One thing to keep in mind is that there are dozens of things you can do to decrease the employee turnover rate in your restaurant. These are simply the easiest ways to do so.
- The right people matter
Not only does finding and hiring the right people matter, firing the wrong people is just as important. It is important to have the right people working for you. Those that believe wholeheartedly in your restaurant’s mission and values than to have someone who is simply there for a paycheck. Their presence can be harmful to the workplace culture which can ultimately affect your business.
- Always recognize and reward your employees
Show your employees that you genuinely care and appreciate them. Recognize those that are doing as they should. Reward them, but do so with specific, tangible and social items or opportunities. They should know what they are being rewarded for, and if they don’t you are simply giving them a reward just because.
- Flexibility is important
There is always going to have to be a healthy work-life balance with your employees. People get sick, relatives pass away, car trouble is bound to happen. Let your employees know that if anything goes wrong or the unexpected happens, you have their back and will help them with whatever they might need. Not only should you be flexible when it comes to the unexpected, but offer flexible hours and the chance to work at other locations, if applicable to your business. This has positive effects on employee retention, and if you decide to not offer flexibility, your employees will find someone else who will.
- Respect and engage with your employees
Always offer opportunities for yourself to engage with your employees both inside and outside of work. Allow them to see you both as the one in charge and as a normal person too. They are likely to have more respect for you if you connect with them on their level. Also, by cultivating a culture of respect within your business, you are ensuring that those employees will feel better about working with you, thus retaining their employment, which lowers your employee turnover rate. So don’t discount the power of respect and engagement within the workplace. It just might be your saving grace.
- Prioritize the happiness of your employees
It’s no secret that happier employees tend to stay in jobs longer. One of your top priorities should be to ensure that your employees are happy. Invest in the happiness of your employees. It’ll pay huge dividends in engagement, productivity and retention.
Value and respect your employees. Let them know you are always watching and have their back when needed. Treat them like individuals, not just employees. Do those things and you will have a tribe of people that not only will love working with you but they will be your raving fans.
