Restaurant managers often struggle to keep shifts filled up. While there are folks who only wait tables or bartend, many others have full-time day jobs and work part-time at restaurants. Scheduled PTO and emergencies happen, leaving managers and fellow employees struggling to cover client requirements. If you’re scrambling to cover the busy shifts, the ideas below can help.
Consolidate to One Tool
Instead of trying to track texts and crumpled notes, using a restaurant scheduling software that can keep all that data in one location can greatly reduce worries. Not only can such a tool reduce checking multiple locations for information before your next scheduling session, but you will have a footprint that will allow you to track when requests for time off come in.
You may have employees who need hours. They are focused on getting more hours and may not be paying attention to that overtime edge. If you as a manager are tasked to keep overtime as low as possible, the tool can notify both you and your employees of where they are each week to avoid this concern.
Set a Time Each Week to Create the Next Schedule
Let your employees know which day you create the schedule for the next month or two weeks. Consider also creating a deadline for known PTO requests. Post this on the scheduling tool so everyone is aware of their requirements.
It can be quite frustrating to deal with change requests after the schedule is published. For managers working with young employees, part of their first job has to include teaching them to keep to a schedule. The ability to track their hours and requests on an app can reduce stress and worry.
Allow for Emergencies
Do make sure you offer employees who need an extra shift can post their willingness to work on the app. If you have to meet a “no overtime” rule, make these employees aware that they may need to give up a shift later on in the month if they cover something this coming weekend.
An app that makes it easy to swap shifts can benefit every employee. Do take a hard look at the folks that are constantly changing shifts; if your scheduling work gets scrambled each week or ten days because someone is always in a schedule crisis, it may be time for a conversation.
Stay Flexible But Firm
Life happens. Your employees are going to hit schedule bumps, have emergencies that crop up, and sometimes scramble to make their shift. An app that allows you to track when your facility is busiest can allow you to offer a bit of flexibility.
You need all hands on deck during rush times. If your restaurant is the “stop and celebrate” after local high school football games, you can build a schedule around those times. Sunday brunch rushes need to be considered, as will the Friday night dinner rush. However, you may be able to offer a bit of flexibility to your busboys to come in late while your hostesses may be able to leave early.
Avoid Wasted Training Time
With everything published on the app and notifications of changes, you can protect your employees from shocks when the schedule goes out. You can build loyalty among your crew by offering flexibility when possible and support when needed.
With a shared schedule, you can avoid the risk of a bunker mentality among your employees. Someone may have a true emergency and require time off. As a team, addressing this problem can build cohesion. Do be aware that resentment can build up if one employee is seen to be abusing the system, and resentful people are prone to finding a better job. Don’t burn training time by coddling a problem employee.
Reporting Benefits
The right software can help you track not only your schedule but total hours worked. You can track when rushes occur. You can note which nights are going to be the busiest and schedule accordingly.
With this software, you can demonstrate to your employees why you need to bring on more people each Friday. Loop in your more seasoned staff to brainstorm ways to make their jobs more manageable. A shared posting of the best ideas can help generate even better ideas after the next rush.
