We all know scheduling employees during the holidays can be challenging. There are temporary employees working, and other employees requesting time off, forcing managers to make constant adjustments to schedules. It might even feel like all of your time is spent dedicated to scheduling around this time of year. While it might feel like that, the truth is that restaurant managers have so much more they need to be doing, and scheduling shouldn’t consume them. Thankfully, there is technology that can help restaurants manage their labor scheduling. Here are a few ways to handle your holiday scheduling that will save you endless hours and keep your business on track
Time-off Requests
Having an employee tell you they can’t be there in 3 weeks or receiving dozens of emails with request off dates that you then have to go through and try to solve like a jigsaw puzzle, is not a practical way to run your business, and is definitely not a good use of your time. Instead, use an app that allows your team members to trade shifts and manage much of their own schedule without the manager having to do much more than approve. This removes the back and forth messaging and confusion as to who is actually working. This is great for year round use, but especially helpful during the holidays when things seem just a bit crazier than usual.
Communication
Post your holiday hours early so staff has ample time to request off or adjust their plans so they can be available to work, and be sure to communicate the time off request process. Post schedules as far in advance as you can so people are not caught off guard. Ask for feedback at the end of the season to see what your employees thought worked well and what could use more tweaking.
Holiday Staff and Seasoned Employees
Remember, when you are scheduling around the holidays, have experienced staff working alongside holiday staff when possible. This will help things run smoother and won’t leave your temporary staff members feeling overwhelmed or lost during a shift. You also want to consider your customers, who you want to provide a great experience for. If you only have temporary staff working, and things are going wrong, finding a resolution will be much smoother when experienced staff is on hand.
Customers are looking for a good experience while they are out holiday shopping, so keep your restaurant running efficiently, even through the hussle of the holidays. Take advantage of incredible software that can make scheduling a breeze, communicate with your staff, and be sure you are not scheduling a bunch of new hires without adequate seasoned employees. Don’t let scheduling turn you into a grinch this Christmas. Keep the holiday cheer flowing in your business and let that overflow to your customers!
