Supporting your staff to be resilient in today’s challenging workplace

KEY INSIGHTS

• It’s important to help support your staff to build and sustain resilience in the workplace
• “Courageous conversations” are an effective resource in any chef’s toolkit
• Dedicating time to emotional wellbeing can improve staff resilience

In recent years it’s been recognised that the long hours and high-stress environments under which many chefs and other foodservice staff work can put them at risk of mental health challenges. This can lead to inability to cope with work and using coping mechanisms such as substance abuse. These are significant reasons for people choosing to leave the industry, and as such are contributing factors to the current staff shortages

That’s why it’s important to help support your staff to build and sustain resilience, ensuring the ongoing success of your business and their future career in the industry over the longer term.

Former AFL sportsman Wayne Schwass, who played for both Sydney Swans and North Melbourne, is very familiar with the challenges of maintaining resilience in foodservice, having conducted mentoring workshops for apprentice chefs over many years as part of the Anchor Food Professionals’ Proud to Be a Chef program.

Wayne talks about having “courageous conversations that are genuine and authentic” and how these can be a very effective resource. “It’s important to recognise the need to have the conversation around workplace mental health concerns earlier rather than later – many people bottle things up until they’re at crisis point.”

He makes the point that as human beings, part of our self-worth and wellbeing is linked to our connection with others. “You might be working with someone who’s going through a really difficult situation, and you don’t have the skillset to diagnose what the underlying issue is. You may not have the capability of being able to solve the problem. But when you work with someone, I see no reason why you shouldn’t be able to care for and love your staff. And when you offer someone you care about a hug, because you’ve noticed something’s not quite right with them, it gives them a sense of connection and hope, and it elevates their mood – there’s someone who cares about me in my workplace.

“What you’re actually saying to that person is, I see you, I value you and I care for you enough to let you know I’m here for you”

Wayne advocates that just as we care for our physical health, we should devote a similar amount of time and attention to our emotional wellbeing, and those of our co-workers and employees.

He says it’s important to recognise that stress is part of everyone’s life and that in the hospitality sector it comes with the job but adds: “When we start to prioritise our mental health and emotional wellbeing, we have a better capability of dealing with something that is stressful, working through that and getting back to what we love to do. Stress is cumulative, and every one of us has a stress threshold – when you go past that you become unwell. So, it makes perfect sense to invest in developing the skills, confidence and capacity to manage and maintain wellbeing proactively.”

He also recognises that part of the problem in our culture is that adults are discouraged from displaying sensitivity and ‘vulnerable’ emotions in work settings. “We are human beings, and as such we have emotions, but we have been told to hide them when we’re feeling stressed because it’s perceived as weakness.”

Listening to others share their stories without judging them, and showing you understand, are two important ways you can show support. Encouraging staff to come together for social occasions where they can feel free to talk through any work issues, and actively support each other, is also helpful.

It’s also helpful to acknowledge that professional help is available for those who need it and offering emotional support and encouraging all staff to look out for one another can play a big role in building a healthier, more resilient team.

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