Growing number of over 50s returning to hospitality

Growing numbers of workers over 50 are taking on jobs in the UK’s pubs, restaurants and hotels in order to boost their retirement income as the sector’s labour shortage and rising cost of living prompts a shift in its workforce.

This is according to the Caterer.com Hospitality Hiring Insider, which analyses job ad data and the views of 600 hospitality professionals and has found that more than 130,000 over 50s are working in the sector to boost pension savings, and hospitality employers have seen a surge in applications from this demographic.

While hiring in some sectors has started to slow, the research shows that the business energy price cap and World Cup are boosting hiring in the sector, with data suggesting hiring demands are consistent with 2019 levels, despite the cost-of-living crisis.

It found one in five (22%) businesses are already seeing a rise in bookings for the World Cup and three in 10 (29%) are hiring more people to ensure they can manage the anticipated demand.

While demand for workers has remained resilient, hospitality in the UK continues to be “challenged by a shrinking talent pool”, with research revealing some 200,000 international workers have left the sector since 2019.

As a result, hospitality businesses are actively hiring from less traditional talent pools and a quarter (25%) of employers believe workers over 50 will be “important” in helping to solve the sector’s labour shortage.

It also found the cost-of-living crisis is a “key motivator” in tempting over 50s into the sector and the majority (70%) of hospitality employers note that cost-of-living crisis is driving more people aged over 50 to boost their income by working in hospitality.

The research also suggests much more can be done by employers to support this demographic; just 16% run an active returner or re-entry programmes for over 50s to help increase the number of these workers in their organisation.

Two thirds (67%) believe the labour shortages and decline in international workers is making hospitality businesses be more creative in how they hire workers from the UK. In fact, in many cases it has had a positive impact, with 62% now actively hiring more inclusively, with more inclusive policies improving company ethos (51%) and productivity (48%).

Kathy Dyball, director at Caterer.com, said: “Brexit, the pandemic, and the cost of living crisis have combined to bring about the most dramatic transformation our sector’s workforce has ever seen. While it will take time to address long-established labour shortages, it’s encouraging to see employers broadening the range of candidates they’re targeting. Workers over 50 are hugely valued by the hospitality industry and we need to do more to highlight the vast range of roles available that can suit people of any working age.

“Jobs in hospitality offer tremendous flexibility, a secure income, and can be truly rewarding. We encourage employers to review all stages of their hiring process, from job adverts to employee benefits, to ensure they consider applicants of all ages equally. The team at Caterer.com are expert at working with employers to reach and engage candidates in a wide range of talent pools, using our advice tools and performance products.”