Every week we comb through the news to find employment trends affecting the hospitality industry so you don’t have to. This week’s topic: the dangers of employee burnout.
The Dangers of Employee Burnout
According to the National Restaurant Association, there are almost one million unfilled jobs in the hotel and restaurant industries. Coupled with historically low unemployment, hiring has consistently been one of the biggest challenges in hospitality. This means that when you’ve got a great employee, you want to keep them on your team for as long as possible.
All work and no play
Burnout plays a huge role in a business’s ability to retain an employee. Unfortunately, most workers in the hospitality industry are familiar with burnout, due in part to long hours, little to no days off, and the fact that working in a customer facing role can sometimes be draining.
As a manager, it’s important to notice signs of burnout and work to prevent it from escalating. These can include change in personality, lack of motivation, or complacency. Worst case scenario, a burnt-out worker will quit, leaving a vacancy on your team in a difficult hiring environment.
Prevention
Luckily there are several ways to prevent burnout. At LGC, our employees benefit from the ability to choose their own schedule, thanks to the flexibility of staffing and the gig economy. Allowing employees to have some say when it comes to their schedule can help them feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
Another way to prevent employee burnout is by respecting their personal time. If you’re looking to cover a shift and an employee says they can’t, respect their decision without pushing the matter. This shows that you understand and appreciate their life outside work.
By decreasing employee burnout you’ll see higher retention rates (AKA lower costs), better attitudes, and overall happier employees. If your workers are spread thin due to hiring deficits, consider partnering with a hospitality staffing agency like LGC to help grow your team.