Posted on: December 12, 2024
How to Staff Your Bar for the Holidays
The holiday season brings a surge of customers to bars, creating a unique set of staffing challenges. Efficiently managing bar staff during this busy time can be the difference between a festive, thriving atmosphere and a chaotic, overwhelmed environment.
This blog provides tips on efficiently staffing bars around the holidays, sharing key strategies to make your staffing dreams come to life this holiday season. These tips will help you ensure a smooth operation and a positive experience for both your employees and customers.
Bar Staffing Tips
Here are some essential steps to consider when preparing for holiday staffing. These steps will help you avoid or overcome any potential bar staffing challenges.
Tip #1: Understand Holiday Staffing Needs
Begin by evaluating your bar’s previous holiday performance. Do this by reviewing sales data and identifying peak times, such as weekends, holiday parties, and local events that drive higher customer volume. Use this data to determine the ideal number of staff required for each shift, from bartenders to servers and support staff. Don’t forget to account for any special holiday hours or closures.
To avoid being caught off guard by unexpected surges, consider scheduling extra on-call staff during peak periods. On-call employees can be brought in if business picks up more than expected, ensuring you’re never short-staffed.
Tip # 2: Create a Flexible Schedule
To create a flexible scheduling approach during the holiday season, start by requesting your employees’ availability early so you have a clear understanding of who can work and who can’t. Encourage shift swapping or trading to allow employees to manage their own schedules while maintaining necessary coverage.
Consider using a rotation system for holiday shifts to ensure that no one is always stuck working the busiest or least desirable times. This creates a sense of fairness and helps maintain a positive workplace atmosphere.
Tip # 3: Boost Employee Morale and Appreciation
The holidays can be a stressful time for staff, especially if they’re missing out on celebrations with friends and family. Show your appreciation with incentives such as bonuses, holiday pay, or small gifts for those who work challenging shifts. But don’t stop there— celebrate milestones and recognize hard work with team events or shout-outs to foster a sense of community.
Moreover, offering perks like free meals, shorter shifts, or extra time off after the holidays can also make a big difference in employee morale and engagement, helping to reduce burnout and maintain productivity.
Tip # 4: Leverage Scheduling Technology
Invest in reliable technology, such as scheduling software, to streamline your staffing process. These tools can help automate shift assignments, minimize scheduling conflicts, and allow employees to view and manage their schedules in real-time. Look for software that offers features like shift swapping, notifications, and reporting tools to make communication easy and efficient.
By using scheduling software, you can also better predict busy times and adjust staffing levels accordingly. Tools like TimeForge can help you match staffing with sales forecasts, making your holiday planning more data-driven and accurate.
Tip # 5: Manage Stress and Prevent Burnout
Long hours and high customer volume can take a toll on your team. Help manage stress by rotating shifts and ensuring everyone gets adequate breaks. Encourage open communication, allowing staff to voice concerns or suggest improvements. Creating a supportive work environment helps keep morale high and reduces the risk of burnout.
Simple wellness initiatives, such as offering healthy snacks, providing access to hydration stations, or even organizing short team-building activities, can help maintain energy levels and reduce stress.
Tip # 6: Plan for Emergencies
Always have a backup plan for emergencies, such as sudden illnesses or no-shows. Keep a list of reliable on-call employees or part-time workers who can step in if needed. Make sure everyone knows the protocol for emergencies, so you can quickly fill gaps without disrupting service.
Tip # 7: Train Your Staff for the Holiday Rush
Even experienced employees can benefit from refresher training before the holiday rush begins. Review key procedures, such as handling high-volume crowds, upselling holiday specials, and managing difficult customers. This preparation helps employees feel more confident and equipped to handle the fast-paced holiday environment, improving overall service quality.
Additionally, cross-training staff should be considered for multiple roles. This allows for more flexibility in case of unexpected absences and ensures that all positions are covered, even during peak times.
Prepare Your Holiday Bar Staff With TIPS
Efficient holiday bar staffing is all about preparation, flexibility, and appreciation. Remember, a well-prepared and motivated team will provide a better experience for your customers, making the holidays enjoyable for everyone involved.
To further enhance your bar's service quality and ensure your staff is equipped with the right skills, consider providing them with comprehensive training.
Explore TIPS Certification Programs to empower your team with the knowledge and tools they need to deliver exceptional service, maintain safety, and manage challenging situations during the holiday rush and beyond.
