Smart Tech for a Smart Workforce
Time is money, and hospitality companies are banking on gaining efficiencies and improved customer experiences through workforce management solutions.
Low unemployment (rates in the U.S. hover around 4%) and high annual turnover rate in the hospitality sector (in excess of 70%) contribute to a perfect storm of workforce woes for many brands.
To help turn the tide, savvy hospitality companies are leveraging a variety of labor management solutions. In this special report, Hospitality Technology examines four areas of opportunity for hotels and restaurants to leverage technology to make the workforce more engaged, productive and effective.
1. Streamline the Onboarding Process
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa (www.grandtraverseresort.com) in Michigan streamlined its workforce management, including onboarding of new employees, with Dayforce from Ceridian (www.ceridian.com), a cloud-based program that includes HR, payroll, talent management, benefits and workforce management.
“It definitely makes it easier for staff to find a solution. We get less no-shows. This puts the ownership back to the employee … to solve the problem,” Evanochko says.
Time-off requests are streamlined as well.
“Gone are the days of the lost piece of paper with time-off requests,” says Evanochko. “When they request a day off or time off or change their availability, I get a message on my phone. I can approve or deny it right on the spot.”
3. Remove Communication Barriers
A benefit of many workforce management solutions is that they foster communication across the enterprise. Smoke’s employees can reach Evanochko and his managers via the app, and Evanochko can send out a company-wide communication and know who has read it.
Communicating across multiple locations can be a challenge for any company. It can be even more problematic when the majority of employees are not connected, and outdated communication tools are used.
Breaking Down Silos
With communication barriers removed, employee feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“All teams at all levels echoed a huge improvement in company-wide communications that is clearly seen in our increased employee retention rates,” Horn said. “Beekeeper breaks down old-school mentalities on how to manage. It lets you see every person. You can touch every associate.”
SIXTY Hotels uses the app to contribute to team building even before a new hire’s first day.
“Prior to someone starting, team members are notified about their new coworker,” Horn explains. “It helps create a family-feel on the property. You can get to know everyone on the property. It builds camaraderie.”