Your team is divided over food safety procedures. How can you bring everyone together?

To unify your team over food safety procedures, begin by emphasizing the importance of food safety for both customer health and the restaurant’s reputation. Arrange a team meeting where everyone can express concerns or suggestions. Present clear, non-negotiable safety standards and explain how they benefit the entire operation. Encourage collaboration by involving team members in refining the procedures, making sure everyone feels heard. Provide training or refreshers if necessary, and foster a culture of accountability where everyone understands their role in maintaining high safety standards.

Food safety procedures are non-negotiable, and the ability for a leader to enact policy surrounding such is nothing more than a direct reflection on that leader. There is only one way, the way that makes it safe for guests and patrons, and everything else is just noise. A leader must accurately and effectively articulate this, and manage on these policies accordingly, with the necessary levels of education & training, alongside a noted level of fair discipline across all job codes.

My first work was in a fast food restaurant. All the stuff including the manager were educated on what their doing. The new staff like me, educated by doing seminars and then the results were shown working. Education is the key and all the workers are showing respect and understanding to each other.

Without proper education and alignment, you cannot expect your team to have an understanding of protocols.. Making sure that there is a standard "onboarding" or training process for all new employees and a refresher for existing ones on a routine basis will allow for an increased likelihood of success.

Knowledge is indeed power, especially when it comes to food safety. By providing your team with comprehensive training and fostering open dialogue about the "why" behind food safety protocols, you're not just enforcing compliance, you're cultivating a culture of understanding and shared responsibility. This proactive approach empowers your team to become active participants in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

I agree on this. During working on their lunch break or dinner break they talk or before or after work if there is a big problem. Talking the problems is necessary to find the solutions to make the job better.

This is a crucial factor to establish in any working environment. With ongoing stressors in and out of the workplace, allowing employees open and safe spaces to share their concerns or feedback will foster a more collaborative environment. This in turn, will keep your employee base feel more satisfied and supported in their roles and less like they have nowhere to turn when times get tricky.

Unified commitment to food safety is crucial for success. Emphasize that every role, from kitchen staff to servers, plays a part in maintaining safety standards, whether it’s proper storage, handling, or cleanliness. Reinforce that each team member’s adherence to protocols not only prevents health risks but also boosts customer trust and loyalty. When the team understands how their actions safeguard the reputation of the business and the wellbeing of guests, they’re more likely to collaborate effectively, fostering a culture of accountability and shared responsibility.

Aligning your team around food safety starts with clear communication of how each role impacts the bigger picture. Regularly emphasize that every action, from prep to service, plays a crucial part in maintaining safety standards and ensuring customer satisfaction. Reinforce the importance of strict compliance with procedures through training and real-time feedback. When employees understand that their individual efforts directly affect food safety and the overall success of the business, they become more engaged and motivated to work together, driving collective excellence.

To bring the team together over food safety procedures, it’s best to follow international standards of practice. When there's confusion or disagreement, maintain an open mind and be willing to update procedures based on evidence-based practices, international standards, or regulatory guidelines. Cultivate a culture where practices are grounded in solid evidence rather than personal opinions. Encouraging open dialogue and continuous education can help ensure everyone is aligned and committed to the highest food safety standards.

The food industry especially, is an industry faced with continuous changes and headwinds when it comes to standards and regulations. Making sure that you have a team or members of a team, continuously training and refreshing individuals will help take you one step further in mitigating risks associated with these changes. It also helps to align your teams routinely with standard operating procedures, leading to less risk of quality issues.

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