5 things we learned from the Shift Work in Hospitality Webinar

Be aware of poly-employment 

Poly-employment, or holding multiple jobs, is becoming increasingly common. According to the report, hospitality has the highest proportion of poly-workers at 44%, followed by healthcare at 11%.

Poly-employment can offer opportunities for both operators and staff: Flynn highlighted that many employees combine shiftwork with creative pursuits such as acting, and operators must accept that not every worker will view hospitality as their primary career. But she also warned that operators should keep an eye on the poly-employed, as some will pursue multiple roles in order to sustain themselves financially. If an employee is taking on more jobs to make ends meet, “that is where we need to ask ourselves, are we paying [them] enough?”. To remain competitive, operators need to understand the motivations of multi-job workers and ensure fair pay and conditions to attract and retain a committed workforce.

Ensure rotas are visible to all

Both Gen Z and Gen Alpha are requesting greater shift rota visibility, Flynn and Karunanethy shared. Flynn explained that younger hospitality workers are accustomed to obtaining instant information and so want visibility of rotas a month in advance, as planning ahead is important for their health, wellbeing and social lives. Althoug this poses a major shift for a sector used to short-term scheduling, Flynn added that it can “make us better at our jobs because they are demanding the things that maybe I didn’t demand when I was in their shoes” and therefore promoting a healthier work-life balance. 

Karunanethy added that advancements in predictive scheduling and forecasting technology can help operators plan rotas weeks ahead, improving both staff satisfaction and operational efficiency: “It’s a win for you, it’s a win for workers – it’s a win overall,” he said.

Look after your night-time workers

The rise in evening and night-time spending across the UK has created new opportunities for shift workers, with the capital leading the growth. In key areas such as the City of London, Shoreditch and Soho, between 46.7% and 58% of total spending now happens during night hours, mainly at fast-food outlets and cafés.

However, understanding who is working these shifts is crucial. Women make up 56% of night-time workers, while Millennials dominate the schedule. Karunanethy highlighted that operators must consider the safety and travel needs of female staff when planning night-time shifts, ensuring that shift work aligns with worker wellbeing and safety.

From the sponsor

Deputy was honoured to partner with The Caterer for the Shift Work in Hospitality Summit – a timely deep dive into how hospitality businesses can meet the shifting demands of today’s workforce. Rooted in the findings from its Big Shift Report, Deputy shared data-backed insights into how flexible scheduling, technology and employee expectations are reshaping the workplace.

At Deputy, its mission is to improve the world of work, one shift at a time, and through events like this it aims to help managers and teams build more profitable, connected and trusted workplaces – where operations run smoothly and people feel empowered.

Terry McMillan, lead demand generation marketing manager at Deputy

Keep on top of the issues with The Caterer Summits

The Caterer Summits is a series of online and in-person events that bring together hospitality professionals and industry experts to discuss the latest trends, operational insights and opportunities to develop your business. The next event is the Chef Summit, on 23 October, a free webinar for chefs working within any area of hospitality.

Main photo: Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock