January/February 2022 - 14

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and develop negative feelings towards
work.
Make sure that every employee clearly
understands their role from the start of
the hiring process. Accurate expectations
will lead to fulfillment and comfort;
unexpected responsibilities-especially
those without proper training-will lead
to frustration and burnout.
3. Consider organizational
improvements.
Inefficient processes and procedures lead
to annoyance at best-and burnout and
quitting at worst. Open up discussions
with your team to assess struggles in the
facility.
For example, is there a better way to
organize your kitchen's workflow? Are all
the necessary resources available, or are
employees having difficulty completing
tasks because they don't have access to
what they need? Does staff have adequate
training for each task being performed?
As a manager, you should regularly
assess these questions solo, as well as
in conjunction with your staff. They
can provide first-hand accounts of how
problems are impacting the day-to-day
operations, and ideas for improvements.
Maybe there's a new way of organizing
inventory that will make it easier to stay
on top of low-stock supplies. Perhaps
creating a simple start-of-shift checklist
will help employees remember every
step that needs to be completed. Or if
onboarding is an issue, maybe there's an
online training subscription that you can
purchase to help better prepare new hires.
Not every suggestion or idea will be
feasible or logical, but the conversation
should get those creative wheels turning
and help you figure out changes to
improve workflow and reduce burnout.
WORKPLACE WELLNESS
PROGRAMS can reduce
stress, improve physical and
mental health, and boost
morale at your facility-all
of which may contribute to
reduced burnout and turnover.
4. Make sure employees feel
valued.
Employees spend the large majority of
their week at their job; it's an integral
part of their life. When that person feels
valued, respected, and supported at work,
they're less likely to feel burned out.
Consider implementing these simple yet
effective strategies:
* Treat all employees with dignity
and respect. Avoid letting your own
negative feelings or biases affect the way
you manage your team.
* Celebrate successes, both large and
small! Your team will feel energized by
the recognition they receive for their
efforts.
* Provide opportunities for open
communication with your employees,
so they feel comfortable bringing forth
concerns or ideas (and feel like these are
valued in the organization).
* Encourage lifelong learning. Give
employees opportunities for growth
so they may continue developing
professionally.
14 NUTRITION & FOODSERVICE EDGE | January-February 2022
* Get to know your employees. Different
people respond best to different types
of communication, and being aware of
this can help you more effectively lead
and motivate each person.
* Focus on constructive rather than
combative feedback to help employees
grow in their roles.
5. Implement workplace
wellness programming.
Workplace wellness programs can
reduce stress, improve physical and
mental health, and boost morale at your
facility-all of which may contribute to
reduced burnout and turnover. This is
particularly true when the programming
includes a mindfulness or mental health
component.
A study in the Journal of Medical
Internet Research evaluated the impact
of digital mental health interventions
in the workplace. The review found
these programs had positive impacts on
Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - January/February 2022

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