WiH2020 launches return to work programme
Women in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure 2020 (WiH2020) has launched Comeback to HTL, a return to work programme aimed at reducing the gender pay gap.
In the UK, around 1.8 million women are currently economically inactive because they are caring for their home or family, more than eight times the number of men in that position. Nine out of 10 potential returners to work are women.
While the industry has made positive progress in the past year to address the number of women in senior positions, there is still work to be done to meet the 33% target of female representation across boards and executive committees by 2020, set by the Hampton-Alexander review.
Tea Colaianni, chair of WIH2020, said: "Experienced talent adds a great deal of value to the workplace, but we realise it's not always easy to find the right opportunity after a career break. This programme aims to give returners the opportunity to receive advice from experts in their respective fields, network with peers and meet employers who are keen to support returners to come back to the sector whatever their reason was for taking time out. We aim to make it easier for returners to integrate into a new role.
Hospitality employers supporting the initiative include Compass Group, InterContinental Hotels Group, Hilton, Travelodge, Mitchells & Butlers, Georgian House hotel, Imperial London Hotels, the Serviced Apartment Company, Revolution bars and Casual Dining Group.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive UKHospitality added: "This programme is a fantastic way to help women get back into a dynamic, rewarding and stimulating career in hospitality and rekindle the valuable experience and skills they already have."
Returners are encouraged to visit the Comeback to HTL website at www.comebacktohtl.com and register for a place at one of two planned events in June and October.