The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way that almost every restaurant views their sick leave policy. Now, it’s more important than ever to have a comprehensive list of procedures and guidelines for how to deal with employees who fall ill. Paid sick leave is no longer a luxury in restaurant jobs. It’s now a necessity for restaurants looking to keep their employees or hire new ones in today’s competitive job market. A paid sick leave shows that your business cares for its customers and staff alike by keeping everyone safe and your restaurant operating.
What Are the Benefits of Providing Paid Leave?
Research has shown that providing fourteen days of paid sick leave per employee, per year in the restaurant industry was hugely successful and favored by both restaurant owners and restaurant workers. In a study reported by Jessica Fu via The Counter, it was found that this policy encouraged workers “to take an average of two days off for illness per year—all at the cost to employers of about 20 cents per hour worked by an employee.” That’s a minor cost for the safety of your workers and your customers.
Providing a comprehensive sick leave policy also helps your business in other ways. In the wake of the pandemic, workers are wary of businesses that won’t treat them well. A sick leave policy is one way of setting your restaurant apart from the rest on the hunt for employees. Additionally, increased trust in employers is linked to higher productivity and overall happier workers. This can only mean good things for you as a business owner.
Will Having This Policy Hurt My Business?
There are drawbacks to any new policy. However, in the case of offering a paid sick leave policy, the benefits clearly outweigh the costs. Sure, providing a paid sick leave policy can cost your business a negligible amount of money when employees do call out sick. It can also cause scheduling issues, especially with today’s workforce conditions.
But consider the alternative. Having sick employees working in your restaurant can cause widespread illness among your staff and your customers, too. And having customers lose out on earnings if they do decide to sacrifice their pay to take a needed day off will only make them resentful of your business. This can cause you to lose employees when they decide to jump ship and head for a job with better policies.
Overall, implementing a paid sick leave policy for your business is a great step towards being a responsible employer. Customers, too, will see that you care about your staff, and will have a more positive experience in your restaurant. This can lead to other benefits for you and your business. Make sure that you communicate with your employees and potential hirees about your new policies, too. That way, you’ll be all set! Best of luck in implementing new policies, we’re all rooting for you!
