Settepani Ristorante & Bakery Multigenerational Workforce Development

Goals & Objectives

Recruit and maintain a multigenerational workforce by:

• Demonstrating a commitment to treating employees as family, embracing their talents, interests and aspirations, and
• Creating a culture of flexibility that nurtures employees across their life course.

Project Highlights

1. Training and Mentoring:
   • Staff of all experience levels and ages continually receive training to keep their skills current, especially when it comes to new technologies.  
   • Cross-training is provided for all incoming staff in order to create strong work teams.
   • Multiple training formats accommodate workers needs and schedules: one-on-one training, hands-on training, shadowing, and classes/seminars.
   • Co-mentorships are established by pairing older and younger employees. For example, a young cook trained an older supervisor, a very experienced head chef, to use the new mandatory online ordering system.
2. Workplace Flexibility:

   Flexible staffing arrangements allow staff to cover for each other as needed and can accommodate time off for family circumstances and/or personal development.  Work redesign accommodates for health issues. 

    Examples:

   • A long-time employee who went on maternity leave was allowed to work from home doing payroll and catering orders. 
   • A porter, around age 70, whose physical limitations bar him from being able to do heavy lifting, is scheduled during non-shipment hours, enabling him to remain in his role. 
   • A server of 13 years, also a musician, remains loyal since the job allows him the flexibility to take substantial time off to go on tour and still enjoy job security when he returns.