The employment crisis in the hospitality sector.

political analyst · 20-05-2022 12:18PM #1

According to the following article, which was published last Saturday (14 May), around 40,000 workers left the hospitality sector because of the pandemic.

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/staff-shortages-in-hospitality-to-only-get-worse-over-summer-months-1304482.html

Obviously, many people who were out of work due to Covid restrictions got jobs in other workplaces. However, the numbers of people unemployed are bound to be still high because of the damage that has been suffered by the economy. So why are restaurants and other hospitality businesses still finding it difficult to recruit people? Even allowing for the 'benefits trap', many unemployed people would still seek work not just because of money but also because of self-respect.

Fattybojangles · 20-05-2022 12:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058246660/the-employment-crisis-in-the-hospitality-sector

The answer is very simple the hours are long and the wages are sh!te and on top of that you have to allow people to treat you like sh!t.

Dyr · 20-05-2022 12:24PM

Because the people who left realised they could get better wages for working conditions and hours that arent absolute ****

The hopitality sector can go **** itself, basically.

Not to worry though, the Irish government will find people to hand out visas to in return for **** wages

political analyst · 20-05-2022 12:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089457#Comment_119089457

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089460#Comment_119089460

But, even after those people who left found work elsewhere, there would still be many unemployed people who would still rather take jobs in hospitality anyway because of self-respect as well as money, wouldn't there?

20-05-2022 12:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089468#Comment_119089468

It's quite difficult to develop/maintain a sense of self respect in jobs where you are treated poorly, if not worse.

Anyway, not to worry, foreign students can be subject to all that sort of thing

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2022/0516/1298377-students-visas/

hayse · 20-05-2022 12:34PM

The Green Party are to blame. They have the country ruined.

political analyst · 20-05-2022 12:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089495#Comment_119089495

But the threat of being taken to an employment tribunal acts as a deterrent to any hospitality employer that might consider cutting corners, doesn't it?

20-05-2022 12:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089511#Comment_119089511

In a word, no.

Deeec · 20-05-2022 12:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089511#Comment_119089511

Corners are cut by every employer in hospitality and there is nothing employees can do. Minimum rates of pay, working hours mean nothing in the hospitality industry. Its pay them as little as possible, make them work past the time they are meant to be finished for free, never give them weekends off, dont allow employees take their full holidays because you are short staffed, dont process them on a payroll ( but dont tell them this) is all the norm.

Dempo1 · 20-05-2022 12:42PM

This is not the first time the sector faced a crisis , Droves left it, during the celtic tiger. The industry actively encouraged a work permit program, Basically became dependent on cheap labour, Standards dropped , wages dropped and working conditions appalling.

The industry are pushing again for work permits but this time around there's no where to put these people up.

I had a 30 year career in the sector, there's few Training and even less bothered. I'd not return to it for any amount of money.

The Pandemic exposed the ugly side of the Industry, few employers availed of wage subsidies, instead laid off staff and told them to go and claim PUP, Basically **** off, those employees rightly said , feck that , we're out of here. Then when the sector reopened the very same employers blamed PUP on their woes when infact people had left the sector and many left Ireland and for good.

Even if they could be persuaded to come back, we're are they going to live and besides , Rents now way out of reach.

The Industry has its self to blame entirely.

political analyst · 20-05-2022 01:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089520#Comment_119089520

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089543#Comment_119089543

So why are employees not willing to take those employers to a tribunal? Why does employment law not have an impact on working conditions in hospitality?

Brucie Bonus · 20-05-2022 01:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089511#Comment_119089511

The standard is traditionally low. I can't see someone washing pots part time taking a case to any employment tribunal.

As above, the pandemic gave such workers a chance to catch a breath and reassess. There are adults who have little option but to work in hospitality. However we shouldn't be allowing young adults be treated poorly in such jobs either, because they likely will only be doing them for a few years.

In the states the chains are offering educational perks and better health. Tells me the money is sometimes there when their arm is twisted.

Deeec · 20-05-2022 01:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089716#Comment_119089716

The law just seems to show a blind eye to this industry. I do know a few people who sought legal advice and were told not to bother pursuing anything as there will be nothing gained. Its easier just to get out of the industry.

enricoh · 20-05-2022 01:20PM

Anyone on a minimum wage job nowadays is probably better off on welfare. That's without throwing in a nixer, child minding etc.

Saw an article today that only for nordie construction workers the sector would be screwed. The dole up north is a fraction of down here so you've no option but to work. Down here it's an optional extra!

The sector doesn't help itself with split shifts, etc.

Fandymo · 20-05-2022 01:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058246660/the-employment-crisis-in-the-hospitality-sector

Now would be the perfect time to start reducing JSA etc as there are plenty of jobs out there for people who want them. If you don't want to work, tough.

CrookedJack · 20-05-2022 01:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119090012#Comment_119090012

Yeah the perfect time to start squeezing the vulnerable is in the middle of a massive inflation crises, with war in Europe, fuel supply crises, housing crises and a global economy steering towards recession.

