Wage Forecasting and Scheduling

Wage Forecasting Fundamentals

Managing and controlling wage costs are the biggest responsibility of hospitality managers in maintaining productivities and profit margins. The reasons for this are as follows:

1. Wages are the largest expense of each revenue department in hospitality operations. The only exception is retail, where cost of goods sold is generally higher. Total wage costs in a full-service hotel will be in the 30% to 35% range.

2. Hourly wages are variable, and therefore hourly wage schedules can be prepared and adjusted based on the volume levels of current revenue forecasts.

3. Each wage dollar produces an associated benefit cost, generally in the 25% to 40% range. Controlling wage expenses also results in controlling benefit expenses.

Managers in revenue departments spend a great deal of time reviewing revenue forecasts and then preparing wage schedules that appropriately reflect volume levels. This is the primary way that labor productivities and profit margins are maintained.

Labor Standards, Forecasting, and Ratios

Many ratios and forecasts can be used in preparing wage schedules that maintain expected productivities. The primary methods used in a hotel relate to the rooms department and food and beverage departments.

The Rooms Department

Housekeeper labor hours based on rooms cleaned per eight-hour shift, or numbers of housekeeper room credits per shift. Front desk clerk labor hours based on check-ins per eight-hour shift. Front desk cashier labor hours based on check-outs per eight-hour shift.

Restaurant Departments

Server labor hours based on number of tables per shift or number of...