Best Practices for Onboarding Temporary Staff

Best Practices for Onboarding Temporary Staff in the F&B Industry

The F&B industry in Singapore is no stranger to high staff turnover and seasonal hiring demands. Whether it’s filling gaps during festive periods or covering last-minute absences, temporary staff are a lifeline for restaurants, cafés, hotels, and catering businesses.

But here’s the challenge: a rushed or poorly structured onboarding process can lead to mistakes, miscommunication, and subpar service, damaging customer satisfaction and team morale.

This article outlines best practices for onboarding temporary F&B staff, ensuring they integrate smoothly into your team and deliver immediate value. We’ll also explore how Anytime Work supports efficient, reliable staffing for Singapore’s ever-demanding F&B landscape.

Why Onboarding Temporary Staff Matters

While permanent hires often undergo thorough training and orientation, part-time and temporary staff are typically brought in for shorter durations, sometimes just a day or two. Yet, their performance can significantly impact service quality, operational flow, and team dynamics.

According to the Ministry of Manpower Labour Market Report Q3 2023, the accommodation and food services sector continues to face high job vacancy rates, leading many employers to rely on flexible hiring arrangements. However, without proper onboarding, this flexibility can turn into a liability.

Effective onboarding is essential to:

• Reduce costly mistakes
• Ensure compliance with safety and hygiene standards
• Improve guest experience
• Increase staff retention—even for short-term roles

7 Best Practices for Onboarding Temporary F&B Staff

1. Prepare Before They Arrive

Start onboarding even before the temporary worker sets foot in your establishment. Share the following details upfront:

• Work schedule and location
• Dress code and required materials (e.g., black shoes, apron)
• Point of contact on arrival
• Basic overview of job responsibilities

This pre-arrival communication sets the tone and reduces confusion on Day 1.

Tip: Platforms like Anytime Work make this easy by allowing you to communicate directly with hired workers via in-app messaging.

2. Assign a “Buddy” for the First Shift

Pairing a temporary hire with a full-time staff member for their first shift provides hands-on guidance and immediate answers to any questions. It also boosts confidence and makes the newcomer feel welcome.

The buddy system helps them quickly adapt to:

• Order-taking or POS systems
• Table numbers or zones
• Safety and hygiene expectations

Pro Tip: Choose a calm, patient team member who exemplifies your service standards.

3. Provide a Quick Orientation

You may not have time for a full induction, but even a 15–30 minute walkthrough before the first shift can prevent common issues.

Cover the basics:

• Layout of the premises
• Where to clock in/out
• Emergency exits and first aid
• Who to approach for help

Having a printed one-pager or QR code linking to a digital handbook can reinforce this information.

4. Clarify Expectations Clearly and Kindly

Temporary workers may have experience elsewhere, but they don’t know how your business operates.

Clearly communicate:

• Service protocols (e.g., greeting customers, clearing tables)
• Portion sizes or plating standards
• Break times and shift-end procedures

Use checklists to ensure consistency in expectations across shifts.

5. Include Them in Briefings and Huddles

Make sure to include your temp staff in pre-shift briefings and team huddles. This ensures they:

• Know the day’s goals and specials
• Understand peak hour strategies
• Feel like a part of the team

This small inclusion can dramatically increase engagement and performance.

6. Monitor and Give Feedback

Even for a single-day hire, take 2–3 minutes at the end of the shift to:

• Offer feedback and appreciation
• Highlight what went well
• Mention areas of improvement if needed

This helps reinforce standards and builds a professional, respectful environment.

Bonus: If you’re using Anytime Work, you can rate the worker’s performance on the platform, which helps them grow and helps future employers make better hiring decisions.

7. Standardise the Onboarding Process

Having a documented onboarding process, even if simplified for temporary workers, makes your operations more efficient. It ensures:

• Consistency across different shifts and teams
• Less reliance on guesswork
• Faster time-to-productivity

What to include in your onboarding template:

• Pre-shift checklist
• Quick orientation script
• Safety and hygiene reminders
• Post-shift feedback form

How Anytime Work Supports Smooth Onboarding

Anytime Work is designed to connect F&B businesses with on-demand, pre-vetted workers. The platform enables you to:

• Review work history and ratings before hiring
• Communicate shift details instantly
• Track attendance and confirm availability
• Rate and review staff for future reference

This significantly reduces the onboarding burden, because you’re already hiring people who are familiar with the industry and committed to quality work.

Hire Fast, Onboard Smart

Temporary workers are essential to keeping Singapore’s F&B industry running smoothly. But hiring them is only half the equation—onboarding is what drives performance.

With a few structured practices and the support of platforms like Anytime Work, you can ensure every temporary hire becomes a reliable part of your team, even if just for one shift.

Ready to Streamline Your Staffing?

Explore Anytime Work to find reliable F&B staff and manage your onboarding process more efficiently—so your team can serve, smile, and succeed with confidence.