70 CHAPTER 9 (Continued) QUESTION
4. The foodservice department has been understaffed for a few months leading to employee burnout, increased call outs, and staff complaints. What is the best way to communicate with upper management on how to recruit and hire for these open positions?
ANSWER
Communicating effectively with upper management about the staffing challenges in the foodservice department requires a strategic and data-driven approach.
Here are some steps to guide communication:
1. Prepare a Clear Overview: Summarize the current staffing situation, including the number of open positions (if any), duration of vacancies, and the impact on operations, employee morale, and customer satisfaction.
2. Present Data: Provide quantitative data such as the number of call-outs, overtime hours and compensation, employee turnover rates, and feedback from staff about burnout. This will help illustrate the severity and urgency of the situation. If there are any written complaints from customers and/or staff.
3. Highlight Consequences: Explain how understaffing affects service quality, employee well-being, and overall department performance. Emphasize potential risks like decreased customer satisfaction, increased employee turnover, and potential financial losses.
4. Propose Solutions: Offer specific recruitment and hiring strategies, such as:
• Hiring Incentives: Propose sign-on bonuses, referral programs, or flexible work schedules.
• Streamlining Recruitment: Suggest improvements to the recruitment process, such as partnering with local culinary schools, job fairs, or online platforms.
• Invest in Training: Advocate for comprehensive onboarding and training programs to help new hires integrate and perform efficiently.
5. Request Support: Clearly outline the type of support needed from upper management, whether it’s additional budget for recruitment, authorization to offer competitive salaries, or approval for new staffing models.
6. Set a Timeline: Propose a timeline for implementing the recruitment strategies and suggest periodic reviews to assess progress and adjust plans as needed.
7. Follow-Up: Schedule a follow-up meeting or report to track the progress of recruitment efforts and discuss any additional adjustments or support needed.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
Foodservice Management—By Design
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