SIDART RESTAURANT, AUCKLAND
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think your café is the best? planning for christmas 09
SIDART RESTAURANT, AUCKLAND
NOVEMBER 2012
No Shortage Of Managers
In NZ… apparently
The plan to remove Café, Bar and Restaurant Managers from Immigration New Zealand’s essential skills in demand list is a move that will hurt the hospitality sector. BY MARISA BIDOIS
R
ecruiting and retaining high calibre staff able to work as café, bar and restaurant managers has always been a challenge for the industry. Many of our workers consider a hospitality job as a short stop on the way to a job somewhere else, rather than the legitimate career that it is.
For employers planning rosters, or closedowns, over the Christmas/New Year period, or those wanting clarity on paying staff for public holidays. We outline some of the key information to help you get through these busy weeks.
Evidence from the industry indicates there continues to be a severe shortage of skilled staff available to fill these management roles and this situation has worsened over the past two years. An informal survey of members we conducted just last month found that 90% of respondents reported an unacceptable level of difficulty in recruiting for these positions.
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While business owners are committed to developing, training and promoting from within as well as incentivising staff to stay by providing additional benefits, it has not been enough to stem the rising tide of shortages. We have also played a role; since 2006, the Restaurant Association has run professional development programmes for the industry ranging from induction workshops for front of-house staff through to emerging and first time manager workshops. However, despite these efforts there is strong evidence of continuing difficulties in recruiting for these positions.
don’t neglect the detail... you’re not the only responsible host
The shortfall in suitable management staff is impacting the sector overall, but most importantly it is impacting business owners. Many report working significantly longer hours because they have been unable to recruit a manager. This adds stress not only to the owner, but other workers too, and impacts the work environment. It also has the potential to impact customer service levels and therefore customers’ dining experiences and perceptions of the industry.
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Getting your staff match ready for the busy summer season should involve a refresh of your host responsibility policies.
SIDART RESTAURANT, AUCKLAND
We can be justifiably proud of our hospitality sector, but at the same time we should be doing all we can to make sure it is as strong and as vibrant as it can possibly be. Removing this manager position from the Essential Skills in Demand List will do our industry and our country no favours.
effective staff incentives
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