How can you identify the signs of staff turnover before it's too late?

1 Employee engagement

One of the most obvious signs of staff turnover is a decline in employee engagement. Engagement refers to how committed, motivated, and satisfied your employees are with their work and your restaurant. Engaged employees are more likely to perform well, stay loyal, and recommend your restaurant to others. On the other hand, disengaged employees are more likely to be absent, unproductive, unhappy, and looking for other opportunities. You can measure employee engagement by conducting surveys, feedback sessions, performance reviews, and recognition programs. You can also observe your employees' behavior, attitude, and communication.

2 Employee retention

Another sign of staff turnover is a low employee retention rate. Retention refers to how long your employees stay with your restaurant and how often they leave. A high retention rate means that your employees are satisfied and loyal to your restaurant. A low retention rate means that your employees are dissatisfied and likely to quit or be fired. You can calculate your employee retention rate by dividing the number of employees who stayed with your restaurant by the number of employees who were employed at the beginning of a period. You can also compare your retention rate with industry averages and benchmarks.

3 Employee performance

A third sign of staff turnover is a drop in employee performance. Performance refers to how well your employees accomplish their tasks and meet your expectations. High-performing employees are more likely to be productive, efficient, and quality-oriented. Low-performing employees are more likely to be unproductive, inefficient, and error-prone. You can evaluate employee performance by setting clear goals, standards, and indicators. You can also monitor your employees' output, feedback, and customer satisfaction.

5 Employee development

A fifth sign of staff turnover is a lack of employee development. Development refers to how much your employees learn, grow, and advance in their careers. Developing employees are more likely to be skilled, knowledgeable, and adaptable. Undeveloped employees are more likely to be stagnant, outdated, and irrelevant. You can foster employee development by providing training, coaching, mentoring, and career opportunities. You can also support your employees' goals, interests, and aspirations.

6 Employee feedback

A sixth sign of staff turnover is a poor employee feedback culture. Feedback refers to how you and your employees communicate, exchange, and act on information and opinions. A good feedback culture is one that is open, honest, constructive, and respectful. A bad feedback culture is one that is closed, dishonest, destructive, and disrespectful. You can improve your feedback culture by soliciting, giving, and receiving feedback regularly, timely, and effectively. You can also encourage your employees to share their ideas, concerns, and suggestions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?