It’s no surprise that podcasts and articles about employee management are the most popular content on Profitable Hospitality. Finding the right people and creating a strong team are a constant challenge for restaurants and cafes of all sizes. Recruiting a new chef, training a manager, or showing a team how to be more efficient – the work never stops.

In this interview Ken Burgin talks with Natasha Hawker of EmployeeMatters. In her work with clients (and in her book From Hire to Fire), she uses a 9-step Employee Life Cycle to explain the recruitment, management and exit stages in every employee’s time with a business. She also emphasises the importance of strong legal foundations – the right policies and compliance measures to reduce risk and protect management. This is a great conversation for business owners, managers and chefs who want to build a strong and productive team.