For most, Labor Day signifies a three-day-weekend that simply marks the end of summer. But on one of the busiest weekends of the year for our industry, it's perhaps most important to celebrate the real reason Labor Day exists — to appreciate your hardworking staff.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in 1882 in New York City. Labor activists pushed to be recognized for all of the contributions American workers provided to the growth and strength of our country. By 1894, 23 more states had Labor Day celebrations, and the holiday was finally federally recognized that September.

So, while most 9-to-fivers are enjoying a Monday off, utilize this time to show appreciation for all the hard work your staff puts in, especially on the holidays.

Beef Up the Benefits

One of the bigger issues for people in the biz has been the scarcity of employer-provided insurance coverage. 89% of restaurant workers who participated in a survey held by Restaurant Opportunities Centers United reported that health insurance was not offered as a benefit.

But for a small restaurant or bar, where there might be many part-time positions and high turnover, premiums can skyrocket. So, first find a broker with experience setting up plans for your size. If you have fewer than 25 full-timers and meet some other criteria, a Small Business Health Care Tax Credit can cover up to 50% of your provider cost. Also, dental and vision are often easy add-ons.

If you're a National Restaurant Association member, you can also check out the Restaurant Healthcare Alliance open enrollment options specifically set for the industry. Plans include things like free back pain management and free mental health and substance abuse resources.

Other companies — like Thatch for one example — combine their modern tech platform with ICHRA (in which employers offer a tax-free monthly allowance to their employees for eligible medical expenses) to make it possible for small businesses to offer benefits typically only available to large companies. All-in-one platforms like this are becoming more widespread; they'll even handle setup, admin, and federal compliance regulations.

Consider Childcare

Obtaining childcare can be remarkably difficult due to the prevalence of double shifts and atypical hours of our industry. According to a survey by Best Places for Working Parents, 80% of working parents polled post-Covid said they would leave their current job for another if they had better family support.¹

Bigger cities are going to have more off- and on-site accommodations, like Vivvi, an employer-sponsored childcare company or WeeCare — a network of in-house childcare providers. Nationally known, KinderCare has seen its employer-sponsored program increase a whopping 50% from 2019. But do some digging to see what options are in your area.

Be Mindful of Mental Health

According to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association, the restaurant industry is considered very at risk for substance-use disorders. Organizations like Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness (CHOW) strive to create community around mental and physical wellness by holding free Zoom group meetings with a trained recovery leader on various health concerns within our industry. Or consider utilizing Baltimore-based Amie Ward (aka The Healthtender), a 25-year veteran of the bar who also happens to hold a degree in kinesiology. Her industry classes range from movement and pain management to meal planning and destigmatizing mental health.

While you may not have access in your area to these specific programs, think about what kinds of similar programs exist in your community. Bring in a yoga instructor once a month to lead staff in stretching and meditation. Bring a local podiatrist in to teach good foot-care and recommendations on work footwear. Serve a healthy staff meal before dinner service so your crew can fuel up properly before a big shift instead of running on empty and fallen fries.

Allow Guests to Appreciate

A big reason your regulars keep coming back is because of your amazing staff. Think of ways guests can join in the appreciation. Reviews — especially on Google — are key to getting more new feet through your door. Leading up to Labor Day, ask your guests via social media or when presenting the check, to leave a review of why a staff member is their favorite. The best review wins the guest — and the celebrated employee! — a gift card.

Or run contests that create more of an interactive experience. Have your bartenders each create a signature drink and offer a mini flight, for example. Then have patrons vote for their favorite in the month ahead. Similarly, offer a specialty small bites menu created by kitchen staff where patrons can vote. The winning creative staff member gets their item featured on the permanent menu and maybe some extra days of paid vacation!

This Labor Day, really examine how you can care for your staff in a meaningful way. Look out for their health, well-being, and their families, and you will retain good employees and keep them healthy and hardworking.

¹Fantozzi, Joanna. 2024. “Childcare is the complex issue the restaurant industry should face.” Nation's Restaurant News. https://www.nrn.com/workforce/childcare-complex-issue-restaurant-industry-not-talking-about-enough.