Report finds ‘worryingly high levels of concern’ about racism in the workplace

The second edition of the Inside Hospitality report has found worryingly high levels of concern about the impact of racism in the workplace, with 28% of Asian, 37% of Black and 39% of mixed ethnicity respondents experiencing or witnessing racism in their current place of work.

Be Inclusive Hospitality’s second Inside Hospitality report collected more than 1,000 responses from across the industry, with views and experiences shared covering topics including racism, diversity and inclusion, and education. The non-profit organisation aims to accelerate race equity within hospitality, food, and drink.

Other key findings included:

• Among respondents who had witnessed or experienced racism; 23% Asian, 16% Black and 12% of mixed respondents had been offered wellbeing support, including mental health or otherwise.
• 38% of Asian senior leaders and 39% of Black senior leaders felt they were ‘very well’ or ‘well’ supported regarding their career progression compared to two-thirds (65%) of white senior leaders.
• Black respondents, at 43%, were most likely to report that ethnicity had hindered their career progression. Asian (37%) and mixed (28%) respondents reported the same. In contrast, just 7% of white respondents believe this.
• Only one in five of all respondents had accessed workshops about anti-racism, race or language, but five in 10 respondents stated that they would like to.

The report, which can be read here, concluded with five steps that business leaders should take to accelerate change, including providing education tailored to the business’ needs; taking a zero tolerance approach to racism, discrimination and bullying; and partnering with organisations that value diversity and inclusion.

Lorraine Copes, founder of Be Inclusive Hospitality, said: “The time is now for the hospitality industry to stop and consider if it wants to be a sector where all employees and businesses can develop and build successful futures. Sadly, the findings confirm what I have observed over the past 20 years, which is there are barriers for progression for Black, Asian and ethnic minorities to move upwards, and sector leaders should act now to remove them.”

The first edition of the report launched in June 2021, which captured 387 responses. Due to a significant difference in data composition, a direct comparison has not been made with this year’s report.

Since inception, Be Inclusive Hospitality has facilitated workshops to more than 500 hospitality leaders and delivered professional development and wellbeing initiatives to nearly 400 Black, Asian and ethnic minority employees throughout the hospitality sector.