I find the use of the word “backfilling” by restaurant professionals as a real slight not only the profession of putting one human being into a role that someone else occupied, but the concept of just filling a hole. Backfilling in construction terms means to fill with soil or gravel or any cheap material a hole (usually covering some underground pipes, crap, or uneven spot) back to the exact level it was before. Plant some grass and good as new. Do we really want to fill a job position only to the level it was previously or build on what the person in the role did and in fact, have the new person accomplish even more than just filling to the level of their predecessor.
There is no question that the labor market has never been more challenging post global pandemic. The entire concept of work, of a job, has been tested with “Ghost Quitting” “Work from Home”, “Hybrid work” etc. Recruiting, hiring, and creating job satisfaction has never been more difficult. Paying more, office flexibility, perks, benefits, bonuses is not even enough to meet the needs of a post-pandemic work force to stay in their roles. We have never had more turn-over and needs to hire people than we have today.
Nevertheless, we do need to look at every single position in the company, when someone quits, leaves, is promoted, whatever, as an opportunity to improve for the new incoming role. We can take the little extra time to make sure we learn from the mistakes, update and tweak the job description, adjust the org chart as needed, and see the new roles as an opportunity, not a burden. A chance for the new employee to be even better, to build up on what their predecessor did. We really are “fulfilling” the role. Not only fulfilling what our expectations are for the position, but fulfilling our mission to grow, to develop and push each other to new heights. To exceed our preconceived ideas of what a job can be and making it the most fulfilling position possible on all levels. As we replace the old positions, each replacement is a chance to create a more self-actualized culture and even more exciting and fulfilling place to work.
Let’s stop backfilling; let’s make our jobs all about fulfilling.
Lol maybe treat you managment better and they’d stay