Top 6 HR Challenges for Breweries: What You Need to Know to Stay Competitive and Compliant

Whether you run a small taproom or a growing regional brewery, managing employees effectively is critical. From seasonal hiring to workplace safety, brewery owners and managers face unique HR challenges.

Here’s a look at six key HR issues and how to address them.

1. Recruiting and Retaining Skilled Talent

Finding skilled brewers, taproom staff, and production workers can be tough, especially with seasonal roles adding complexity.

Solutions:

• Offer competitive pay and benefits, even for part-time workers
• Build a strong employer brand by highlighting culture, sustainability, and community involvement
• Develop internal talent through training programs and apprenticeships

2. Compliance with Wage and Hour Laws

Brewery jobs often involve irregular hours, overtime, and tipped positions. Noncompliance can lead to costly penalties.

Watch for:

• Correct classification: exempt/non-exempt, full-/part-time, employee/contractor
• Proper tracking of hours, breaks, and overtime pay
• Tip laws: Ensure compliance with federal and state minimum wage regulations for tipped workers, including proper use of the tip credit and valid tip pooling arrangements.

3. Managing Workplace Safety and Workers’ Compensation

Brewery work comes with safety risks—OSHA compliance is essential, especially in production areas.

Tips:

• Regularly update safety policies
• Maintain incident logs and reporting procedures
• Conduct and document employee safety training
• Ensure PPE is accessible and properly used
• Stay current on workers’ compensation compliance

4. Creating and Updating Employee Handbooks

A clear, updated handbook sets expectations, outlines benefits, and protects your business legally.

Include:

• Workplace policies: attendance, conduct, non-discrimination, anti-harassment
• Benefits and leave information
• Industry-specific sections, like consuming alcohol in the workplace, alcohol service policies, and safety requirements.

5. Paid Leave Compliance

Breweries must navigate federal, state, and local leave laws. New York’s employee leave laws include paid sick leave and paid family leave.

Action steps:

• Stay current on laws in each operating state
• Track and manage employee leave accurately
• Train managers to handle leave requests properly and confidentially

6. HR Documentation and Recordkeeping

Breweries must maintain employee records like I-9 forms, performance reviews, and injury reports.

Best practices:

• Store files securely and follow document retention laws
• Use digital HR systems to streamline recordkeeping
• Periodically audit records for accuracy and completeness
• Ensure Form I-9 compliance for all employees.  Mistakes or missing forms can lead to audits and fines, especially in industries under closer immigration enforcement scrutiny.

Final Thoughts
Clear policies, proactive training, and ongoing compliance build a strong workplace and support your brewery’s growth.

Need help with HR management? GTM Payroll & HR, the official HR partner of the NYSBA, can help. Contact them to get started.