‘More needs to be done' to support mental health of hospitality employees

UKHospitality has said "more needs to be done" to support hospitality employees after research found that 84% had suffered increased stress as a result of their job.

Research by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) found that 45% of respondents would not recommend working in the industry, while 62% did not think the sector took care of its employees.

Almost a quarter (24%) of respondents said they had required medical or psychological help, with only 10% saying they had received training to support health and wellbeing.

"Whether it is to address internal or external matters that lead to a stressful work environment, these results reiterate that we as an industry must work faster to provide our valuable and committed staff with the support they need. In the work place in particular, staff abuse from customers or colleagues should never be tolerated and businesses must always act firmly to protect staff."

A report by the RSPH did highlight a number of initiatives that have been set up by the industry, including Hospitality Action's employee assistance programme, but said more research needed to be done into what hospitality can learn from other sectors.

Employers have been encouraged to put in place a package of support which protects the mental health and wellbeing of staff including sick leave, regular one-to-ones between managers and employees, health champions and mental health first aiders.

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