Technology can improve hospitality workers’ experience
88% of hospitality workers surveyed think the use of technology in the workplace needs to improve, becoming more widespread and better-implemented.
The vast majority of respondents to this survey say the use of technology in the workplace needs to improve, particularly with tasks such as shift management, scheduling and performance reviews.
More than a third (38%) of the UK respondents feel that technology has become more important to their role since the pandemic although 88% of hospitality workers surveyed think the use of technology in the workplace needs to improve, becoming more widespread and better-implemented.
Digital clocking-in and out, smart scheduling and shift management were highlighted as areas where technology could help improve employees’ experiences at work the most.
Around half have access to a smartphone app for tasks such as viewing payslips and shift management but many would like technology options for tasks such as unassigned shift distribution, attendance monitoring, submitting review or performance processes online.
The survey showed that while 91% of staff say they find this technology easy to use, only 32% say it makes their job easier – revealing that many people are currently frustrated by technology, often because it’s not efficient or user-friendly, or its outdated or slow.
“Some businesses equip employees with digital tools but they’re far from widespread in hospitality,” observes Pete Willis, Harri’s Commercial Director UK & EMEA, “Companies’ apps offer a growing range of staff services but take-up could be improved. There’s clearly scope to make more use of technology to improve employees’ experiences and this is an ideal time to invest in solutions that can make a material difference to the satisfaction levels of employees.”
For example, for the employer, the utilisation of live reporting technology, enables staff to compete internally against one another on product sales and sales can be maximised through performance dashboards, automated report distribution and reporting across multiple data sources.
In addition to live reporting, technology can also streamline back-of-hous operations through a series of bespoke ‘dashboards’ where all resources are able to communicate with suppliers and head office, for example.
