HospoCred the industry programme to highlight those going above and beyond

Driven by member calls for a platform for the hospitality industry that helps recognise those going above and beyond in their employment and business practices, the Restaurant Association has developed a voluntary employer accreditation programme, HospoCred. Development of the programme has been guided by industry input and is part of our Future of Hospitality Roadmap.

Those that achieve HospoCred-itation will have displayed a commitment to best practice, increasing their impact and ultimately committed to the ongoing development of themselves, their business and their team.

To achieve accreditation criteria, the business will have displayed how their employment practices meet and exceed standards, but it’s not just an employment accreditation. The criteria will also assess business compliance, as well as the workplace policies and procedures in practice that support employment relationships and provide guidance for the business. Accredited businesses will have policies and procedures that promote an efficient, productive and harmonious workplace culture and show an existing and ongoing commitment to training.

As part of the application process, the business must supply a range of records and documents, policy documents and evidence of training (the commitment to existing and ongoing training and development is key). The Restaurant Association will also complete interviews with the owner/manager of the business and some of the workplace’s employees as an additional measure to verify the information submitted. Support and guidance are provided throughout the application process – from an initial pre-application check-in through to access to RA advisors. Access to resources and templates is also there to assist with implementing business policies not yet in place. And if a business does not initially achieve the HospoCred standard after completing their application, we’ll let them know what needs to be addressed and help them with recommendations to put in place. The programme is aspirational as it also acts as a benchmark for other businesses to work towards and over time and with support, we hope to help more and more meet the standard.

Our goal is for this to become a highly recognisable mark that HospoCred-ited members can utilise in your
business marketing, in your recruitment processes,in your interactions with government and other stakeholders, e.g., through immigration processing, sale and supply of alcohol applications

A package of assets and tools will also be provided to help to promote their achievement, including assets for social channels and websites, and window decals. Ultimately as more and more HospoCred businesses come on board, recognition will be provided on a website identifying all businesses that have met the HospoCred criteria.

In this current climate, more and more members are discussing with us what they are doing and can do more of to attract and retain staff. Recent research conducted by the Association highlighted some of the things members are working hard on to develop employees’ skills in different ways, with 86 per cent using in-house training, 45 per cent utilising external professional development and training and 63 per cent offering mentoring and coaching. Most members (78 per cent) are providing free meals and almost a third are providing bonuses.

HospoCred accreditation provides the potential to enhance the industry’s professionalism, and ease pressure on our labour market and recruitment process as the industry is increasingly recognised for our opportunities and career progression. increase our operational efficiencies, reduce costs and ultimately lead to better service for our guests.

Interested in finding out more about HospoCred?

Go to www.restaurantnz.co.nz/hospocred, or contact us on 0800 737 827, or, [email protected] and we can talk you through the advantages of coming on board the programme.