Buzzworks tackle ‘recruitment drought’ with £20k bonus pot

Buzzworks, a group of independent restaurant and bar operators, has released a bonus pot of £20k for staff referrals, in a bid to tackle a “recruitment drought” of almost 50 chef vacancies. 

The group, which operates 12 sites across Scotland, said it will offer monetary bonuses to any customer or staff member who recruits a successful employee who stays with the business for at least three months.

Bonuses range from £200 for a commis chef to £750 for referring a successful head chef candidate. 

In addition, the group said it will double the reward to £1500 for anyone who finds chefs for the team’s newest venue The Bridge Inn Linlithgow. 

Trevor Garden, chef director at Buzzworks, said: “We are challenging the stereotypical negative perception of hospitality careers. We proudly offer benefits to all of our people focused on work life balance including flexible working, four day weeks and paid overtime.

“As an ambitious businesses we’re always striving to develop our menus and cooking techniques providing world-class equipment, fresh produce and offering bespoke training and development. We also have new venues on the horizon but desperately need to match new recruits to our current vacancies across Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and West Lothian in order for us all to thrive.”

He added: “As a people business which values every voice, we are looking to our own people but also our communities to refer motivated and talented individuals – and we’ve released an impressive bonus pot to reward and thank successful referrals.

“Whether you know a college graduate keen for their first step on the ladder, an established chef looking to thrive in a new environment or a novice in the kitchen seeking a complete career change – we’d love to hear from them.”