Navigating Amid Uncertainty: Insights into Restaurant Managers' Job Satisfaction and Experiences during COVID-19
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48017/dj.v10iSpecial_3.3599Keywords:
Well-being, health crisis, Challenges, Work PerformanceAbstract
There were many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for the tourism and hospitality sectors. The situation of displaced workers has been witnessed on a global scale. On-site dining services were replaced by digital orders through food delivery apps; this accelerated changes in consumer behavior that resulted in workforce reductions; the results can have significant consequences for job satisfaction and experiences of restaurant managers. This study uses a sequential mixed-methods approach that analyzes the job satisfaction and experiences of restaurant managers during the first wave and lockdown (early to mid-2020) until the development and deployment of the vaccine (late 2020 – 2021) of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was revealed that restaurant managers were moderately satisfied with their jobs during the stages and that the qualitative components revealed the following themes: (1) Overburdened, (2) Unattractive working conditions, (3) Tendency towards depressive feelings, and (4) Lucky to have a job. Further studies could be considered using different parameters that can be applied to gain insights into the various challenges faced by restaurant managers in today's evolving market and to prepare businesses during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This research could provide valuable insights for developing intervention strategies for both businesses and local governments that can improve employee well-being even in times of calamity.
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