Turnover is inevitable in nearly any industry, but with many food establishments running with smaller staffs, the loss of any team member can be more than a simple inconvenience. But how should you react if your restaurant or food production facility suddenly loses and must replace your certified food manager?
Replacing a Certified Food Manager
Whether your certified food manager turns in a two-week notice or is forced to leave without notice due to unforeseen circumstances, this loss hurts any food business. Not only are you losing your leader in the kitchen and the manager in charge of food safety training, but you’re also losing the one member on your staff whose position is required by the Minnesota food code.
So, what’s the rule in this situation? If your certified food manager leaves suddenly, can you still operate your business?
You can rest assured that it won’t be necessary to shutter your doors if you lose your certified food manager. The Minnesota food code allows for a 60 day period to find and hire another certified candidate for that position.
Just because you have 60 days to replace your Minnesota certified food manager, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make an effort to replace them right away. Interviewing, reference checks and certification training can take time, so make sure that you begin the hiring or promoting process as soon as you find out your current manager is moving on.
The best strategy for this scenario is to be prepared before it even happens. Your current food safety manager should be identifying and training employees with the potential to become a Minnesota food protection manager. It might even be prudent to have an assistant food safety manager take the certified food protection manager training course and exam. This would not only provide a back-up plan but give you an extra set of eyes keeping your production line free from food safety risks.
Do you have a contingency plan in the event of the loss of any key staff member?
