The Restaurant Staffing Crisis: A UK Perspective

The UK restaurant industry, like many sectors, has faced significant challenges in recent years. It has the largest staff shortfall of all UK sectors and a widening skills gap. The impact of Brexit, coupled with the pandemic and a recent recession, has created a perfect storm, leading to a severe staffing crisis. In this blog post, we will delve into the unique issues facing UK restaurants and explore potential solutions.

Brexit and Its Impact on Restaurant Staffing

Brexit has had a profound impact on the UK restaurant industry. The introduction of the points-based immigration system has made it more difficult for EU citizens to work in the UK. This has led to a shortage of skilled workers, particularly in the hospitality sector. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding Brexit has discouraged many EU workers from seeking employment in the UK. This has further exacerbated the staffing crisis and forced many restaurants to adapt their operations.

The criteria imposed by the government on sponsoring skilled worker, added to the challenges of finding qualified employees in our surrounding countries.

How to Address the Staffing Crisis

Invest in Training and Development

• Offer apprenticeships and traineeships to develop a skilled workforce.
• Provide ongoing training to upskill existing staff. As long as they learn, they are committed to your business.
• Create clear career paths to motivate employees.

Improve Working Conditions

• Offer competitive wages and benefits packages by keeping an eye on the competition.
• Implement flexible working arrangements to attract and retain staff.
• Consider fixed days off so the staff can organise their private life well in advance.
• Create a positive work environment that fosters employee satisfaction. Have regular small events that will celebrate your employees.
• Use a casual work platform like Coople allowing to not stretch your permanent staff with last minutes illness or activity peaks.