It’s no secret that restaurants experience their share of employee turnover. In fact, according to the United States Department of Labor, foodservice has the highest turnover rate among leading industries — clocking in at a rate of nearly 75 percent. With stats like these, it’s no wonder businesses have trouble recouping the time and money they spend hiring and training their workforce.

While retaining employees can feel like an uphill battle, it doesn’t have to. With the right strategy and a little out-of-the-box thinking, you can keep your employees happy and coming back for more. Here are a few must-try retention strategies to get you started!

Create an employee-centric culture.
No matter the industry, culture plays a critical role in retention efforts. If employees enjoy where they work, they are less likely to leave. And, while it’s important to make people feel like they are part of the team, it’s just as important to show you care. Consider small perks that would appeal to your employees. Whether it’s pre-shift “family” meals with staff, “mom hours” that accommodate school pick-up times and weekend schedules, free parking, or fun tasting events, find ways to boost morale and show your people that they come first.

Invest in management.
You may have heard the saying that “people leave managers, not companies.” Considering that one in two employees have left a job to get away from a manager at some point, it’s a worthwhile area to focus on. Before bringing on new management, take a hard look at their references. Talk with their past employers, as well as staff members they managed to get the full picture and an accurate feel for their reputation, style, people skills, and ability to problem solve. Once you’ve found the right hires, find ways to develop them through training, exposure to different areas of the business, and increased responsibilities. By taking these measures, you’ll have a stronger management team. And the stronger the management team, the more likely your employees are to stay on board.

Find culinary lifers.
Not everyone you hire will see a long-term future for themselves in the foodservice business. However, finding hardworking employees with a genuine interest in the industry can help your retention efforts. If possible, set up recruitment initiatives with area colleges and culinary schools. Many students are eager for hands-on experience and are likely to stick around when presented with the right opportunities for growth and advancement. Also, pay attention to the people you already have on staff — there may be a future executive chef or business manager hiding among the ranks!

Provide the right tools.
No matter which way you slice it, the life of a restaurant employee is fast-paced, high-stress and high-pressure. For many, this is what attracted them initially but eventually sent them running for the door. To combat employee turnover and burnout, you must arm your teams with the tools and equipment they need to keep pace. For example, take a look at what’s working and not working in the kitchen. From operator-free ovens to precision-cooking technology, there are tons of ways to make things easier for your staff. This won’t only help with retention, but it’ll help your workforce deliver more — faster.

At Ovention, we believe that how you cook is just as important as what you cook. To learn more about how our innovative, operator friendly ovens can help you delight employees and customers alike, visit oventionovens.com today!