Like many hospitality businesses, pub group Brunning & Price (B&P) is all too aware of the stigma that surrounds working in the sector. However, unlike others, the 80-venue group, which employs more than 3,500 people, is challenging this view with its progressive approach to staff recruitment, retention, training and wellbeing.
“We are aware that a lot of people in and outside of the industry think of hospitality as a place just for a short-term job. We’re trying to change that image and show it’s a place for a career with an abundance of opportunities.” says Katie Fox, head of recruitment at B&P.
“We want to challenge the wider stigma and show that it’s an amazing industry to be part of. It’s rewarding in so many ways, from making friendships to gaining qualifications, learning transferable, lifelong skills and ultimately making going to work not feel like work.”
Whether you are just starting out or looking for a career change, B&P has something for everyone. From those looking to join on a structured apprenticeship programme or more experienced candidates looking to stretch themselves, the company provides opportunities for people from all walks of life.
Engagement and wellbeing
B&P has always taken a strong stance on the engagement and wellbeing of all its crew. Last year, it took the focus one step further by recruiting an employee engagement and reward manager to further understand its staff’s needs and ensure they are getting any support they may need.
It has now trained more than 70 Wellbeing Ambassadors in mental health awareness and this year will be focusing on back of house support, ensuring head chefs and sous chefs have had the appropriate training and awareness to help support their mental and physical health.
The B&P ambassadors are from across the business who help support their wider teams with employee engagement and wellbeing. The group is developing the role to include other training sessions and, along with the managers, teams will soon have access to the whole suite of training from the mental health support charity, The Burnt Chef Project.
It also offers free counselling to all its crew members through an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and this service also has access to a variety of wellbeing resources via the Online Wellbeing Portal.
Reward and recognition
In addition to these steps, B&P also takes measures to ensure that its crew members are rewarded for their vital contribution. All crew members, from head office through to all the pubs are able to use a 30% staff discount, increasing to 50% depending on their length of service, a vital benefit given the continued rising cost of living. Their reward and recognition system offers discounts across a range of retail providers.
It’s important that employees are recognised and thanked for going over and above in their roles. With that in mind, ops managers have budgets that they can distribute to crew members and each pub also has its own recognition schemes such as Employee of the Month.
The company encourages crew to provide feedback to ensure their needs are being looked after and can adapt their approach to meet their needs. For example, following an annual survey last summer, B&P have enhanced staff meals on shift to provide increased flexibility and choice while also prioritising breaks, enabling crew members to take time away from the job at hand and feel refreshed.
Spotlight on the crews
If you’ve not guessed it, B&P take looking after its crew members as a top priority. It knows that without them, B&P wouldn’t be the success that it is today.
To illustrate the true working life at B&P, the company has recently created videos staring members of the crew to share their own B&P stories.
The first focuses on the profession and career of chef Tom Puttock who joined the group as a trainee, progressed to head chef at of one of its flagship pubs, and who now has his own apprentice. Impressively, he has worked across 32 of the group’s pubs and has been part of the opening team for 14 of them.
The other film looks at the journeys of three of the group’s top performing pub managers, discussing what they love about their roles, the level of autonomy they have, and how their careers have progressed.
Being as transparent as ever, both videos discuss some of the key issues within the industry, namely the support B&P offers around mental health, work life balance, and flexible working to enable the industry to be accessed by all, regardless of background or experience.
Katie Fox reflects on the videos saying: “As a sector we have a responsibility to shout about what we do and what better way to do it other than putting our fantastic people in the spotlight and hearing their real-life stories.
“We want to bring more hard working, fun loving and dedicated people into the company. As part of my role, I look to grab any opportunity to tell people how amazing the industry is but it’s fantastic when I know we have crew members who can do that too.”
5 things that make working at Brunning & Price special
1 The atmosphere
People are at the heart of what Brunning & Price does; its crew are like-minded, fun-loving, social, vibrant and lively and relish the opportunity to make people’s days.
2 Clear and rapid career progression
Hospitality is a career for all, but it’s great for people starting out who want responsibility and progression fast. B&P offers the opportunity for people to gain hospitality qualifications both back and front of house and to progress through the ranks quickly. Those who do become senior managers can manage both people and a pub, with managers given a lot of autonomy in the process.
3 Development of soft skills
Hospitality is not all about professional qualifications - soft skills are easily and naturally developed through extensive social interactions with colleagues and customers from all walks of life from different cultures and with different perceptions. All this enables team members to become highly intelligent communicators, who are empathetic, understanding, and able to put people at ease.
4 Not your average 9-5
There is a huge amount of variety, both in the hours staff can work as well as what they do during those hours, which B&P find suits creative types brilliantly. Flexible shifts to help with working parents are offered and to help create a positive work/life balance.
5 Perks and support
Throughout the year staff can enjoy a range of parties, team drinks, and festivals at the pub group where they can let their hair down. They can also take advantage of free food and discounts for many hobbies and pastimes.