Staffing issues continue to set back hospitality’s recovery from COVID-19, according to new research from CGA and Fourth’s Business Leaders’ Survey. 

Nearly four out of five hospitality leaders have offered higher wages to try to retain staff, increasing pay by an average of 11%, although only half (52%) of leaders feel confident about recruitment and retention over the next 12 months.

With the industry facing a severe labour shortage, other actions leaders have taken to try to improve staff retention include improving communication with employees, creating more learning opportunities and focussing on staff well-being and mental health.The poll of sector leaders shows intense competition for team members. Three in five (59%) say they will recruit at a greater rate than usual this year, a jump of 13 percentage points since the last confidence survey in December.

However, nearly one in 10 (9%) roles remain vacant and open for applications—though this marks a drop from the figure of 14% in late 2021. Only half (52%) of leaders say they feel confident about their recruitment and retention in the next 12 months.

Staff shortages are leading business leaders to sharpen their HR strategies in a variety of ways. Nearly four in five (77%) say they have offered better pay to try to retain staff, increasing their levels by an average of 11%. High numbers are meanwhile stepping up levels of communication with staff (85%), creating more learning opportunities (82%) and focusing on staff wellbeing and mental health (72%).

The Business Leaders’ Survey also highlights the impact of increases in the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage from April. Two thirds (67%) of leaders say this is a key challenge in 2022.

CGA and Fourth are both Peach 20/20 partner companies

For full story visit https://cgastrategy.com/recruitment-and-retention-challenges-remain-major-concern-for-hospitality-leaders/