Web: www.wyckwyre.com | Email: sales@wyckwyre.com | Phone: (607) 251-7697

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Engaging your employees = higher profitability

WyckWyre customers share their employee engagement best practices

With Millennials, or “generation Y,” employees quickly making a large presence in the restaurant industry, it is important to learn how to keep these younger employees engaged in the workplace. Disengaged employees cost the United States $450 billion in productivity each year, on average. Disengaged employees also result in higher turnover rates and lower customer ratings for restaurants.

Millennials are the most “connected” generation, meaning every experience they have in the workplace is shared instantly with friends, family, and social media sites. 76% of consumers are likely to visit a restaurant based on a positive referral from a friend. Engaging employees and keeping them connected at the workplace brings in more customers as well as saving costs in the hiring process.

How I Empower My StaffLaurie Nagle, Holiday Inn

The connection between establishment ratings and employee engagement isn’t apparent to everyone. Hotel ratings are a top priority to Laurie’s Holiday Inn in Binghamton, NY, and she has been able to make that connection by empowering her staff to help improve customer satisfaction and overall ratings for her company.

Any employee mentioned in a positive hotel review receives $25. Small incentives keep employees engaged and excited about coming to work. Encouraging hard work for benefits that don’t cost the company much keeps employees at the workplace longer, and they are positive about the work they do.

“Our employees don’t work for us, they work with us,” said Nagle. “They are our company’s greatest investments.”

New hires immediately reap the benefits of staff empowerment. In the first 90 days of employment, new hires get a $75 bonus if they aren’t late once and/or don’t miss any days of scheduled work.

Nagle has also implemented an employee referral program for her staff. Any referral from a staff member is hired, and if the employee stays six months, the employee that referred him/her receives $75.

Nagle and her staff work year round to show hourly employees appreciation for hard work. Such programs to do so include an employee of the month selected by management. This employee receives one extra paid vacation day and $50 cash. Small rewards show the employees how valued they are.

Web: www.wyckwyre.com | Email: sales@wyckwyre.com | Phone: (607) 251-7697

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Employee Engagement Best Practices

Follow these best practices provided by top performing WyckWyre customers’ for lower turnover rates and higher employee retention and success.

1. Engage, then hire Employee engagement needs to begin before hiring takes place. 75% of WyckWyre’s best performing customers attend job fairs to reach top performing candidates. Applicants attending career fairs and open houses have a strong drive to succeed and are determined to work. These are the applicants that will show up to a job and surpass expectations, being the perfect candidates to participate in engagement practices.

2. Comply with company culture Hiring the right person to fit in with your company culture almost guarantees they will last longer at the job simply because they will fit in. Wendy’s franchises do not hire any applicant that doesn’t walk into the interview with a smile because that is a teller they won’t fit in with the positive company culture. Another best practice includes a peer panel interview. Fellow employees are the best tellers to see if an applicant will fit in based on his or her response to various questions of your company’s choosing. Current employees are what make up your work culture, and they will have the best idea of whether or not an applicant is a good fit.

3. Encourage friendly competition Competition in the workplace is a good thing if done in a fun, structured way. Competition, such as the most sales in one night or a limited time offer menu item, promotes a drive to succeed in the workplace. Employees feel a sense of accomplishment for reaching goals, no matter small or big. Offering a free meal or an extra long break for the winner of the nightly competition is a good way to show employee appreciation without affecting the company budget. Games like Restaurant BINGO are an exciting competition for employees to participate in. Contact your WyckWyre representative for ready-to-print Restaurant BINGO boards!

4. Reward Showing employee appreciation in any way possible is the best way to keep employees working for you longer. Simple rewards that don’t affect your budget are still a great way to keep employees engaged in the workplace. Offering a weeknight off work, a free meal, a longer break-time or a small gift card are cost-effective ways to show appreciation for your employees. Laurie Nagle of the Holiday Inn provides monthly birthday cakes for employees born in each month. Smaller celebrations show how much employees are appreciated, and how valued they are in the workplace. Take advantage of free benefits you can offer employees. 65% of WyckWyre applicants stated a positive company culture was the number one benefit they look for when applying to a job. Other ideas include an extra vacation day during slower months or the opportunity to leave an hour early one night. Simple actions keep your employees engaged and happy because they feel valued, and that means lower turnover rates and extra profitability for you and your company.