Labour shortages and employee burnout are continuing to plague the hospitality sector. A survey from Axonify has found more than half (53 per cent) of UK managers working in hospitality say their company and staff are suffering. The data comes following reports last year that 12.6 premises such as restaurants and shops closed per day in the UK.
The impact that Brexit has on this, however, remains divided amongst managers, with 36 per cent attributing hiring difficulties to its long-term effects, 39 per cent disagreeing, and 25 per cent uncertain.
Employee morale is also suffering, with almost half of managers acknowledging the negative impact of staff shortages. Primary consequences of these shortages are cited as increased workloads (73 per cent) and higher employee turnover (60 per cent). Customer experience is reported to be deteriorating as a result, with half of respondents noting longer waiting times and a concerning 41 per cent observing a decline in the quality of service.
Burnout now lies at the crux of the issue, with half of hospitality managers experiencing it as a result of long working hours (69 per cent), high stress levels (68 per cent), and understaffing (64 per cent). But despite this, more than two thirds (68 per cent) of managers working in hospitality believe that their company’s current training programmes help employees stay engaged and motivated.
Steps are also being taken to address the concerns such as introducing flexible working hours (58 per cent), increases in wage (52 per cent), and recruitment (43 per cent). Moreover, the majority of UK companies offer workers training around mental health and well-being, comparing favourably to US counterparts (57 per cent vs 46 per cent).
Optimistically, a significant portion believe that the change in government and new Labour administration can alleviate current labour shortages. Overall, more than two-thirds of managers are positive about the future of the hospitality industry in terms of workforce satisfaction and stability.
“It is no secret that the hospitality industry is feeling the effects of staff shortages,” said Carol Leaman, CEO and Co-Founder at Axonify. “With ongoing labour shortages and employee burnout reaching exceedingly high levels, change is required to safeguard the future of the sector.
“Despite these challenges, managers are optimistic, demonstrating the resilience of the UK hospitality sector. Effective training programs and strategic initiatives will foster a motivated and engaged workforce, paving the way for a brighter future in the industry.”
