Reduced Operating Hours for Certain Restaurants Due to Personal Reasons - Eateries Temporarily Shut Down Due to Workforce Deficits
In popular vacation spots across Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, restaurants and bakeries are facing a challenging period due to staff shortages. This labour shortage is not confined to the hospitality sector, but is a broader national issue.
According to data from the State Statistical Office, the number of employees in the hospitality industry decreased by 0.9 percent in 2021 [6]. This shortage is attributed to a critical shortage of skilled workers across various industries, a result of demographic changes and rising demand for workers [2][4].
The president of DEHOGA Schleswig-Holstein, Axel Strehl, has highlighted the decline in lunch business as a consequence of changing lifestyle habits, with guests having breakfast later and skipping the classic lunch [5]. This trend is causing businesses to adjust their opening hours in both Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern [7].
One such establishment is the restaurant "Saimons" in Nieblum on Föhr. Until three weeks ago, the restaurant was only open in the evenings due to staff shortages, and it has been open only three days a week in the winter for the same reason [3]. The operator of "Saimons" spoke to dpa about the staff shortages, explaining that staff for longer opening hours was not available [8].
To combat the staff shortage, some establishments are adapting their operations. For instance, a self-service branch of a bakery was opened in Westerland, where customers pay without cash or a cashier [1]. In some coastal towns, restaurants have stopped serving lunch due to staff shortages [7].
The city of Schwerin in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is one of the locations where establishments have reportedly adjusted their opening hours due to staff shortages [9]. Some establishments in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are also facing the same challenges, with some temporarily closing branches due to a lack of staff [10].
DEHOGA considers the lack of staff to be an ongoing issue and problem, with guests more likely to skip lunch due to staff shortages [8]. The association is advocating for improvements in recruitment strategies, emphasizing the need to focus on workplace culture and modern communication methods to engage candidates [4].
Efforts to attract and retain staff are further complicated by economic pressures such as rising labour costs and regulatory burdens in Germany [3]. These factors contribute to the difficulty businesses face in hiring staff and maintaining competitive operating hours.
In conclusion, the staffing challenges in restaurants and bakeries in Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's tourist regions reflect a nationwide skilled labor shortage compounded by migration and policy factors, forcing many establishments to reduce their opening hours [1][2][4]. The industry is hopeful that by addressing these issues, they can attract and retain the skilled workers needed to meet the demands of the tourism sector.
- Given thedeclining lunch business due to changing lifestyle habits [5], it seems that there might be a need for community aid to support research and development of alternative food-and-drink solutions for passengers planning their meals during the day.
- In an effort to cope with the ongoing staff shortage [8], some establishments are adapting their operations, which could possibly lead to innovations in the home-and-garden sector, such as smart technology solutions to aid in efficiency and cost reduction within the hospitality industry.
