FOOD BUSINESS & WORKFORCE ISSUE
FB&W
ShortStaf
ShortStaf is a gig-economy staffing solution, founded in 2015. The Uber of staffing and the ideal situation for many. FR&L Magazine Editor Susie McKinley had an opportunity to visit with recently Brenden Curcio, the CEO of ShortStaf, to discuss this innovative new approach to staffing. Please describe how ShortStaf works, and explain how this solution is beneficial not only to the employer but also to the employee. ShortStaf is an on-demand staffing app with approximately 10,000 users that is available on iOS and Android. Basically, we connect individuals and businesses in need of staff with hospitality professionals looking for work. In this environment, business owners and managers need staff quickly. You can post your shifts on the ShortStaf app and quickly have applicants to review. This makes for a simple staffing solution on the business side, while providing flexible work opportunities for our staff. Staff members have the ability to choose when they want to work, where to work and how they want to work. It is allowing for flexibility and efficiency on both sides, which was the goal of ShortStaf from the beginning. We also have recently partnered with Bunker to provide Occupational Accident Insurance (OAI) for all of our staff who are working a shift through the app. This type of insurance coverage is very similar to “workers compensation” but is geared towards 1099/Gig workers. ShortStaf is providing this coverage at no additional cost to our restaurant/hotel hosts or Staf users. We are very excited to have partnered with Bunker to provide this great value added benefit for both sides of our platform. ShortStaf puts you in control: shift times, attire, pay rate and responsibilities. You specify all the details of the position. Unlike traditional staffing companies, ShortStaf gives you full control of the applicant process. ShortStaf even has a proprietary SOS Reserve system in place to mitigate against unforeseen circumstances such as last-minute cancellations and no call/no shows. FRL A .org
Rather than sending staff home if business is slow or stressing out because it is an incredibly busy weekend, can you describe the positivity of having the freedom to add employees as needed? What makes ShortStaf great is the flexibility to staff your restaurant as needed — without the constraints of traditional full-time employment. We have found that restaurants are constantly dealing with fluctuating demand. With ShortStaf, you can add additional staff, right from the palm of your hand. We have also seen people using the ShortStaf app to add staff to shifts that need replacement servers or bartenders. It can put a big strain on the front of the house when someone calls out sick. Instead of going without employees for the night, you can post on ShortStaf and have a solution for your problem quickly.
Can you describe the payment process? The ShortStaf app is free to download, and it has no membership fees, contracts or recurring charges. You only pay for your staff, plus the ShortStaf fee assessed on that amount and the payment-processing fee. Payment is captured at the time of shift posting via credit card through our secure third-party payment processor, Stripe. Payment is taken easily in the app. After your staff is confirmed, checked-in and has completed the shift, Stripe automatically transfers the specified shift payment to Staf’s account. This eliminates the need for cash-handling or payment on-site. If we are unable to get staff for your shift, your card will be fully refunded for your Staf payment and ShortStaf fee. As a valued FRLA member, ShortStaf is offering an ongoing discount for all members to receive $5 off each time they post an event. Just use promo code FRLA5 at checkout for your discount.
Do you think that ShortStaf can meet long-term and short-term hiring needs for the hospitality industry? ShortStaf is different from traditional staffing companies because we offer a short-term solution with long-term opportunities. What that means is, shortterm, you can quickly staff your business to meet your immediate needs. If you find a staff member you would like to employ full-time, we don’t stand in the way of that. We encourage our business users to offer full-time employment as they see fit. The hospitality industry is rapidly changing. Workers want to work flexibly and on their terms. We saw that change on the horizon, and now that is it here, we can accommodate both employers and employees. In closing, ShortStaf is empowering businesses to seamlessly integrate and leverage technology into their day-to-day operations to achieve optimal efficiency. Change is inevitable and rapidly occurring in the hospitality industry. It is imperative that businesses adapt to attract and retain workers. Easily find staff to work shifts, controlling all key parameters in the process. Every staff member is insured with industry-leading Occupational Accident Insurance when working a shift, and they receive payment automatically after completing a shift. ShortStaf never takes a fee from the staff. They receive their entire shift pay, every time. Try ShortStaf today to see how we can help your business. Visit ShortStaf.com for more information, or email us at info@shortstaf.com. FLORIDA RESTAUR ANT & LOD GING
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