Did you know that techniques for staffing your dining program in a senior living community differ from hiring in a dine-in restaurant?
Instead of only looking at a potential employee’s customer service skills, you need to account for nutrition education, familiarity with the diverse needs of today’s seniors, and an ability to adapt to ever-changing food and safety health requirements.
Without keeping these factors in mind during your hiring process, you’ll end up with gaps in your service that could be detrimental to the overall functioning of your community.
Why allow these gaps to fall on your shoulders and increase your workload, when you can hire quality staff (and a stellar food service management program partner) to help you?
In this blog, we’ll debrief you on today’s food service staffing trends and give you some ways to implement them.
What are current staffing trends in food service?
The food service industry hasn’t had it easy since COVID-19. Although this was a devastating time for many business owners and certainly didn’t make senior living kitchens function any easier, some lessons were learned and can help us make dining programs more efficient and person-centered. Now, these lessons are becoming staffing trends as more food service leaders recognize their importance.
Current staffing trends include:
Employee-centered work environments
With record-low unemployment rates and a highly competitive job market, food service operators focus on creating positive work environments and supporting employee well-being to reduce turnover and improve retention.
Valuing specific skillsets
As menus become more complex and consumer expectations rise, your kitchen will require skilled labor to meet demands — including trained chefs, cooks, and food safety professionals. Nutritionists and dietitians are also a part of this staffing trend, as they play a crucial role in prioritizing residents’ nutritional health to create meal plans that account for unique health needs.
Improvements in technology
Technology transforms food service operations, from online ordering and delivery to automated kitchen equipment and data analytics. Food service staff must be comfortable working with technology to remain competitive.
Relationship building
We’re seeing a shift towards prioritizing hospitality and relationship-building in senior living food service. This trend acknowledges the importance of social connection and personalized attention in residents’ dining experiences, ultimately benefiting their mental and physical health.
But are these trends, or are they new, innovative ways of thinking that will change the face of senior living dining programs for the better? At CSG, we think it’s the latter.
Turning staffing trends into strategies for successful hiring and retention in senior living
Now that you know the current staffing trends, you can use them to improve your hiring practices and increase retention rates among your staff. Starting off, it’s important to prioritize potential employees who share a passion for holistic, person-centered care. You can learn more about their care philosophy by asking questions assessing their understanding of nutrition, wellness, and resident-centered care.
In addition, prioritizing candidates with hospitality experience can enhance your residents’ experiences. Once they’re on your team, train them on empathy and active listening and use role-playing exercises to assess their customer service skills.
Here are a few more tips we recommend to create a more intuitive hiring process.
- To reach a wider pool of candidates, utilize digital recruitment platforms, social media, and online job boards. The more you can have a positive online presence, including places where potential employees can read staff policies and procedures, the more approachable you seem during the job search process. You can also leverage employee ambassadors to share positive experiences and showcase the community’s culture.
- Including residents and younger staff members in the interview process can also provide valuable insights. This intergenerational interview panel can assess candidates’ ability to connect with diverse age groups and ensure they fit well into the community.
- Offering competitive benefits packages that include things like student loan forgiveness, wellness programs, or flexible scheduling can help attract top talent and set your community apart from others. Be sure to know what fits within your community’s budget and resource pool, but don’t be afraid to think outside of the box about different incentives to offer staff.
- Assessing culture fit is vital to ensure new hires align with the community’s values and mission. Use assessments and behavioral questions to evaluate candidates’ compatibility and potential for success.
- Regular feedback and coaching are essential for new hires. Provide ongoing support and use data analytics to identify areas for improvement, ensuring they have the tools needed to succeed.
- Clear career pathways let potential employees know there are opportunities for staff growth and development. Establishing these chances for advancement and providing training programs to support their progress increases employees’ motivation to participate in the work environment.
- Work-life balance is a critical consideration for many people applying for jobs in food service right now, especially if they have a history in the industry. Assess their expectations and needs around flexibility and discuss options during the hiring process to ensure a mutual understanding before you bring them onto your team.
- Implementing employee referral incentives can encourage current staff to refer top talent and reward successful hires. Plus, if your top employees are recruiting the people in their network, they’re likely just as talented.
Don’t want to start staffing alone? CSG can help.
Revamping a hiring strategy is a big job. If you’re not ready to tackle it alone, Culinary Services Group can help. Since we’re passionate about nutrition in senior living and employee well-being in the senior living communities we partner with, we work with you to find a food service management plan that aligns with your community’s values and resident population. Reach out via our contact form to speak to a sales team member about our plans and additional services.
