TigerChef

Learning how to create an atmosphere of trust with your restaurant kitchen staff enables you to run your commercial business with confidence. Mutual trust makes everyone’s job easier and more enjoyable. Hiring people with whom you feel comfortable both personally and professionally, showing concern for workers’ well-being by ensuring that all restaurant equipment is up-to-date, and maintaining an open door policy are just a few of the ways in which you can achieve a respectful work environment. When your entire team trusts one another, everyone will be able to work efficiently. Even better, your customers will benefit from the sight of a happy, cooperative restaurant staff.

Open Door Policy

Remaining available to staff helps you deal with minor issues in order to prevent them from becoming major obstacles. Develop the habit of keeping your office door open a crack when possible and make your employees aware of set times when you will always be available to address their legitimate concerns. Once a staff member shares a concern with you, be sure to follow up on that concern regularly until the issue is resolved. Avoid engaging in petty gossip with your staff, and show your disapproval if you witness such behavior. Display a caring attitude in other ways as well. All restaurant equipment and supplies should be up-to-date and in good working order so that your employees are safe and possess the resources necessary to perform their jobs properly. Follow all local safety and sanitation codes. Ensure that you comply with all laws and regulations concerning wages, anti-discrimination policies, and amount of work hours. Behaving properly will show your staff that you are worthy of their trust and expect the same from them.

Respect Your Staff

Respecting and trusting your staff will be much easier if you hire trustworthy people from the start. Make sure that your employees come highly recommended as people as well as workers. Providing uniforms lends cohesiveness to your group of workers. Give staff members a certain measure of independence. Avoid micromanaging by ensuring that experienced staff members are always present during the shifts of those who are newer to the industry and to your particular commercial kitchen. Set up a buddy system for kitchen staff and schedule friendly, seasoned servers during the same shifts as novice hosts or hostesses. Mutual respect leads to mutual trust. Treat your staff like adults and regard each person as a vital member of the team.

Though it may take some time to improve or establish a respectful and trusting environment in your restaurant, once you have done so you will see that business runs much more smoothly. Your role as the leader of your commercial kitchen requires you to recognize how much responsibility each staff member can handle and then to trust that employee to meet your professional standards. Likewise, employees need to know that you have their concerns in mind and will deal with each issue in a polite, professional, and timely manner.

Filed under: How-To • General

Tags: open door policy, restaurant equipment, restaurant equipment and supplies, restaurant kitchen, restaurant staff