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Jonathan Deutsch, Ph.D.

Articles by
Jonathan Deutsch, Ph.D.

Page 6
Workforce

How can I put a stop to time theft at my restaurant?

Advice Guy: Ensuring your training, documentation and policies are clear to staff is a good place to start.

Operations

Are restaurants allowed to accept food stamps?

Advice Guy: Yes, operators in some states are able to take payments from Electronic Benefit Transfer cards.

Should I pass credit card processing fees to my customers?

Advice Guy: As prices for just about everything increase, the processing fees from credit cards is looking more onerous. Should a restaurant owner charge those customers extra?

Workforce

My workers are giving out too many comp items. Should I fire them?

Advice Guy: While you may be justified in disciplining your employees, their overzealous comping could point to bigger problems in your systems, management and oversight.

Workforce

Here are better ways for servers to address customers

Advice Guy: As restaurants struggle with staffing, some servers might not receive hospitality training, resulting in insensitive or annoying language that can also inhibit sales.

Workforce

Does it make sense to offer restaurant employees daily pay?

Advice Guy: Earned wage access isn’t right for every operation. However, if the idea is appealing to your current and prospective employees, it's worth exploring.

Workforce

Should a restaurant worker get overtime for assisting in an emergency situation?

Advice Guy: Unless there is an applicable company policy or local regulation, employers aren’t required to pay overtime for this sort of situation unless the staffer works more than 40 hours.

Workforce

When hiring a manager, is it OK to ask for references of workers they’ve supervised?

Advice Guy: Checking specific types of references, such as former employers and former employees, can give useful perspective.

Workforce

Can servers be required to deep clean the restaurant kitchen?

Advice Guy: Many restaurants have a weekly all-hands deep clean, at least in the back of house, which I highly recommend.

Workforce

When it comes to creative signage, how much can restaurants push the envelope?

Advice Guy: For signs about employee handwashing and the like, bars and restaurants shouldn’t test the limits of health code compliance.

Operations

Is it OK to give customers incentives for good reviews?

Advice Guy: Certain methods of encouragement, such as signage, can work well, while offering discounts or free items in exchange for positive reviews is dicier.

Workforce

How much notice should a chef give when quitting?

Advice Guy: Many people look at start beginning of the year as a time for new opportunities, but resignations should be approached as a conversation.

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