How To Foster Employee Engagement In The Hospitality Industry?

COVID-19 pandemic has forced many employers to make complex business decisions. It has necessitated them reducing their workforces through layoffsand, often, terminations. But, this crisis will pass soon. And when it does, companies must prepare themselves to keep their best staff and resume work. As a result, employee engagement is now more critical in all sectors. But, it is especially vital in the hospitality industry.

Offering the best customer service is the motto of the hospitality industry. Your workers are your sole brand ambassadors. A single blunder may mean the difference between a satisfied and an angry customer. Keeping them happy is the best way to keep them around and pleased with their employment. Also, engaged workers are better at presenting consumers with the best possible experience.

According to research by the Science Direct-

• COVID-19 harmed the engagement of employees at deluxe hotels. It is due to feelings of job insecurity.

• Employees who do not have a high level of workplace commitment are more likely to leave.

• COVID-19 induced work insecurity is a significant factor in declining workplace engagement.

Now the question is -

What can these employers do to stay linked and promote employee engagement?

6 Ideas To Foster Employee Engagement In the Hospitality Industry

1. Rewards and Recognition

According to a report, hospitality workers have different preferences for rewards and recognition. Thus, hospitality organizations must consider creating a well-balanced yet flexible reward-recognition framework. It should motivate workers to reach organizational goals while meeting their own needs.

Integrate with Vantage Circle and enrich your work culture. We offer you modern employee rewards, on-spot recognition, feedback, and wellness strategies.

2. Freebies

In the hospitality industry, it's essential to remember efforts at all work levels. Right from housekeeping to the front desk, making them feel special is vital. It’s always a good idea to provide them freebies like fresh fruits, coffee, or soft drinks throughout the day. It will keep your employees energized and refreshed. And it is quite an inexpensive idea too!

3. Compensatory Time

The hospitality industry depends on customer's disposable income and leisure time. So, customer satisfaction is its topmost priority. As a result, there is constant work, which can affect these workers' lives. Therefore, a little break is often the best thing you can offer a hospitality employee. Long hours become bearable if you know you'll be able to rest for a day or a few hours soon.

4. Friendly Competitions

Friendly competition among employees can benefit organizational sales, employee productivity, and employee engagement. Incentivize your employees for achieving their targets and sometimes, for giving their best.

5. Development Opportunities

The hospitality industry employs a diverse workforce with a wide range of jobs. Clerks, suppliers, and managers have different requirements than cleaning staff and restaurant servers. But, since your workforce reflects the hotel's hospitality culture, you must train everyone. Many people who work in the hospitality industry start at the bottom and work their way up. Thus, in the hospitality industry, employee training and development are essential. It helps to have a consistency about how they act and how they do things.

The hospitality industry can offer a wide range of training opportunities. Good workplace communication skills are an essential asset for employers and employees. Like, every hotel employee must know how to communicate with their guests. Your staff may not know your guest's background. So, learning to work with people from different backgrounds is essential. Also, visitors view the workforce as a single entity. That calls for teamwork and diversity training.

Also read: Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: A Guide

Also, prepare your employees in case of natural disasters or possible terrorist activity. Train them with basic safety procedures like first aid.

6. Communication Opportunities

You can help your employees work together by cultivating a sense of connectivity. A successful employee scheduling tool will also provide a team communication function better. It allows employees to connect and coordinate with their coworkers from their smartphones.

Remember, employees would be more dedicated to their jobs if they can connect both on and off the clock. So make team meals a tradition, organize social, team-building activities for employees outside of work. You can also plan holiday parties to foster a sense of community among your employees.

This article is written by Susmita Sarma, a podcast host and content creator at Vantage Circle. She was involved with media relations before shifting her interest in research and creative writing. Apart from being a classical music buff, she keeps a keen interest in anchoring and cooking. For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com