More than a third have faced discrimination in sector

20-Jun-2023 - Last updated on 20-Jun-2023 at 09:46 GMT

Survey results: Lorraine Copes of Be Inclusive Hospitality says there is a growing appetite and desire for support, development, and education

Social enterprise Be Inclusive Hospitality’s latest report has found more than a third of hospitality workers (33.7%) have experienced discrimination in the workplace.

The Inside Hospitality Report 2023, which received submissions from 3,120 respondents, also found 35.7% have witnessed discrimination in the workplace.

The report, which is the third edition from Be Inclusive Hospitality, also discovered Asian and black respondents more frequently reported racial bias (62%), while white respondents reported more instances of gender bias.

Nightclubs, pubs and bars had higher incidences of reported discriminatory behaviour than other sectors. A high proportion of participants in the management and director positions (73.9%) report witnessing and experiencing discriminatory behaviours.

Meanwhile, 46.9% of respondents are unaware of any well-being support for employees facing discrimination.

Disparity in earnings

Furthermore, the report highlights disparities in earnings, employment terms and representation in various roles for ethnic minority groups.

It indicates a need for more awareness and knowledge regarding equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives and actions within organisations. Notably, ethnic minority respondents consistently show higher awareness levels than white respondents.

The report added there are worrying levels of discrimination experienced and the gap remains in training and education on race. The lowest level of access to this training and education is for CEOs and founders, who also have the highest appetite for such training and education.

Of the 3,120 respondents taking part in the survey, 1,594 (51%) were white, 701 (22.5%) were Asian, 457 (14.6%) were of mixed ethnicity and 340 (10.9%) were black. A small number of 28 respondents (0.9%) did not disclose their ethnicity.

Real change

Be Inclusive Hospitality CEO and founder Lorraine Copes said: “Without a fundamental understanding of the realities faced by the people ‘inside hospitality’, it will not be possible to bring about real, long-lasting change.

“This report represents the voice of the people within the hospitality industry, who have no motives other than wanting to see a better and more inclusive sector.

“The survey engagement and our work signal a growing appetite and desire for support, development, and education for all.

“When I produce this report two years from now, the landscape will look different to what it does today.”

Be Inclusive Hospitality was founded due to the lack of representation of Black, Asian and ethnic minorities in positions of influence and the supply chain within the hospitality sector.