What do you do if your temporary staff in the hospitality industry pose a risk to your business?

1 Identify Risks

When temporary staff begin to show signs of being a liability, it's essential to identify the specific risks they pose. Are they displaying a lack of knowledge about basic safety protocols? Do customer complaints increase when they're on shift? Or perhaps their attitude is not in line with your service standards. By pinpointing the exact issues, you can address them directly and efficiently. It's important to have a system for monitoring and recording any incidents or feedback related to temporary staff so that you can spot patterns and respond proactively.

2 Set Standards

It's crucial to ensure that all staff, including temporary hires, understand the expectations and standards of your business. This means clearly communicating your policies, service standards, and operational procedures from day one. If temporary staff are not meeting these standards, provide them with additional training or guidance. Remember, consistency is key in hospitality. Customers expect the same level of service regardless of who is serving them, so it's up to you to make sure every team member is equipped to deliver that experience.

3 Provide Training

Adequate training for temporary staff is non-negotiable. Even if they have industry experience, they need to be familiar with the specific ways your business operates. This includes customer service protocols, emergency procedures, and any particular skills relevant to their role. If you identify a risk with temporary staff, assess whether additional training could mitigate it. Sometimes, a little extra time spent on education can turn a potential liability into a valuable asset.

4 Monitor Performance

Once you've identified risks and provided the necessary training, it's important to monitor the performance of your temporary staff closely. This could involve regular check-ins with a supervisor or implementing a buddy system where they work alongside a seasoned employee. Monitoring performance not only helps you catch issues before they escalate but also provides an opportunity for ongoing feedback and development, which can improve the temporary staff's performance and reduce the risk they pose.

5 Take Action

If a temporary staff member continues to pose a risk after you've taken preventative measures, it may be necessary to take action. This could mean reassigning them to a role that better suits their skills, reducing their responsibilities, or in some cases, ending their assignment early. It's important to handle such situations with professionalism and to follow legal and ethical guidelines. Documenting all steps taken is crucial for protecting your business and ensuring fairness.

6 Plan Ahead

Planning ahead can help you minimize the risks associated with temporary staff. This includes having a thorough vetting process for staffing agencies, maintaining a pool of trusted temporary workers, and developing contingency plans for when things don't go as expected. By being proactive, you can ensure that even when you need to rely on temporary staff, your business remains secure and your customers continue to enjoy the high-quality experience they expect from your establishment.

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?