5 things: Chartwells brings back 97% of laid-off dining staff at Northwestern

Each Friday Food Management compiles a list that highlights five things you probably missed in the onsite foodservice news that week and why you should care about them.

Here’s your list for the week of January 11:

Of the 229 dining workers who were laid off at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, 97% are now being re-hired by contract firm Chartwells Higher Education, a unit of Compass Group. The company cited the return of first- and second-year students to campus and low COVID-19 positivity rates for the decision to return workers to dining halls.

Read more: Compass Group to reinstate 97 percent of laid-off dining workers

A new analysis by the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) found that school districts offering remote instruction exclusively increased from 21.2% to 31.7% between early November and late December. The data was supported a Burbio survey, which found the percentage of the districts it monitors that offer only virtual instruction jumped from 37.2% to 49.5% over the same November-to-December period.

Read more: Districts Retreat to Remote Learning Even as Biden Calls for Reopening Schools

Related:5 coronavirus things: Harvard names new dining director

Prominent West Coast tech firm Dropbox has announced cost-cutting moves that will result in the layoff of 11% of its workforce, primarily office support staff such as dining workers who have become superfluous in the wake of the company’s previously announced decision to permit its employees to work from anywhere permanently. In making the announcement, CEO Drew Houston explained that “our Virtual First policy means we require fewer resources to support our in-office environment, so we’re scaling back that investment.”

Read more: Citing Permanent Shift to Work from Home, Dropbox Cuts 11% of its Workforce

Harvard workers and their supporters held a rally on Jan. 14 in Harvard Yard calling for continued paid leave. Taking place one day before some contracted workers will become ineligible to receive emergency pay if their jobs are suspended due to the COVID pandemic, the event was organized by the local chapter of UNITE HERE, which represents Harvard dining workers, and 32BJ Service Employees International Union, representing custodians and security guards.

Read more: On Eve of Pay Cuts, Unions Urge Harvard to Extend Paid Leave For Contracted Workers

Related:5 coronavirus things: Sodexo’s AI-based POS also tabulates nutritional info

Restaurant Associates placed at No. 66 on the Glassdoor Best Place to Work listing, the only foodservice contract management firm to make the list, though their contracted or self-operated onsite dining programs undoubtedly contributed to some of the other companies and institutions receiving recognition. The Best Places to Work list is compiled using anonymous feedback from employees.

Read more: 2021 Best Places to Work

Bonus: Best Sandwiches Readers’ Choice: 10 totally rad plant-based sandwiches from food service chefs

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]