s effective without affecting rates of productivity. With inflation pushing the price of a pint to £7 in some areas, the pressure is on to retain your customers as well as your staff.
Asking for feedback is only part of the process. You need to make sure that you’re actively listening to your employees and making them feel heard. Only then will your team feel appreciated enough to want to share their thoughts.
- Recognise and reward contributions
Strive to acknowledge the efforts made by your employees. Even though the senior members of the team might be the ones making the most influential decisions, everyone needs to know that they play an integral role. Rewards should be offered in various forms, including pay reviews and one-off awards.
Recognising achievements across the team, both big and small, helps to reinforce a positive atmosphere for the workplace as a whole. When each member of the team feels valued for their contributions, they’ll be more likely to feel motivated and engaged at work – and that positivity will be obvious to your customers too.
When it comes to something as decisive as increasing an employee’s pay, though, it’s important to plan your budget carefully. You’ll want to juggle all manner of considerations, including appropriate public house insurance where relevant, especially if you face rising costs in the future.
- Promote work-life balance
No matter how many you offer, employee perks won’t make a lasting difference if they focus only on the working day. To help your employees maintain a healthy work-life balance, you must give them the space and time they need to have fun and relax outside of work.
Avoid demanding excessive overtime and try to be mindful of your own expectations too. It’s not only a legal requirement but taking rest breaks at work could make the difference between top-quality and poor service. Mental health support is paramount too.
Overview
In hospitality, creating a positive work environment is a continuous process. It involves not only strong leadership but establishing clear policies and fostering the kind of culture you’d want to be part of. Remember to incentivise, acknowledge success and reward your team appropriately.