Article
3 min read
Your Seasonal Survival Guide is here
Alex Francis
Nov 29, 2024
What's under the tree?
Some 40% of hospitality businesses are reducing their opening hours because of staff shortages.
To help you avoid a staffing nightmare before Christmas, we’ve wrapped up everything you need to keep your teams happy, motivated and coming back ‘til January.
Festive forecasting
Currently 69% of hospitality workers get less than a week’s notice of their next shift pattern. This leads to missed shifts and high staff turnover, which just isn’t an option during the Christmas rush.
33% of workers say more advanced planning through smarter rotas would improve their wellbeing, so think about scheduling ahead so your staff can plan their Christmas season better.
Unwrap more: For a deeper dive into scheduling ahead for Christmas, check out our article on preparing for the holiday rush >
Top up the training
45% of workers don’t feel they have clear progression in their job, which is contributing to many leaving their roles - or the industry altogether.
It’s easy to forget about training over Christmas, but offering people more responsibility and a clear progression path can really improve employee satisfaction and retention.
Unwrap more: Read how one restaurant owner uses training to keep her team sharp and engaged >
Festive cheer
Christmas isn’t always the most wonderful time of the year for hospitality workers. And with 85% experiencing poor mental symptoms in the last 12 months, it’s vital you keep checking in throughout this season.
36% of workers want better access to mental health support, so make sure your team knows they can come to you with problems or concerns. And don’t forget that a little recognition and reward go a long way - especially at this time of year.
Unwrap more: Get more handy holiday tips and tricks for staff morale here >
Sleigh your stress
There’s no denying it - Christmas can be a stressful time, for managers and senior staff just as much as anyone else. It’s no wonder that 53% of shift workers - including those in leadership roles - are planning on leaving their current job.
As many as 30% of employees leave a new hospitality job within 90 days, so make sure you’re finding the right balance for yourself this year, as well as your staff. Scheduling ahead can help with this, giving you some much-needed structure in a hectic few weeks.
Unwrap more: Read our five lessons on managing festive stress >
When the party's over
Once January hits, congratulations! You’ve made it. It’s time to celebrate with your teams, and take a look back over this year’s holiday season.
45% of staff don’t feel valued or listened to by their employer, so include feedback from your teams when reviewing how things went. You’ll be better prepared for next year, and they’ll feel appreciated and more committed to their role. Now, did somebody say January Christmas party?
Unwrap more: Not sure where to start with staff feedback? Download our free feedback form to get honest info from your team.
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