What Policies Help Foster a Positive Work Environment in Hospitality?
In the quest to cultivate a nurturing and productive atmosphere in the hospitality industry, we've gathered insights from top professionals, including a Hospitality & Events Manager and a Regional General Manager. From implementing an Inclusion and DEI Policy to launching a unique #BUBU Recognition Program, explore the five transformative policies that these experts swear by for fostering a positive work environment.
- Implement an Inclusion and DEI Policy
- Prioritize Team Member Education
- Foster Connection and Integrity
- Introduce Open-Door Feedback Initiative
- Launch #BUBU Recognition Program
Implement an Inclusion and DEI Policy
We had great food, loyal clients, and a solid business model, but it wasn't until we created an Inclusion Statement and DEI Policy that we really tipped the scales into becoming a catering company with impeccable hospitality. Diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging are foundational pillars of our industry. In order to make our clients and guests feel welcome and cared for, our team must also feel that they are seen, included, and truly belong. Dedicating our efforts toward informed DEIAB opened the doors for people from all walks of life to join our team and feel motivated to be their best. This, in turn, allowed us to provide top-tier hospitality. Our employees are empowered to show up authentically; they reflect the people we serve, our sales have more than quadrupled, we outshine our competitors, and our clients and their friends keep coming back for more. Inclusion is always the best policy.
Prioritize Team Member Education
More than anything else, education fosters a positive work environment for hospitality teams.
Developing team members, especially younger team members, has the benefit of improving their capabilities and, therefore, their service quality, as well as making it clear that their personal development is important to you.
This engenders feelings of belonging and empowerment, increasing the longevity of their tenure and making them more effective team members.
Foster Connection and Integrity
Abandoning traditionalist approaches to power-based relationships is crucial in contemporary hospitality. As we live in a world in which connection, integrity, and kindness are essential, establishing safe and healthy environments should take priority for managers across all industries. With talent networks slimming based on compensation and hours worked, sourcing quality humans with passions for 'unreasonable hospitality' is a 911 for operators everywhere. Expecting employees to 'leave their problems at the door' does not recognize the human in front of us, but a resume with names and dates. Welcome your people, of all walks of life; the money walks in with them.
Introduce Open-Door Feedback Initiative
As a proprietor, fostering a positive work environment is something I take seriously at Kashkan Restaurants. For instance, the 'Open-Door Feedback Initiative' has been effective as one of its policies. It enables all employees to talk directly to managers and voice their concerns, suggestions, or ideas, regardless of their positions within the team. Its objective is to promote transparency, inclusivity, and continual improvement in an organization. Both structured monthly feedback meetings and anonymous feedback channels are available, through which every employee can feel confident enough to share his or her thoughts.
The result has been improved staff morale and engagement. This has led to increased job satisfaction and lower turnover rates because our employees feel valued and listened to. The collected feedback is carefully scrutinized for possible solutions or improvements that may be implemented as suggested by the respondents. As evidence of our response to their input, we regularly update members of our team on any progress made in this direction. As a result, there exists trust as well as accountability among workers, thereby transforming Kashkan Restaurants into an enjoyable workplace each day for employees who report for duty here, more so than elsewhere in town.
The gains of the Open-Door Feedback Initiative are not limited to employee satisfaction. The distinct views and progressive concepts emanating from this initiative have played a major role in enhancing our operations and customer service. We have a workplace environment that is both good and prosperous, thus encouraging communication. In addition, this strategy has created more cohesion among staff members and has positively affected the general progress of Kashkan Restaurants.
Launch #BUBU Recognition Program
One policy we've recently created and rolled out to foster a positive work environment is our #BUBU program—Better You, Better Universe. This initiative was designed to uniquely recognize and reward our team members with personalized experiences that help replenish their energy in ways that best serve them and remind them how important they are to our company. For some, this might mean a relaxing spa day, while for others, it could be an exhilarating trip to a smash/break room. We take the time to curate these experiences to the individual, ensuring each reward feels deeply personal and thoughtful. This approach has boosted our team's morale and engagement, as our team members feel seen and valued.
