November 29, 2022 Submitted by Linden Ponds
Over the last year, according to the USDA’s Economic Research Service, the foodservice industry has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Accompanying this growth is the meteoric rise of dining service employment opportunities. At Linden Ponds, an Erickson Senior Living community in Hingham, Ma., dining service employees enjoy comprehensive total rewards extending far beyond an average benefit plan. In addition to multiple health care plans and choices, employees enjoy a full range of services enabling them to build their careers, enjoy a healthy work-life balance, and plan for their future financial security.
“There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of the dining services team,” says director of dining services Tomas “Omar” Gonzalez. “The rewarding work, diverse training opportunities and other benefits that are inherent with our dining services positions provide an ideal pathway for a successful and rewarding career.”
Witnessing this numerous benefits firsthand, Herman Branco began his Linden Ponds career as an executive chef. Since that time, he’s been promoted to general manager and now serves as the community’s assistant director of dining.
“I believe my tenure in the industry has led me to where I am today, and Linden Ponds presented an opportunity to continue my path forward,” says Herman. “I trust that my work ethic; connection to the Linden Ponds residents and my team; and proven results, all contribute to this progress.”
For Herman, serving community members on a daily basis, provides numerous benefits that a traditional dining service career outside of Erickson Senior Living does not offer.
“What I love most about my job, is hearing from the residents and staff, their appreciation of my contributions to their day, and especially my support for them,” he says. “To me it means more than the amount of hours I work per day, any accolades or recognition from leadership. We’re always taught to thank our teams and the folks who work for us, but there’s an emotional connection and sense of worth that you get when a team member thanks me for my help.”
In addition to this relationship building, another big advantage of a dining services career at Linden Ponds are the flexible work hours and emphasis of work-life balance, something often unseen in the dining services industry.
“Linden Ponds offers dining service employees a work-life balance element that other restaurants cannot offer,” says Gonzalez. “Typical food service industry hours extend much later into the day. However, the majority of our shifts end by 8:00 p.m., allowing our culinary team professionals to equally prioritize the demands of their careers with their personal lives.”
Additionally, one reasons Linden Ponds is considered a top workplace is by providing its employees with a work environment that encourages professional growth through incredible benefits and education support. This positive work culture has resulted in numerous dining services team members being promoted over the years into new and exciting roles.
Linden Ponds’ Dining Services employees enjoy unique opportunities to gain valuable life skills and career experiences, while also encouraging toward long-term success. For culinary professionals looking to grow their careers and stand out as a leader, Erickson Senior Living offers free, comprehensive online training through the Rouxbe Online Culinary School. In addition, dining services team members can earn the skills and industry certifications to build a lifelong dining services career is by continuing their education with Erickson University’s School of Culinary Arts.
“Competitors cannot come close to offering these wonderful benefits,” says Gonzalez. “These incentives provide a great way to enhance pay for performance and offer a tangible benefit other companies do not offer.”
Interested in checking out Linden Ponds’ exciting opportunities in Dining Services or other career paths? Please visit the careers website!