Tackling Employee Morale with a Social Twist

By Emin Kara | September 13, 2023

While the hospitality industry experiences labor shortages, retaining and nurturing your existing staff is paramount. The hospitality industry is known for its constantly stressful and demanding environment; I know firsthand because I’ve worked as a cook in the past. Amidst all of this, employees often feel underappreciated. Couple that with the hustle and bustle of work and that gives you the perfect recipe for a low-morale cocktail.

Now with this article, I aim to give you three major outcomes. The main objective is increased morale, and the two byproducts are social media vitality and an improvement in your labor shortage situation. 

Now you may have an “employee of the month” board, but in my opinion that just doesn’t cut it. Often, they’re hidden from the public, and they’re very 2D. What do I mean by that? Well think of a picture – there’s no sound, no emotion, no reaction. Now think of a video, you can see the employee’s reaction to their gift or reward, the type of music can affect the viewer’s emotions, and you can show clips of them working hard.

Not only that, annual awards are impactful! The immediacy and wide reach of social media can amplify this effect tenfold. When an employee’s hard work is showcased on a company’s Instagram story or in a TikTok video, it not only boosts their morale but also showcases a company culture that values and celebrates its workforce. The ripple effect? Enhanced employee loyalty, increased job satisfaction, and an enviable employer brand.

Here’s where the byproducts come in: Right now, TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts offer the most reach out of any social media platforms. So if your video takes off (which it likely will) your business becomes highlighted as a place to work for and you’ll receive more brand awareness! Can a simple, dusty “employee of the month” board do that? I didn’t think so. 

Getting started with this is super simple! It doesn’t need to be too fancy, just make sure it’s genuine and you don’t drag it out longer than it needs to be! Here’s an example of a company doing something like this.

Spotlight Employee Achievements: Whether it’s an intricate dish prepared by a chef or a housekeeper’s impeccable attention to detail, capturing these moments and sharing them with a wider audience can make employees feel valued.

Encourage Peer Recognition: Create a hashtag specific to your establishment, e.g., #StarsofHotelXYZ. Encourage employees to use it to appreciate and highlight their colleagues’ efforts. This not only fosters a sense of community but also encourages teamwork.

Celebrate Milestones: Did an employee complete five years with your organization? Or did your team handle a large event flawlessly? Celebrate these milestones on your social media platforms. It reinforces the idea that every team member’s journey is crucial to the organization’s success.

Engage with the Content: As management, ensure you engage with such content. A simple ‘like’ or comment from the higher-ups can mean a lot to an employee.

With the rise of platforms tailored for short, engaging content, such as TikTok or Instagram reels, there’s untapped potential for the hospitality industry to weave in employee recognition seamlessly. It’s not just about morale, it’s also about showcasing the human side of the industry. After all, a happy employee doesn’t just serve guests better; they become ambassadors of the brand, both online and offline.

In conclusion, as the hospitality sector navigates the challenges of the modern era, turning to tools like social media for solutions outside of marketing can be a game-changer. Recognizing and celebrating the backbone of the industry – its employees – can set the foundation for lasting success and growth.