A Guide to New Year’s Resolutions for Restaurants

The New Year is upon us and, as is done each year, it is time to make some resolutions that will help your restaurant have the most successful year possible. Start it off

Dr. John E. Aoki, M.D. CHCQM, FABQAURP
Chief Medical Officer

right by making sure your work environment and employees are safe, happy, and healthy.

People who explicitly set goals for the year are ten times more likely to achieve those goals than those who do not – and we think the same can be said for businesses as well. We have put together a list of resolutions that you could use as a guide to make 2017 as successful as possible for your restaurant:

1. Focus on Safety in the Workplace

Management should perform annual safety seminars with employees to ensure that they stay alert while on the job and are following the safety protocols that have been set in place. Go through your worksite and make sure that equipment is functioning properly, flooring is in good condition to reduce the risk of falls, and your staff is trained to work together to both identify problematic areas and taking steps to correct them. Employees are the backbone to any business and it is important to make sure that their safety is a top priority. Injured workers cost the company lost work hours and productivity, puts stress on other employees to cover the work for their injured coworkers, and has serious financial and emotional impacts on the injured employee. Making sure that your work environment and practices are up to recommended safety standards is important in preventing injuries.

2. Destigmatize Mental Health

Working in the service industry can create a lot of stress on employees. It is important for employees to recognize mental health as an aspect of their overall health and to make sure they aren’t putting on more stress than they can handle. Management should be welcoming and encourage employees to voice their concerns about their stress levels and help them to find ways to address the issue before it leads to a burn out. Employees are often working hard hours, double shifts, weeks at a time without a day off, and on top of that, also have to cater to the needs of customers, which can often be unpredictable. You should also consult your health plans to find out if there are employee assistance programs that employees can be referred to for covered counseling benefits to employees and their families.

3. Create a Supportive Environment

Management should promote inclusivity in the workplace to make all their employees feel supported and that the contributions they are making are acknowledged and appreciated. When problems arise, corrections should be made in a constructive way that motivates employees to make positive changes to their work ethic. Employees are likely to do better when they are in an environment that shows support. They are more engaged, have a higher quality of work, and improved morale when they feel supported and valued by their employer and fellow coworkers.

4. Stay Healthy

It is important to practice proper hygiene to reduce the risk of spreading various viruses and bacteria. Working in the service industry means you are at risk for higher exposure to illness as well as exposing more people to an illness that you are dealing with. Employees who know they are sick should stay home and focus on getting healthy before returning to work. Last year we learned the hard way on how important it is to promote healthy lifestyle choices, not just for the sake of ourselves, but for our customers as well. Take advantage of preventive services that are available to you through your physician and/or health plan to reduce the risk of serious illness. Eating healthy and getting regular exercise will also help to keep your immune system up and help to fight off sickness.

Making positive goals and taking action towards meeting them is important for both personal and professional growth, and starting these at the beginning of the year is a great way for us to get our minds in the game, to set attainable timelines, and harness the motivation that comes with turning the calendar to a year.

Brought to you by HMAA, where we’re passionate about your health. To find out more about the HMAA health plan, visit hmaa.com or contact our Customer Service Department. For information on our menu of wellness services, please contact Naomi Azama at (808) 791 -7607 or nazama@hmaa.com.

Source: HRCouncil.ca, worksafemt.com, bostonglobe.com