Preparing Your Restaurant Staff For The Holiday Season

The holiday season is often one filled with joy, laughter, and family. For many business owners, however, these next few months can often mean more stress and more worries as the holiday rush gives them less opportunities to focus on other areas of their business. Unfortunately, the stress that comes with the holidays is not unique to the stakeholders of a business but is also felt by their employees. If you own or manage a bar or restaurant, it’s important to set clear rules and expectations for your staff, as well as be able to offer them assistance should they get overwhelmed with their responsibilities. Here are a few best practices to help keep you and your staff on the same page this holiday season:

Spread the Holiday Cheer

Throwing a holiday party for your staff is a great way to show them your appreciation as well as rewarding them for a job well-done. A staff holiday party will also help your employees feel like they are a part of your establishment’s community as well. This feeling will help motivate your employees to work harder in their roles by making them feel like they are a part of something greater than themselves.

Even decorating your establishment for the holidays can provide a boost to your staff. A well-decorated venue injects life into your customers and your employees, helping strengthen the bonds and feelings of community with your establishment.

Re-evaluate Your Employee’s Work-Life Balance

Just like you, your employees have parties to go to, friends and family to see, and events to experience. Be mindful of your employees’ time and do your best not to overschedule anyone in particular to help your employees avoid burnout. This will help keep your staff energized and committed to your establishment during these very busy and important months.

Meet with your Staff Regularly

It’s important to touch base with your staff consistently in order to properly manage your employees. During the holiday season this becomes even more important. Meet with your staff frequently during these months to make sure rules and processes are being followed. You should also take this time to listen to ideas or concerns that your employees may have. When times are busy, rules and efficiency are oftentimes substituted for speed, so it is important to consistently re-educate your staff on their job requirements. Furthermore, new ideas from your employees can help keep your location feeling fresh in the minds of your customers.

Consider Temporary Employees

In order to keep up with the holiday rush, hiring temporary staff members to join your team is an avenue that a lot of businesses try. Consider hiring temporary workers from Halloween to New Year’s Eve to help your venue meet customers’ expectations and prevent overworking your regular staff.

The holidays can be a very stressful but also very profitable time for your business. In order to cash in on the high traffic your business receives during the holiday season, it is important to make sure you and your staff are on the same page in terms of expectations regarding their role. It is also vital to keep your venue feeling fresh in the minds of your employees. This will energize them in their roles, and your customers will notice the difference.

Accel Entertainment wishes you and your families a very cheerful holiday season.