This is the reality in the restaurant industry, says one of the industry’s experienced people.
Ole Søndergaard, who runs Bones restaurants in Hjørring and Frederikshavn, does not want to knock others in the industry over the head – but he would like to share what works for him when it comes to recruiting and retaining unskilled, young employees.
The discussion has become topical because parts of the industry are challenged in this particular area.
For example, the fact that it was difficult to obtain stable staff has had major consequences for Mimi’s Bistro in Strandby.
The salary is not everything
But this is not the case with all restaurants.
At Bones, there is usually a profit when new employees are sought.
– Right now we are looking for salad girls or boys under the age of 18. We need three, and 50 applications have come in. It’s cool, and I’m a little proud of that, says the restaurateur.
The place has a 3F agreement, and according to Ole Søndergård, this sends a signal of orderly conditions – not least to the young people’s parents.
The agreement means, among other things, that you are well off in terms of salary. At Bones, the young people earn DKK 170 an hour. The minimum wage at 3F is DKK 153.68 per hour as a café worker over 18 years of age.
However, Ole Søndergård is not blind to the fact that it can be difficult to contribute to the salary if you run a restaurant where the economy can be a little tight.
But there are other things you can profile yourself on, he believes.
– You can ensure that there is a proper tone of voice. And then you as an employer can create the framework so that the young people also have fun with each other – for example, it could be that they have to sit and enjoy themselves with a soda after closing time.
However, you cannot avoid the salary:
– We have hired a sweet and nice girl who comes from another restaurant in town. It is clear that it means something to her that she goes from 115 kroner an hour to just over 170 kroner. And I also have to say that the industry itself is to blame for the problems when – and there are examples of this – people are not given an employment certificate. Or not pay them during training. It’s crazy, says Ole Søndergård.
No time for breaks
If you ask the young people, it is also clear that it is the working conditions that they are completely mad about.
In a previous article on nordjyske.dk, you meet 20-year-old Lærke Hansen, who has no time for breaks and must survive on water when she shows up for work. On top of that, the ambient tone isn’t very nice either.
The consequence is that Lærke is now looking for a new job.
Also read
Why do young people flee café jobs? 20-year-old Lærke has tried it – and has no doubt why
Already five employees for next season
Jeanette Isgaard Jørgensen owns three restaurants in Aalborg; Den bette kro, Cafe Vi.2 and The third place.
She also experiences no problems recruiting young people.
– I have just hired five for the next season, and we knew that easily, says Jeanette Isgaard Jørgensen.
She places great importance on the fact that the employees have good cooperation and work under good conditions. She adds that she also generally has her staff for a long time, and it is important to her to make sure they are comfortable and happy when they are at work.
2024-08-11 13:30:31
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