There is no doubt about it that the current Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way the world does many things.
This is especially true for the hospitality industry, which has experienced a lot of change in the past few months due to changing Coronavirus and health and safety regulations.
Let’s take a look at why there is a demand for increased flexibility and adaptability in the hospitality industry and how we can help you to thrive as the world continues to change.
Technology is thriving.
With more people opting out of in-restaurant dining and favoring take outs or deliveries, the restaurant landscape has changed dramatically over the past few months.
Delivery apps are now being used by a record number of customers and many restaurants are developing their own apps so that customers can order directly with them and not have to use a third party, such as UberEats.
Contactless technology has also become far more widespread, especially as a payment method as restaurants try to ensure the safety of their guests.
Many restaurants are also using QR codes for the downloading of menus, which is a much safer option than physical menus.
The restaurant industry has also seen a huge increase in online reservations and bookings and it is now more important than ever before to have a user-friendly website that is easy to navigate so that your guests can effortlessly make bookings online.
Increased need for workers in quick-service restaurants.
As the country is beginning to open up after a strict period of lockdown, the hospitality industry has seen an increased demand for hourly workers in quick-service restaurants.
That being said, many of these quick-service restaurants have been finding it difficult to find suitable hourly workers as they are reluctant to undergo physical training, interviewing and orientation, which poses a Covid-19 health risk.
If you are struggling to find the right workers for open positions within your hospitality establishment, we have a large database of already-trained and vetted hospitality professionals who are willing and ready to work for you.
Safety is paramount.
Since an increased number of hospitality workers are now turning down jobs due to safety concerns around the Coronavirus, it is important as a restaurant owner to ensure that you have all the necessary safety measures in place.
Any hospitality worker worth their weight in gold understands how important it is to have effective mask wearing, sanitizing and social distancing measures in place. Not only does this help prevent virus transmission amongst staff members, but it also helps to keep your guests safe.
If you have solid safety measures in place, you will be more likely to attract repeat customers and the right kind of staff members.
When it comes to the hiring process, hospitality workers now prefer a virtual interviewing, training, orientation and on-boarding process. With virtual measures in place, you are sending a message to potential employees that you have their wellbeing and safety in mind and they will be more likely to want to work for you.
Hospitality workers value flexibility.
As the Coronavirus pandemic has progressed, hospitality workers have been valuing flexibility even more and believe that employers should be more open to offering them more flexible hours and allowing them to choose when and how often they work shifts.
Covid-19 has forced countless people to have to go into quarantine and hospitality workers appreciate employers who can bear this in mind, as well as the fact that many may require time off for illness, childcare and more.
If you are able to offer your staff paid sick leave should they become ill, this will provide them with a lot of peace of mind. The majority of workers are concerned about contracting the Coronavirus and are worried about what they will do if they are unable to work.
As an employer, if you are able to provide staff members with an acceptable level of flexibility, you will be well on your way to becoming a sought-after establishment to work for.
A lot of restaurants are now offering their workers the option of scheduling shifts online or from their cell phones which has been met with a lot of enthusiasm.
Stability is crucial.
While the Covid-19 pandemic has had a serious economic impact on various industries (the hospitality industry included), what is very important at the moment is stability.
Of course, no one can predict what will happen next, even more so since there is not yet a vaccine, but if you can offer your staff a certain level of flexibility, this can help a great deal.
Simply knowing that the restaurant will not close down in the near future can provide a lot of comfort to staff, as is being able to access their pay before payday through wage advances and management having a transparent and clear way of communicating.
Conclusion.
We have definitely seen a huge shift in the hospitality industry in the past few months with priorities and needs constantly changing. The good news is that it appears as if the hospitality industry is adapting well to these changes and is enhancing its use of technology and offering employees different options when it comes to the way they work.
If we can continue to make positive and effective changes as the pandemic evolves, the hospitality industry will emerge stronger than every before.
