Is a Four Day Workweek in Restaurants Just Crazy Enough to Work? Posted on31 May

Recently,?a few restaurants ?have gained national attention for experimenting with something unheard of in the industry – a four-day workweek. While normalizing a better work-life balance is long overdue, a four-day workweek might feel too extreme for many restaurant operations. But with some creativity and clear communication, many restaurants can give their workers more time to rest and recuperate.

Here are four reasons why restaurants should give a shorter workweek some serious thought for their teams:

Promotes Reliable Workers

Shorter workweeks go hand in hand with more predictable schedules. When hourly employees can predict their schedules, they can plan for and enjoy their days off. This may even cut down on missed shifts and sick days.

However, fewer days worked often means employees will work longer shifts. This may not appeal to everyone, so employers should allow workers to choose if they want a four-day schedule. Employers might instead consider guaranteeing certain days of the week off, rotating weekends off, or even just setting schedules well in advance.

Creates More Engaged Teams

More off-days let employees rest and reset themselves. Your team will be much more productive and focused once they clock in. With the longer shifts, employees will also have more opportunities outside of busy rushes for training and development.

Reduces Turnover

Multiple companies that have experimented with a shorter workweek saw a?significant drop in turnover. ?Not only does it create more loyal hourly workers, but the benefits also trickle up to management. Less turnover means less time spent dealing with unhappy team members, covering no-call/no-shows, or recruiting and training new staff.

It is a Powerful Recruiting Tool

Work-life balance is the top priority for job seekers right now. Lately, restaurants are touting “An incredible quality of life” in their job ads, but do not have concrete policies to back up the claim. And candidates who have been previously burned out by the restaurant industry can quickly tell if this is the case. Even if such a drastic schedule change is impossible for your operations immediately, employers should still look at ways to meet candidates’ needs and be flexible during negotiations.

Partner with Experienced Restaurant Recruiters

If you are struggling to convince qualified hospitality professionals to apply to your open positions, it might be time to get some help. Our hospitality recruiters know what it takes to attract top restaurant talent to your business.?Contact us today ?to learn about our recruiting process.