Sector backs wellbeing scheme for staff in big numbers

26-Oct-2023 - Last updated on 27-Oct-2023 at 14:06 GMT

Back your staff: some 109 businesses have vowed to support the development of their workers (credit: Getty/andresr)

Pubcos including Greene King, BrewDog and St Austell Brewery are among more than 100 hospitality groups that have pledged to improve training and support for their staff.

In total, more than 10,000 venues are included and are signed up to the Hospitality Wellbeing and Development Promise, which supports the development of the workforce in the industry.

The scheme is driven by the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Board, which is part of the Hospitality Sector Council, and was launched in April this year.

Some 109 leading businesses are on board already, which also includes Brewhouse & Kitchen, Punch Pubs and Oakman Group.

Respectful working environment

Collectively, they have committed to:

• Creating a working environment that facilitates respect between all team members

• Identifying training and development opportunities for team members at all levels

• Implementing a diversity and inclusion policy

• Ensuring team members are well rewarded for their work, considering a wide range of pay and benefits, communicated through a clear pay policy.

Steve Richards, chair of the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Board and CEO of Parkdean Resorts, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many businesses from across hospitality sign up to the promise and commit to this level of training and support for their staff.

“Businesses, both big and small, have come together to show that offering our employees the right support is an absolute priority and that initiatives like this are a key part of that journey.”

Prioritising wellbeing

Richards continued: “I’m delighted the development and launch of the promise has had the backing of Government, through the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Board, and I look forward to working with the Department for Business & Trade to drive it forward.”

Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Kevin Hollinrake said: “Hospitality is at the heart of our economy, so I’m glad to see that the hard-working staff of more than 10,000 venues are now working for companies that are rightly prioritising their wellbeing by signing up to this promise.

“This work was borne out of industry and government working together as part of the Hospitality Sector Council and will be boosted by new laws protecting workers’ hard-earned tips and right to request a flexible working pattern.”

The scheme also has the backing of trade bodies including UKHospitality, the British Institute of Innkeeping and the British Beer & Pub Association.