3 ways to Combat Staff Shortages in the Hospitality Sector

Both the pandemic and Brexit have contributed to severe workforce shortages in the hospitality sector which has impacted other industries within the UK. A good deal of hospitality staff left the industry and found employment in other areas, while workers from overseas returned home for better job security and to be with family. 

As everyone knows, it has been an unsettling time and the hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit. This is combined with constant changing of rules, events being cancelled at very short notice and a lack of available trained hospitality staff. The pressure has mounted significantly. 

However, there are several things that firms can do to address staff shortages, such as retaining good employees, reducing services, and hiring through agencies. One of the numerous advantages is that hospitality agency employees are knowledgeable, experienced, and know what is expected of them. 

Adaptation 

Businesses that require hospitality staffing in the UK, have had to adapt. For example, many hotels have had to stop offering daily housekeeping services and many restaurants and bars have reduced their menu. 

By understanding what is most important to their guests, businesses can cut down on certain offerings and redirect the staff from these areas. Another example is to reduce the number of staff dealing with customer queries and offer an automated service that can deal with the most common questions. 

This extends the expected response time, therefore lowering their guests’ expectations. Doing so will help to alleviate complaints. Ultimately, being honest and explaining to guests that there are staff shortages can also be helpful. 

Agency staff 

For businesses that specialise in events and entertainment, using agency staff is a great way to ensure that guests will be well looked after and get the service they expect. 

This may require cutting back on other services and putting resources into front-of-house hospitality, but by adapting in this way, guests will get the experience they paid for. 

Keep staff happy 

One of the most important ways to combat staff shortages in the hospitality industry is to ensure long term staff are treated well, paid fairly and enjoy the work they do. 

They should get regular breaks, and have access to a staffing area with basic amenities. Regularly checking in with staff with help keep them from looking for work elsewhere and encourage them to be loyal and engaged. 

Whereas, staff that is overworked, weary, and anxious will not be able to do well at their jobs. Eventually, this could lead to some of them leaving or taking time off. By having regular meetings and resolving any issues, employers can make their staff feel valued and redirect resources where needed.

If employees are having trouble coping, firms should consider hiring some agency workers during peak times to relieve some stress. Hospitality staff are in demand and with live events returning and summer around the corner, the demand is only going to get greater. 

By booking staff now, businesses and organisations can help to make their event a success. If there aren’t enough employees to assure the guests’ safety and enjoyment, the business’s reputation may suffer, and commercial partners linked with the event may be hesitant to re-invest. Ultimately, if consumer confidence is lost, guests won’t return. 

Therefore, it’s important to ensure hospitality staff are trained and available to serve drinks, answer customer queries, and manage ticketing and general event queries. This is will create a positive experience for your guests who will be more likely to return in the future. 

If your business requires hospitality staff for an event then look no further than Street PR. We have over 15 years of experience managing and executing events for our clients across the UK. Get in touch to find out more.