Could sign-on bonuses bring hospitality workers back to the industry?
Sign-on bonuses of up to $1000 are being offered to hospitality workers in a bid to secure staff, as restaurants and bars face a labour shortage.
This sign-up offer is being made by Australian Venue Co., in an effort to attract skilled workers.
The Australian Venue Co. is a world class hospitality group that provides food, drink and entertainment experiences and operates in excess of 150 bars around Australia.
"There’s only a couple fish swimming around in what is a pretty big pond at the minute," general manager of human resources Rachel Checinski said of the labour shortage.
"It was an easy decision because we could lose a lot more by not doing it. It’s a small price to pay for actually being able to open and have the revenue."
Ms Checinski said before the pandemic, around a quarter of staff were visa holders.
This is problematic, as the absence of JobKeeper for these workers, (and to keep them in the country) has meant the company has paid more than 60 workers out of its own pocket in anticipation of reopening.
According to a nationwide survey of members from the Restaurant and Catering Industry Association, chefs were the most difficult positions to fill this year.
Irit Jackson, 14th December 2020
