Working at Christmas - a curse or a blessing?
When the restaurant becomes a Christmas home
For years, we have been observing an interesting change in the way people celebrate Christmas. Very different groups of guests have found their Christmas home with us. On the one hand, there are older couples who want to spend Christmas Eve together in a convivial atmosphere. With us, they not only find a festive meal, but also the warm, inviting atmosphere that defines Christmas. The second group are large families who are reinterpreting a long-standing tradition: It used to be customary for all the relatives - aunts, uncles, cousins - to get together at one of the families' homes for Christmas. This meant an enormous amount of preparation, cooking and tidying up for the host family. Today, many of these families move their gatherings to our restaurant. This way, all family members can really enjoy their time together without one family having to carry the entire burden of organizing the event.The price of festive joy
But there is another side to this wonderful tradition: in order for our guests to be able to celebrate, our staff have to work on public holidays. An issue that must be viewed critically. While others sit under the Christmas tree with their families, our employees serve festive menus and ensure a contemplative atmosphere.Winter break instead of Christmas vacation: A new approach
However, we have taken a slightly different approach at the Löwen: Our staff receive a generous amount of time off in January and February to compensate for their work during the festive period - a whole eight weeks of paid vacation. This arrangement allows our employees to spend quality time with their loved ones once the festive rush is over and travel prices are affordable again. Is this the perfect compromise? Perhaps not. But it is an attempt to take the needs of everyone involved into account in the best possible way. The reality in the restaurant industry is that the demand for festive restaurant experiences at Christmas is steadily increasing. We can't ignore this trend, but we can create fair conditions. The challenge lies in finding a balance between our guests' desire for a carefree festive experience and our employees' need for a fair work-life balance. The eight-week winter break is more than just compensation - it is a sign of appreciation for the special efforts of our team.Tradition meets innovation: the future of festive gastronomy
Perhaps we need to rethink the catering industry in general: away from rigid traditions and towards more flexible models that meet both the changing needs of our society and the justified demands of our employees. The festive season remains a challenge, but with mutual understanding and innovative solutions, we can find a way that works for everyone. One thing is certain: as long as people feel the need to spend the festive season in convivial company and without stress, restaurants will be needed at Christmas. The trick is to organize this in such a way that everyone - guests and staff alike - can experience the joy of Christmas in their own way.More blogs
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