The discussion led and organised by the IoH with Planday included formidable UK government, hospitality industry operators and representatives: Robert Richardson FIH, Chief Executive, Institute of Hospitality, Martin Traynor OBE FIH, Small Business Crown Representative, UK Government’s Cabinet Office, Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL FIH, Chef Patron, Café Spice, Pervin Todiwala FIH, Patron & Restaurant Manager, at Café Spice, Peter Avis FIH, General Manager, Galvin at Windows & Co-Chair of the IoH’s Supervisory Board, Donna Torres, Vice President UK & I, Planday, Tania Murray, Senior Marketing Manager, Planday, Abigail Clark BA AIH, Restaurant Manager Brown’s Hotel and IoH Restaurant Manager of the Year Winner 2022, Andy Lowe MIH, Regional Director for South West and Wales, TGI Friday’s UK and Sue Thompson, Director of Business Excellence, Restaurant Associates UK.
Charting a pathway of issues, perceptions, challenges and important solutions, the IoH Planday white paper, clearly identifies that ‘a longstanding obstacle faced by the industry is finding home-grown talent. Not only are young people not thinking of coming into the sector but their teachers, career advisors and parents have such a poor perception of hospitality that they have little encouragement.’
The white paper also confirms that there is ‘not one, positive, cohesive voice that is robustly and ably defending, promoting and highlighting the many opportunities in the hospitality industry.’
Major barrier
Commenting that the ‘perception of the industry as an employer or as a career path is a major barrier. Long hours, poor pay and conditions are still what’s expected from the industry.’
But the reality, as IoH CEO Robert Richardson FIH confirms, is untrue for the most part, as the industry continues to rise to the challenge of staff shortages: “The worsened talent shortage has forced employers not only to pay better wages but also to be more flexible about working hours. Some are offering three or four-day weeks, others provide contracts for ten hours’ work for one person, two hours for another. It may look like they are employing more people but strictly, they are employing more hours.”
The white paper also tackles the issue of UK unemployment. ‘With 3.8% unemployment in the 16 years and over age group (ONS, Feb to Apr 2022) and 8,817 (21.4%) people described as ‘economically inactive’, some of whom are presumably in the groups described above, people with disabilities, autism, for example, could be employed to tackle the job issue. It makes no sense, claims the report. Figures show that only 17% of Autistic individuals are in employment and its know that many have excellent attention to detail and can be adept with numbers.’
As an operator, Peter Avis FIH is at the sharp end of the restaurant business. As General Manager at Galvin’s at Windows, London and co-chair of the IoH Supervisory Board, he was delighted to be involved and fully supports the outcomes in the IoH Planday white paper. “I believe the hospitality industry will always survive as it’s so essential to the UK economy. But the challenges faced by restaurants up and down the UK are very real. Alongside the cost-of-living crisis we all face, businesses need our support. But as with all challenges, there are opportunities. This IoH Planday white paper is a roadmap for what needs to be done right now. So let’s make a difference in the hospitality industry and let’s get it done!”
Make changes
As IoH CEO Robert Richardson FIH explains: “We have challenges in our industry every day. This IoH Planday white paper clearly records the open and frank discussion we had in June among some hard-hitting industry professionals and a UK government representative, and outlines, not only the issues we have right now, but what needs to be done going forward to make changes.
Robert continued: “As an industry, there are some fantastic charities and organisations supporting hospitality industry change, including The Clink, Hospitality Action, the Savoy Education Trust, and Springboard. If we all work together, including UKHospitality, we could educate to help alter industry perceptions that will facilitate long-term change.”
Planday has been a long-standing supporter of the IoH and was delighted to assist the IoH to help to tackle the issues facing the hospitality industry, as Donna Torres, Vice President UK & I at Planday explains: “Hospitality is a fundamental part of our economic and social life and aids our well-being. Our support in helping the IoH drive this important topic forward was a natural extension of our business partnership. It aligns with giving back to the hospitality sector. The more insight and knowledge we can gain from each other, the stronger the hospitality sector can become. Planday is a solutions provider, and we will do all we can to help find industry solutions to these critical issues.
Robert Richardson FIH confirmed: “The round table discussion and white paper was only made possible with the incredible support of Planday. As the IoH is a charity we rely on the passion, commitment, and resources of our partners. and we are extremely grateful.”
Please click the button below to access the IoH Planday white paper.
Download the IoH Planday white paper here
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