Overcoming the challenges of hospitality recruitment post-Brexit and pandemic

2020 was a challenging year for the hospitality industry. With months of closures due to Covid-19, many businesses were hit hard. Added into the mix was Brexit, which also created a high level of uncertainty surrounding whether or not EU nationals would be able to stay and work in the hospitality industry and whether or not visas would be required.

So, how have Brexit and Covid-19 impacted hospitality recruitment and what does the future hold for the industry?

The significant impact of Covid-19

Covid-19 has affected everyone's lives, but the hospitality sector was one of the hardest-hit industries by the global pandemic. Many bars, restaurants and hotels closed their doors for prolonged periods in 2020 and 2021, leading to staff being furloughed or made redundant. As the hospitality recovery is now in full swing, with businesses bouncing back and attracting swathes of customers, many establishments require increasing staff numbers to work in their companies.

Although many of the pre-pandemic staff have returned to the hospitality industry, some have found employment in other industries, leading to the need for new recruitment drives. Of course, new workers will need training, especially if they have not worked in the industry before, which utilises time and financial resources. However, it is likely that with high UK unemployment rates, there is an increased pool of workers to choose from.

Brexit's myriad of challenges

With thousands upon thousands of EU nationals currently comprising a significant percentage of the UK's hospitality workforce, workers from the EU play a fundamental role in driving this industry forward. However, since the start of 2021, EU nationals have required a work permit to be eligible for UK employment.

This means that there is substantially more red tape to cut through when UK businesses recruit workers from the EU. The recruitment process can take longer, and it can be more difficult to convince the highest quality staff to take up employment opportunities in the UK hospitality industry. Therefore, this poses a challenge for many UK based restaurants, hotels, bars and cafes. Consequently, hospitality recruitment must be more committed to attracting the top EU talent to the UK.

Positivity on the horizon

With outdoor dining and drinking already open to the UK public and indoor hospitality due to imminently reopen, the hospitality industry is experiencing renewed positivity. Consequently, this industry is an attractive sector for recruits to join. Government Restart Grants and increasing public confidence in the hospitality sector will likely drive the industry to overcome the challenges Brexit and Covid-19 have posed to bring the best talent to the UK's bars and restaurants.

For high-quality hospitality recruitment, please contact JW Recruitment.