Perfect timing if you're a victorian millowner, bit of a stupid idea if you've any consideration for other humans.

Wanderer78 · 20-05-2022 02:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058246660/the-employment-crisis-in-the-hospitality-sector

funnily enough, those that have decided to not return to this industry are actually showing a lot of self respect, deciding enough is enough in regards sh1te pay and conditions, and opting for a better life elsewhere, we should be applauding them for doing so. i wish them the best

Dempo1 · 20-05-2022 02:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089752#Comment_119089752

It absolutely does , Hospitality employers use every trick in the book , split shifts , 12 hour days that can go to 16, Zero hours contracts, hoarding Tips, vague job descriptions the list is endless.

Horrible industry to work in and I'm not at all surprised it's struggling to get staff .

Brucie Bonus · 20-05-2022 02:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089852#Comment_119089852

Its not about the option. You can't sign on because you like the rates. You've no option but to work unless you meet the criteria for being on welfare.

breezy1985 · 20-05-2022 02:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089468#Comment_119089468

Who are these "many unemployed people" what are the current figures.

Maybe I'm very lucky but I don't know anyone who was made unemployed by the pandemic.

StupidLikeAFox · 20-05-2022 02:20PM

I see hotels near me are now offering 4 day weeks, complimentary gym memberships and pensions to attract employees - it can only be a good thing if the industry realises that they can attract people as long as they offer the right conditions.

Ginger83 · 20-05-2022 02:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119090248#Comment_119090248

Quite a few pubs did not reopen.

Wanderer78 · 20-05-2022 02:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119090294#Comment_119090294

true, but unemployment is back down to about 5%, so.....

Ginger83 · 20-05-2022 02:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119090299#Comment_119090299

Another poster said they didn't know anyone who lost a job due to Covid. Quite a few pubs did not reopen resulting in job losses. Some may have found other employment.

Fandymo · 20-05-2022 02:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119090171#Comment_119090171

In what way, shape or form is getting someone out working squeezing them, and what makes someone on the dole vulnerable?? Stop infantilizing adults. No wonder we have such a nanny state with the above attitude.

Wanderer78 · 20-05-2022 02:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119090415#Comment_119090415

yup, this is very true, but our unemployment figures have fallen a lot since the beginning of covid, so....

20-05-2022 02:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089543#Comment_119089543

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089545#Comment_119089545

Anyone I know who worked in hospitality, even when they more or less enjoyed it (culchie pub types) had ridiculous stories. Split shifts so it takes 10 hours to get paid for 7, **** around with the roster so that no-one (well, no-one who mattered) knew when they'd be working for the week til Sunday evening (Saturday occasionally), bullshit and shenanigans with tips etc. Knew a few who only much later (trying to use PRSI previously paid usually) found out they were never through the books. There's a popular restaurant in North Louth which shut down owing, somehow, thousands to suppliers (over €10k to milk supplier e.g.), left animals without food or water for days and when the staff went to sign on they found out they had no record of work. Same place re-opened with the same owners and the locals all went straight back to licking their holes so there really is an element of people bringing it on themselves.

It's easy saying it but people not standing up for themselves ends up like this. Too many people are told to be grateful they have a job. Well guess what, more of them are realising they can get more than a tenner an hour and not have to put up with some arsehole manager or customers slobbering all over them.

political analyst · 20-05-2022 02:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119090200#Comment_119090200

But there are not enough jobs in other sectors in this country for all people who worked in hospitality before the first lockdown, are there? Furthermore, even without Covid travel restrictions, emigration is not an option for all unemployed people who can't find work.

Dempo1 · 20-05-2022 03:01PM

Perhaps some may not understand how difficult it is to work in a hospitality environment and its not simply a case of an unemployed person walking in and getting a job and off they go.

Fair enough, some Roles don't require training but most do. It's a fast paced industry and not suited to everyone.

I recall when hospitality re opened there was countless complaints about appalling or lack of service, essentially caused by untrained and disinterested staff.

I started as a Chef, went into senior Management, have worked in 15 countries and had my own Restaurant and I can confidently say the Irish Hospitality industry is the worst I've worked in.

Wanderer78 · 20-05-2022 03:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119090469#Comment_119090469

once again, unemployment is more or less back to pre covid figures. yes emigration isnt an option for many, but maybe they dont want to emigrate, and just maybe theyre happier being unemployed....

Dempo1 · 20-05-2022 03:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119090460#Comment_119090460

You are sadly correct and non payment of wages was a serious problem.

I don't mind telling you, it was so bad after the Crash, I actually did credit checks on potential Employers before even attending interviews.

The sector hit rock bottom during the celtic tiger era, Clueless developers building poorly designed hotels, Hiring Family to run them who had zero experience. Absolute disaster and many eventually taken over by NAMA, I actually spent time going into this places trying to restructure, Get money for staff and suppliers, there was many horrendous messes created and it was staff that always suffered.

The employment crisis in the hospitality sector.

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