Hospitality Action

The results are in.

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week back in May, we relaunched our Taking The Temperature industry-wide wellbeing survey. It’s the first time we have run a mental health survey in four years, the last being during the height of the pandemic. And we plan to make it an annual event so we can benchmark how the industry is feeling about mental health issues.

The survey revealed a significant increase in the proportion of hospitality workers reporting mental health issues in their careers, rising from just over half (56%) in 2018, 64% in 2020, to more than three-quarters (76%) in 2024.

Over two-thirds (69%) said that they have experienced mental health challenges in the last five years since the Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, half (49%) in the last two years alone.

When asked to identify the top three challenges they were personally likely to face in the next 12 months, managing a good work/life balance (60%) was cited as the primary issue, closely followed by mental health (44%) and finances (42%). The correlation between deteriorating finances, poor mental health, and workplace pressure is borne out by the surge of calls the charity has experienced to its helplines over recent months.

When considering the main challenges facing their workplace generally, respondents thought work/life balance (45%), high expectations/workload (43%) and long hours (40%) were the issues most likely to impact organisational wellbeing.

A key concern for employers should be how opinion is divided regarding whether hospitality organisations adequately support employee wellbeing.

Two-thirds of respondents believe that their employer creates an environment where their mental health can be openly discussed, and that they have a good work/life balance (agree 62%), a third of employees (38%) do not feel either to be true. This ‘lost third’ tend to be in more operational roles and are generally amongst less experienced team members, highlighting the need for employers to make sure nobody is left behind in terms of employee communications.

Just over half of respondents would be comfortable to discuss their mental health with their employer (52%). However, two-thirds (65%) stated that they would be reticent to vocalise a mental health challenge due to fears it could negatively impact their career progression, a vital point employers must address if they are to succeed in fostering a truly supportive and open work culture.

Encouragingly, 85% of respondents feel that they can recognise the signs to look out for if a colleague is struggling and 79% would start a conversation.

Regarding the assistance most likely to be offered to an employee citing a mental health issue, almost three-quarters (71%) of employers said they would look to change working patterns to help improve work/life balance and reduce stress.

Additionally, two-thirds (67%) would also signpost employees to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), indicating the significantly important role EAP’s play in mental health support.

In response, we’re urging the industry to review its mental health and wellbeing provisions to better support employees, and to nurture an environment in which it is safe to voice concerns without fear.

HA’s Chief Executive Mark Lewis, said:

“Despite significant progress in recent years reducing the stigma associated with mental health and wellbeing, it is evident that we still have a long way to go. Employers must take the lead by creating a work environment that prioritises a balanced work/life dynamic and which encourages open, honest discussions without fear of negative repercussions.

The Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis devastated our industry, as evidenced by these survey results and the surge in calls to our helplines. A fundamental, permanent shift in attitude towards mental health is essential to provide the crucial help and support needed to sustain a resilient and healthy workforce in our industry.”

Mark Lewis
Hospitality Action

The results of the Taking the Temperature survey were discussed in more detail on Thursday 25 July when Hospitality Action’s Marketing Director, Jeremy Gibson, joined Founder of mum and Walk for Wellbeing, Craig Prentice, in Episode One of our ‘Talk for Wellbeing’ series. You can watch the watch discussion below.

And, if you complete the form below, we’ll send you a copy of the report so you can read it at your leisure.

Blog. Taking the temperature - the results are in.

The results are in.