Hospitality Guide to Recruiting Workers Aged 50+
Focusing on supporting the integration and sustainment of the 50+ workforce within the hospitality sector.
The UK is undergoing a large demographic shift. However, broadly speaking,
the hospitality sector is falling behind with regards to attracting and
employing an older workforce.
What is happening with the over-50s in the workforce?
An increase in longevity, combined with the multifaceted impacts of Covid-19 on employment, whereby many have retired from their previous jobs, has resulted in the UK sleepwalking into a retirement crisis with millions of individuals entering a long and potentially low-income retirement. All too frequently, many people find themselves taking early retirement due to factors that can be remedied by taking steps to create more accommodating working environments. The Phoenix Group reports that the employment impact of Covid-19 on the over 50s has been the longest-lasting compared to other age groups, with sectoral shifts on supply and demand.
ONS data recorded that in the April to June 2021 period, the employment rate for people aged 50 to 64 years was 71.2%, with only 15% of this figure working with distribution, hotels, and restaurants. The hospitality sector is neglecting a large pool of workers which has the potential to begin to fill the gaps of a widespread labour shortage.
Centre for Ageing Better reports that by 2025 there will be an extra one million workers over the age of 50 in the UK. This body of workforce can begin to address the vacancy rates of 10% that continue to persist within the sector, with hospitality vacancies close to around 50% higher than they were pre-pandemic (ONS).