Hospitality employers fail to meet the career expectations of staff

The study surveyed 1,036 employees, of which 88 per cent were millennials, across 15 of the hospitality sectors’ biggest names including Hilton, Virgin Holidays and IHG.

A good work/life balance was rated the most desirable characteristic of an employer (35 per cent), followed by ‘encouraging and supporting employee development’ (27 per cent).

However, employees feel neither are currently reflected in the industry culture, with both traits receiving the lowest perception ranking from workers alongside a ‘structured approach to managing up’.

“With talent playing a pivotal role in growing organisations into stronger brands, companies must adapt their strategies to attract, engage and retain the talent that will futureproof their business,” said Bernard Zen-Ruffinen, president of Korn Ferry EMEA.

“This research comes at a pivotal time for the industry, which according to the World Travel and Tourism Council​ (WTTC), is set to expand faster than the global economy this year.”

Staff shortages in the hospitality industry worsened in March​, with businesses struggling to fill almost half of all skilled chef vacancies​.

Staff expectations​

Sixty-four per cent of employees surveyed wanted to work for a company they perceived as having a ‘radical and daring attitude towards business’ and an ‘unconventional’ workplace culture, while 61 per cent rated ‘an agile and fast-paced environment’ as being ideal.

“With media consumption changing drastically over the last five years, the rise of mobile technology and social media has impacted employees’ attitude to the workplace,” said Neil Griffiths, global practice leader at Futurestep.

“As a result, a more innovative, daring, but rewarding employer is required – one who is willing to be creative in their outlook in order to engage the talent that these qualities best resonate with.”

The survey results were presented at the annual World Tourism Forum in Lucerne on 23 and 24 April.