Friendly's has launched to reduce employee injuries, however. Slip-resistant shoes aren't the whole answer. Friendly's has also established a safety-incentive program that involves the employees. To receive the certificate, the restaurant must have had no chargeable accidents in which a bill was incurred, completed a safety inspection, and submitted safety-meeting documentation that includes minutes and signatures. Awards have included pizza parties, raffles and movie tickets.
Safety just makes good business sense.
Nancy Smith believes that if managers are concerned about their guests, they should be equally concerned about their employees and the safety of the work environment. Long John Silver's safety program has focused on the role of proper footwear, vigilant housekeeping and equipment maintenance in preventing injuries. For fiscal year 1997, Smith says the company will be implementing a more coordinated safety program that will directly attack areas she feels need special attention, such as back strains. Each quarter will focus on preventing a different type of injury by providing equipment and training. The goal should be to establish standards that allow a restaurant to make the kitchen as safe as possible and make the managers of those units accountable.