Question

Describe some human resources required for a Chinese food truck: Number and description of personnel needed, including realistic required education and skills.

Answer 1

Human resources is arguably one of the most complicated aspects of running a food truck business. Human resources is fraught with laws and regulations. This is probably one of the reason why many food truck vendors often put off dealing with it.

A chain of Chinese food trucks operating in around 4-5 locations in a major urban city would require a little fewer than 50 employees. Some basic things that needs to be implemented to cover all bases would be as follows:

-       Three specific files for each employee in the food truck business should be very well maintained and kept:

o   I-9: Federal law binds all employers to verify an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States. It is mandated to complete the I-9 verification within three days of hire.

o   Employee records: Apart from the basic requirements of its capability in culinary activities and hygiene maintenance in the limited space of a food truck, it is important for the employer to maintain a comprehensive set of files of all the employees involved. These are some of the key things that a food truck owner can do to limit his liability as a small business owner. This helps to keep the records organized, which reduces workers comp claims, lawsuits and even reduces the insurance premiums. The documents would include resumes, reviews, references, training certificate, any disciplinary action, basic education, evaluations, W-4 forms and the payroll details.

o   Medical Records of the employees – Notes from doctors or any disability information or any medical information must be maintained with the employer. This should be separate from the regular general files.