The Dangers of Understaffing Your Hotel at the Executive Level

hotel understaffing

Before we know it, winter will be on the way out and the busy season will be fast-approaching. If you’ve recently found yourself short-staffed (especially at the executive level), now is the time to be proactive about finding coverage. When you need effective solutions, our team at Hospitality Taskforce is here to help you with upper level temporary hotel staffing. Here’s a look at why it’s so important to keep management-level positions filled and avoid the dangers of understaffing: 

Higher Turnover

Understaffing at any level is dangerous because it leads to higher turnover. When you’re running a busy hotel, high turnover spells disaster because you’ll continually need to train new hires. To boost your chances of retaining top talent, you should pay close attention to keeping executive level positions filled. Even a short term vacancy can quickly trickle down to impact multiple departments, so if you’re about to be faced with a leave of absence by an important team member, give us a call. We’ll work with you to find an experienced contractor who can step right into the role and provide leadership you can trust.

Reduced Business Growth

Now that travel has bounced back post-pandemic and consumer spending is up as inflation cools, it’s a great time to focus on business growth. Without the expertise from executive level staff, your hotel will lose out on opportunities to increase profits. Positions such as Director of Finance, Director of Sales, and Executive Meeting Manager are critical for driving growth and maintaining a sustainable budget. 

Lower Quality Work 

When leadership is absent or understaffed, the entire property will feel the effects. Keeping executive positions fully staffed is necessary for ensuring that operations run smoothly and all departments have what they need to succeed. Without seasoned professionals to guide the team, you’ll more than likely have to outsource work to inexperienced team members or leave important work undone. With just a few weeks of lapsed coverage, the customer experience may decline, leading to even more issues for successors to untangle. 

Executive level positions are crucial for hotels, and being understaffed will quickly cause problems for the property. If you’ve recently discovered that your most experienced team members will be taking a leave of absence or moving on to another opportunity, the search for coverage should begin immediately. Since upper level vacancies can be so challenging to fill, you may be interested in seeking help from an agency that specializes in temporary hotel staffing. The Hospitality Taskforce team has been a leader in our industry since our founding in 2003. Whether you’re looking to fill a short-term vacancy or need someone to step in for several months, we can connect you with the best contractors available. Our process is rigorous, and we accept only the top-tier candidates. To learn more about how we can help, please contact us or submit an RFP. 

Hospitality Staff Planning for the New Year

As we approach the New Year, now is a great time to start planning for staffing needs in 2024. Although the winter tends to be a slower time for hotels, getting a head start with planning can help your property avoid staff shortages come summertime. Here’s an overview of how you can make the most of preparation for the upcoming year and fill the right number of temporary hospitality jobs: 

Set Goals 

The beginning of a New Year is an excellent opportunity to analyze data from the previous year and set goals for the months ahead. With realistic goals fresh in your mind, you can gain a greater understanding of your staffing needs for the future.

Check In With Each Department

Before the busy season is in full swing, check in with each department to get a feel for upcoming medical or maternity leaves. When you know what’s on the horizon and who will be out (and for how long), you can plan accordingly and avoid any hiccups in coverage. This is especially important for upper level positions, which can be more challenging to fill. 

Reach Out to a Staffing Agency 

If you discover that management-level employees will be taking leave, now is the time to reach out to a staffing agency. Filling these critical positions with qualified replacements is essential in keeping the property running smoothly, but as all hiring managers understand, high-quality candidates can be hard to find. Since upper level positions require individuals with expertise in their field, you’ll want to work with a staffing agency that takes experience seriously. At Hospitality Taskforce, we’re committed to connecting our clients with the best candidates in the business. We require contractors to have at least 10 years of experience in their role, plus a minimum of 10 references (seven professional and three personal).

The start of the New Year is always an exciting time. There’s much to look forward to, and great potential for what lies ahead. If you’re ready to take your property to new heights this year, adequate staffing is a must. After goal setting and determining upcoming staffing needs, your next step is to find a top-tier staffing agency that specializes in hospitality. At Hospitality Taskforce, we’re the industry leader in connecting clients with the highly-skilled managers they need. When you’re planning to fill temporary hospitality jobs, give us a call or submit an RFP. We’d love to help you find the best candidates for every upper level position you have in mind. 

How to Make the Most of Managing Staff Through the Winter Lull

temporary hotel staffing hospitality taskforce agency Managing Staff Through the Winter Lull

Now that summer has come to pass, many hoteliers can catch a bit of a break as we head into the slower winter season. The months of November through March are generally considered to be the off-peak season (while bookings are at their highest levels from June through August). If your property is experiencing lower occupancy rates during this time of year, you may be wondering how to make the most of managing staff. The off season is the perfect time to focus on increasing efficiency, building strong teams, and finding temporary hotel staffing. Here, we share inspiration for helping strengthen your team during the winter months to prepare for the busier season: 

Find What’s Working (And What’s Not)

After the summer rush, encourage each department to evaluate what’s working and what isn’t. Pinpointing areas that need improvement will serve your property well in the months to come. Taking the time to listen to guest feedback and employee insights will prepare your team to make important changes in the future. If you’re short on staff and need expertise from seasoned veterans in the industry, we can help connect you with highly qualified personnel to improve operations. 

Focus on Team Building

Team building is important within our industry, and can be a great strategy for making your property the best it can be. Even during the slower winter season, it can be challenging to find time for non-essential tasks. However, research shows that teams with good rapport are more effective and happier at work–which are both critical components for productivity and lower turnover. If possible, take some time to nurture your teams’ relationships with simple exercises designed for collaboration and trust-building. Activities like a team puzzle, hotel scavenger hunt, or even a potluck are investments that will pay off.

Fill Temporary Positions

Don’t let the winter season get away without getting started on the hiring process for temporary contractors. If employees have maternity leave or medical absences on the horizon, now is the time to begin looking for coverage. Whether you need someone to cover one month or several, we can assist you in sourcing excellent candidates who can be ready to step into the role as soon as you need them. To find the best candidates for your vacancy, at least one month’s notice is ideal.

The winter brings slower days for the hospitality industry, but there’s a lot that managers can do to make the most of the time. Taking some time to streamline operations and get a jump start on filling temporary hotel staffing positions are priorities you won’t regret. Since 2003, Hospitality Taskforce has been the industry leader in connecting highly qualified contractors with property managers. If you have temporary positions you’d like to fill, we’re here to help. Please contact us to learn more about the process.