HR is a diverse department with many disciplines. The Talent Acquisition facet is a valuable key component to the success of any company and it is in serious need of a makeover.
Turnover
Long hours, varied schedules and low pay are just some of the contributing factors for high turnover in the hospitality industry. In an industry where the main focus is customer satisfaction how do we ensure employee satisfaction? It is a proven fact that people tend to show more loyalty when they feel respected and appreciated. If raising your salary budget is not something you are able to do and perhaps there are schedule issues due to turnover and being short staffed, then It is our responsibility as HR professionals to find solutions that are outside the box. It is important for management to take some time out of the rigorous day to day and really listen to the employee. While making accommodations for every employee's list of demands is impossible and can cause the company undue hardship certain accommodations are possible. For example, if you are short staffed in a certain department it is important to be understanding of employee needs maybe allowing each person a weekend off on a rotating schedule is quick fix or perhaps cross training a few star employees that are looking for a way to earn a little more. Its taking the time to find these small accommodations to improve company morale and reduce turnover in an already demanding industry.
Recruitment
Finding quality employees has been quite the challenge for HR in the Hospitality Industry for some time now. With turnover rates being so high and management in need of quick replacements it is understandable that the recruitment process to become a bit automatic. There are times that the need for a "person" to fill the position is higher than the need for an experienced employee. This is a common faux pas. By filling a position with just any available candidate in a time of need, the company becomes exposed to cost incurring mistakes as well as a drop in customer satisfaction. The company will in most cases have a need to fill that same position again within a short period of time. In situations like these where the position is urgent HR should have a trusted staffing agency that will cater to the company’s operational needs with well vetted and trained employees.
Training
Hand in hand with high turnover and recruitment issues is training and the lack thereof. It is almost like a hamster running on a fitness wheel. The hamster is working very hard but it is not getting anywhere, it is an unproductive cycle as opposed to a well-oiled machine. The departmental demand on HR is so high due to the turnover that HR is expected to fill positions at an unrealistic rate. These employees are hired in a moment of dire need and unfortunately, they are almost never properly trained or set up for success. Hotels and other businesses in the hospitality industry can also consider outsourcing their training for these types of roles. The key to outsourcing is to find an agency that is trusted and that can deliver quality every time.