TGI boss calls for standards on how firms treat employees

Forrester is critical of the way some sections of the industry treat their employees, claiming that some operators simply put people behind the bar with no
training. However, she believes that employers who treat their staff well should be rewarded.

“In this industry there are a lot of people who still treat people badly — that’s pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, you name it. A lot of them treat them brilliantly, but there’s no standard to it, which I think there should be.

“It’s absolutely right that if you’re a five-star rated restaurant, then people are going to say that it’s safe to go and eat there. Why don’t we have the same for employment? Why can’t we be a five-star rated employer? Why can’t we be a zero-star rated employer?”

Her comments come as the industry’s Perceptions Group looks to change the common view that the sector doesn’t offer a serious career path.

“A lot of the perception is true,” says Forrester. “I’ve got members of my family who have worked in brands that we all know and have been treated so badly — no training, put behind the bar on the first weekend... just horror stories.

“A lot of the bad reputation is founded on bad operators treating people badly. So many of them still exploit [staff]. It’s tragic. I honestly believe that we need a standard in the industry.”

She said such a scheme could possibly be administered by a body like the Hospitality Guild.