Hospitality workers across the UK are experiencing an unprecedented rise in mental health struggles, according to a recent survey conducted by charity Hospitality Action.
The survey, carried out in June, showed a significant increase in mental health issues reported by hospitality workers, climbing from 56% in 2018 to over 76% in 2024.
The data revealed that over two-thirds of workers (69%) have faced mental health challenges in the last five years, influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis. Notably, half (49%) reported issues within the last two years alone.
When asked about the top challenges they expect to face in the next year, 60% of respondents cited managing a good work/life balance as their primary concern, followed by mental health (44%) and financial issues (42%). This correlation between finances, mental health, and workplace pressure is reflected in the surge of calls to Hospitality Action’s helplines.
Workers identified work/life balance (45%), high expectations/workload (43%), and long hours (40%) as the main challenges impacting workplace wellbeing. A critical concern for employers is the divided opinion on whether hospitality organisations adequately support employee wellbeing. While 62% of respondents felt their employer fostered a supportive environment for mental health discussions, 38% did not, highlighting a significant gap, particularly among less experienced staff in operational roles.
Just over half (52%) of respondents felt comfortable discussing their mental health with their employer, but 65% feared it could negatively impact their career progression. Despite this, 85% believed they could recognise signs of a colleague struggling and 79% would initiate a conversation.
Employers indicated they would primarily offer support by adjusting working patterns (71%) and directing employees to Employee Assistance Programmes (67%).
Hospitality Action CEO Mark Lewis emphasised the need for a fundamental shift in attitude towards mental health to sustain a resilient workforce: “Despite significant progress in recent years reducing the stigma associated with mental health and wellbeing, it is evident that we still have a long way to go. Employers must take the lead by creating a work environment that prioritises a balanced work/life dynamic and which encourages open, honest discussions without fear of negative repercussions.
“The Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis devastated our industry, as evidenced by these survey results and the surge in calls to our helplines. A fundamental, permanent shift in attitude towards mental health is essential to provide the crucial help and support needed to sustain a resilient and healthy workforce in our industry.”
The survey results will be discussed further on 25 July, at 9:30 am during the first episode of the ‘Talk for Wellbeing’ series, featuring Hospitality Action’s marketing director Jeremy Gibson and Craig Prentice, founder of mum and Walk for Wellbeing.
This survey follows recent data from restructuring and insolvency firm, PKF Littlejohn Advisory, which indicated that company insolvencies in the hospitality sector in England and Wales have risen more sharply over the past 12 months than in any other sector.
