Hospitality's Recruitment and Retention Under the Microscope
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Hospitality and Tourism has embarked on a vital mission to address the pressing issues of recruitment and retention within the hospitality sector. Despite commendable efforts such as the Wellbeing Promise and the Hoteliers Charter, the industry continues to face significant challenges, including high vacancy rates and turnover figures.
The hospitality sector has long been a cornerstone of the UK economy, providing employment and driving growth. However, recent years have seen unprecedented challenges. Brexit, Covid-19, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis have exacerbated existing issues within the industry. These factors have collectively contributed to a volatile job market, with both recruitment and retention hitting critical lows.
The APPG's inquiries focus on the following topics:
Retention:
The inquiry aims to acknowledge the root causes behind the industry's retention crisis, seeking to identify strategies to foster greater staff loyalty and longevity.
Recruitment:
With over 100,000 vacancies, the inquiry will explore the barriers hindering effective recruitment practices and explore innovative approaches to attract and retain top talent.
Perception of the sector:
Challenging outdated stereotypes, the inquiry seeks to promote hospitality as a vibrant and rewarding industry with diverse career opportunities.
Domestic recruitment:
Balancing the need to nurture local talent with delivering exceptional guest experiences will be a central consideration, ensuring fairness and inclusivity in recruitment practices.
Staff wellbeing:
Recognising the importance of employee wellbeing, the inquiry will evaluate existing initiatives and identify opportunities to prioritise mental health support.
Zero-hour contracts:
The inquiry will scrutinise the prevalence of zero-hour contracts and their impact on recruitment and staff retention, aiming to foster a more equitable and sustainable employment landscape.
Nick Icke, KPI’s head of Hospitality, has said: "The hospitality industry is at a crossroads. The challenges we've faced due to Brexit, Covid-19, and the cost-of-living crisis have fundamentally changed the landscape. This inquiry represents a critical opportunity to reimagine our approach to recruitment and retention".
KPI Recruiting’s approach to tackle these issues is by meticulously evaluating candidates, ensuring a cultural fit for long-term retention, and matching companies' specific needs with candidates' skill sets. Contact our Hospitality BDM, Tony Lewis, at TonyL@kpihospitality.co.uk (07706 328653) for staffing solutions that last. You can follow KPI Hospitality on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
