It’s no secret that the COVID lockdowns had a detrimental effect on several industries. Among the hardest hit was the restaurant industry. CNBC reported in September that restaurants were experiencing worse working conditions than before the pandemic.
These problems can make employee scheduling feel impossible for many managers. And as the holidays approach, the problem only worsens.
Fortunately, there are ways to make restaurant scheduling more manageable. Yes, you can do this! Were exploring the best ways to manage your staff scheduling issues below.
Attract More Seasonal Restaurant Employees
In 2019, Restaurant Business reported that most seasonal workers would prefer to work with a retail store than a restaurant. In the past, many people believed this was because retail stores offered merchandise discounts. However, new studies demonstrated that this was not the case.
Instead, seasonal workers identified two primary reasons they preferred to work in retail:
● increased schedule flexibility
● higher pay
You can use these desires to your advantage. First, work on providing flexible scheduling for your staff. The more employees you can draw, the easier this becomes. The fewer employees you have, the harder scheduling gets. Adequate staffing = scheduling flexibility.
Next, consider ways to pay your restaurant employees more. Many respondents in the Restaurant Business study wanted to make at least $13.21/hour. However, the average server makes approximately $12.15/hour.
You may wonder how you can afford to pay new employees this much. After all, you may struggle to pay your current employees!
However, remember that many people have grown frustrated with the long waits in restaurants. If your restaurant is the only one around with enough staffing, you can draw substantially more business. This additional business can help you pay the additional employees.
How To Avoid Restaurant Scheduling Issues
Creating a flexible schedule is much easier said than done, especially during the holidays. However, there are some tactics you can use to create that flexibility.
First, try to plan everything ahead. Start developing a comprehensive recruitment plan well in advance of the holidays. Consider how many people you’ll need to hire and how many trainers you’ll need for the season.
Next, establish a good relationship with your employees throughout the year. These days, it’s hard to find workers who are willing to stay with a restaurant. So, thank your servers and respect the work they put in.
Use Restaurant Management Software
Planning ahead can be a significant difficulty for managers doing it alone. Fortunately, you don’t have to do this by yourself!
Instead, you can use employee scheduling software to create your schedules. This software help you track when your servers are working. Then, you can easily identify shifts that have the least coverage.
This information can help you plan ahead for the coming seasons and keep consistent records. So, find the best restaurant management software for your needs!
Find the Best Restaurant Management Software
As you can see, restaurant scheduling can be a complex task. Fortunately, these tips can help you avoid the worst scheduling issues.
As mentioned before, restaurant management software can solve many problems. So, why not check out our software solution?
We provide top-grade back office systems to help your business grow. Working with us can help you manage several things, from staffing to payroll. Contact us today to learn more about our services!
