40% of hospitality workers feel guilty about working over Christmas

12-Oct-2018 - Last updated on 12-Oct-2018 at 09:06 GMT

Coming together: some 45.5% of hospitality workers felt a sense of community with colleagues working on Christmas or Boxing Day

More than one third (40%) of those working in pubs, restaurants and hotels admitted to feeling guilty about not spending the festive period with their families, according to new research.

A survey of 750 respondents, conducted by 3GEM on behalf of Bidfood also found that 93.4% of hospitality workers accepted they will need to work on Christmas and Boxing Day and almost half (45.5%) of them felt a sense of community with colleagues working on Christmas or Boxing Day.

To reward those who work over the festive period, Bidfood is bringing back its Christmas Gift campaign for another year.

The campaign aims to recognise those who sacrifice spending Christmas with their families to help make the holiday season special for others.

Extra mile

Bidfood is calling for the trade to nominate individuals in their outlets who are either working Christmas Day or Boxing Day this year (and/or worked last year), that go that extra mile to make the festive period special for others.

Four winners will be revealed on Monday 3 December and will each receive Christmas dinner with all the trimmings from Bidfood in January as well as a surprise gift.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of leading figures from across the industry including UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls and chief executive of Hospitality Action Mark Lewis.

Standout individuals

Bidfood group sales and marketing director Andy Kemp said: “Following the overwhelming success of last year, we are delighted to announce the return of Bidfood’s Christmas Gift campaign.

“The sheer volume of heart-warming stories we received last year is testament to the hard work and importance the hospitality sector has on all of us.

“With thousands giving up family time in the lead up to, and often on Christmas Day itself. We want to hear about some of the standout individuals in our industry and thank them for their contribution.”

Entries are open from Monday 15 October to midnight on Monday 12 November and can be made online at www.bidfood.co.uk/bidfood-christmas-gift.