Three quarters of hospitality anxious about job security

Nearly three quarters of hospitality workers have said they are worried about losing their job amid the current lockdown, according to a snap survey. 

Some 72% of staff said they feel either very concerned (39%) or slightly concerned (33%) about their short-term job security,according to a snap Pulse survey from CGA and CPL Learning.

The findings come days into a second national lockdown in England, which will see pubs and bars closed for 28 days. 

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the Government would “go further” to help those in sectors hit by the impact of coronavirus measures yesterday, announcing an extension of the furlough scheme until March.​

The survey was conducted before this speech.

Survival confidence

One in five (42%) in the sector said they were concerned about long-term job security, an increase on the proportion (22%) who said this in June, ahead of pubs reopening after the first lockdown.

Slightly less than half (49%) said they were confident their employer would survive the pandemic, a considerable drop from when asked in June (71%).

What’s more, just 18% of the Hospitality Professionals panel were optimistic about the prospects of the sector over the next six months.

Chloe Sheerin, consumer research executive at CGA said: “This survey illustrates how lockdowns and a steady stream of new trading restrictions have created widespread anxiety for hospitality professionals." 

Stressful month

She added: “Frontline teams have worked very hard to bolster consumers’ confidence and support the sector’s recovery over the last few months, but November will now be a stressful month for many of them.”

“By and large employers responded well to the challenge of keeping staff supported and valued earlier this year—but amid so much concern about jobs, they will need to double down on those efforts in November. If they can do so, frontline teams will be well motivated to help their businesses bounce back once this latest lockdown is over.”