Hospitality Working Hours

nedoo

Might have been done, might be in the wrong place but can anybody answer me this? Why has the hospitality industry remained in the dark ages as regards hours and pay?
I have worked as a manager of hotels for a good few years now. My working hours are so illegal its not funny and the pay, compaired to other people that are in mgt. for the same length in another industry, is less than half!
Don't get me wrong, I actually really like my job but I am starting to look for another industry to work in beacuse the hours are taking their toll on me physically and personally. I once stood up for myself in a huge Irish hotel chain and got pushed out as a result!
Thats my little bitch, thanks for listening! :mad:

alleepally

Is there a national union for hospitality workers? Is the union doing anything to address the issue? I'm no fan of unions but as this is an industry wide problem it needs to be tackled by a union.

Is it just Ireland or have you checked out what pay and conditions are like in the UK?

Is there an over supply of qualified managers in the industry with the result that hotel owners can get away with paying less?

It is soul destroying for someone like yourself to love what you do but not be compensated properly for the hours you work and the responsibility you take on.

I would say don't allow your work drag you down, especially if it's affecting your out of work life or health.

Your skills in hotel management are easily transferable to a management position in any other industry. All it takes is a deep breath and take the plunge!

nedoo

SIPTU cover workers but most management positions require you to not join them. You quite simply wouldn't get the job if you did.
Its not that there is a huge amount of people intersted in this career. Hotels come good in times of economic downturn as all the native workers then look to service industry when the factories etc start to close. When the going is good hotels have to (and in my opinion benifit from) the foregin nationals. However this results in lower pay, bad working conditions etc. etc.
Because of the years of treating people like crap the industry is painted with a very ****ty brush and rightly so.
I am looking to other industries but it is a shame as making someones holiday memorable or being there when people need you is good for the soul.
My only regret is that from day one I never kept a personal log of what I have seen and done. Would make a couple of great books at this stage.

alleepally

nedoo wrote:

My only regret is that from day one I never kept a personal log of what I have seen and done. Would make a couple of great books at this stage.

You could have done the same as the taxi driver guy who had a booked released a while back. he did quite well out of it although I'd say a book about your field would make more interesting reading. There are only so many stories about drunken Dubs in taxis that can be told without getting repetitive.

Good luck with finding a new role for yourself where you can still shine, make a difference AND get treated properly!

nedoo

Thanks