When your staff is treated well, the positive effects on your business are felt not only in your restaurant but also in the community. As a restaurant owner, you not only have direct responsibility for your employees, but also have indirect responsibility for every worker in the supply chain – the community overall. Take an active role in your community and ensure the welfare of your employees, your customers, your suppliers and others in society who you are in touch with.
Social engagement makes a difference in many ways:
Benefits
Prevents costs of non-compliance with regulations
Reduces sick-leaves or other absences of staff
Motivates staff and makes them more reliable
Makes your staff ambassadors for your restaurant
Reduces staff fluctuation
Retains loyal customers
Binds reliable suppliers
Creates respect for your business in the community – you get what you give
Strengthens local economy
Helps make a positive contribution to the society
Because the gastronomy industry is such a big employer, every size and type of restaurant has a crucial role to play as a contributor to the economy and in their local community. But unfortunately, many businesses in the hospitality and food industry still don’t comply with the law, lack basic good practices and sometimes even the knowledge of what is needed. Employees whose basic rights are not protected have a negative effect not just on the business but on the surrounding community. The efficiency of an operation, the quality of food and the overall business success is completely reliant on committed staff.
To be a sustainable and socially engaged employer, comply with your national employment legislation and uphold the basic human rights of your employees. By respecting those rights, you ensure fair terms and conditions of employment for your staff. This can be done by engaging with your employees, such as identifying necessary health and safety measures and keeping an eye on their working hours. Go further by asking for fair working conditions even for your suppliers’ employees to make an impact on the level of your supply chain. For example, do they have a code of conduct for their ethical business conduct? Get involved in your local community to be fully integrated by, for example, hiring local employees and people with different social backgrounds, cultures, and histories including migrants.
Applications that can support with menu design or communications are:
METRO supports you with a diverse product assortment and services for your sustainability strategy. Please check out the local METRO or makro website in your country.
