There’s no doubt, managing workforce demands (especially in the hospitality industry) can be a constant challenge.

From fluctuating customer traffic to seasonal events, maintaining a full-time staff capable of handling these variations can be both costly and impractical.

This is where partnering with a temporary staffing firm (shameless plug: like The Lee Group) can be a game-changer for hospitality businesses.

However, to make the most out of this partnership, it's essential to follow some key tips.

Define Your Needs Clearly: Before seeking assistance from a temporary staffing firm (and of course we hope you ask us at The Lee Group), take the time to identify your specific staffing needs. Are you short-staffed during peak hours, weekends, or holidays? Understanding your requirements will help a staffing agency find the right candidates who match your needs and culture.

Communicate Expectations Clearly: Clear communication is the foundation of any successful partnership. Be transparent about your expectations regarding skills, work hours, and dress code. Provide detailed job descriptions so recruiting managers can find candidates who fit seamlessly into your team.

Offer Training and Onboarding: Even temporary staff need some level of training and onboarding. Ensure that they understand your business's values, procedures, and safety protocols. This will help them provide a better guest experience and avoid potential mishaps.

Provide Feedback and Evaluate Performance: Maintain open lines of communication with your staffing agency (again, we hope that’s us!) and provide feedback on the temporary staff's performance. Regular evaluations can help identify areas for improvement and ensure that (y)our partnership remains productive.

Flexibility is Key: One of the primary benefits of temporary staffing is flexibility. Be ready to adapt to changing circumstances. If you find certain temporary staff members excel in their roles, consider offering them permanent positions to retain top talent.

Build a Relationship: Consider your partnership with a staffing firm as a long-term relationship. Building a rapport with your agency can lead to better service and more tailored solutions over time.

Plan for Peak Seasons: For many hospitality businesses, certain seasons are significantly busier than others. Plan for these peak periods well in advance. This proactive approach ensures you have the right personnel when you need them most.

Monitor Costs: While temporary staffing can save costs in the long run, it's essential to monitor your expenditures. Keep an eye on the budget to ensure that you're getting a positive return on investment from your staffing partnership. For example, at some point it might make sense to convert some positions to permanent ones.  In that case, your temporary team might be the first folks you think of to make full-time and long-term.

Questions about how to get started with a staffing firm, whether that’s with The Lee Group or not? Contact us. We’re straight shooters and will walk you through what you’ll need to know and think about.

Latest Post

If there’s one question we get over and over again from small businesses looking to scale it’s “how do I know when it’s time to hire?” We are excited to…
Read More

How Do You Know When You Need to Hire?

We can help you determine when it’s time to hire, whether you need to fill a vacant position or create a new one, and when outsourcing might be the best option.

Download our How-To Guide!