Prevent team burnout with 8 essential strategies for hospitality during busy season

As operators continue to navigate the challenges of working in hospitality, it's important that managers prioritize the well-being of their dedicated team members. The nature of the restaurant business can be demanding, and it’s imperative that leaders in hospitality take the time to address the issue of employee burnout.

Burnout is a real concern in the industry, with long hours, high-pressure situations, and constant customer interactions taking a toll on both front of house’s and back of house’s physical and mental well-being. However, by proactively addressing the burnout issue and having measures in place to prevent it, restaurant operators can create a healthier and more productive work environment for everyone. Here are 8 essential strategies to combat employee burnout:
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1. ‍Encourage Open Communication: Create a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing their workload, challenges, and stressors. Regular check-ins and one-on-one meetings can provide a safe space for team members to share their concerns and seek support.
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2. ‍Set Realistic Expectations: While we strive for excellence, it's important to set achievable goals and expectations. Overloading employees with an unrealistic workload can lead to burnout. Today Payments helps you automate those time-consuming admin tasks with tip payouts and enables managers to better prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities effectively to prevent undue stress.‍
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3. Promote Work-Life Balance: Encourage employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance by setting clear boundaries between work hours and personal time. Avoid sending work-related messages during non-working hours and respect employees' time off. Our digital payout solution comes in handy when walking the walk of promoting work-life balance because your team doesn’t have to come into the restaurant to get their tips on personal time. ‍
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4. Recognize and Reward: Regularly acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and dedication of your team members - it goes a long way. Celebrate milestones, achievements, and exceptional performances by using our Today Bonus feature, which automatically sends a monetary incentive and fun, emoji-filled personalized message to a deserving team member to boost morale and motivation.‍
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5. Offer Flexibility: Whenever possible, provide flexible work arrangements that accommodate employees' personal needs. This can include flexible scheduling or the ability to swap shifts with colleagues.‍
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6. Create a Supportive Environment: Foster a supportive workplace culture where colleagues help and support each other. Encourage teamwork and discourage competition that might contribute to stress. This is where establishing an equitable tip pool might come in handy. Learn more about our Tip Pooling solution here.‍
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7. Provide Stress Management and Health Resources: Offer access to stress management resources, such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), telemedicine services and workshops on mental health and well-being. Consider an easily plug-and-play program like our Today Wellness employee benefit, where you can economically offer your employees access to mental health support, telemedicine and wellness resources.

‍Learn More about Today Wellness.

8. ‍Lead by Example: As leaders of the team, you play a pivotal role in setting the tone for your work environment. Demonstrate a healthy work-life balance, prioritize self-care, and openly communicate about how to effectively manage work stress.

It’s worth reminding operators that employees are the heart and soul of hospitality. By actively addressing and combating burnout, you can create a  resilient and motivated team that delivers exceptional service to your guests. 

At Today, we are deeply passionate about the hospitality community, with many members of our team starting out in hospitality as servers, bartenders and managers. A major key to thriving in this amazing industry is to continue to support one another and lead with kindness and compassion.

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