Research Informing Hospitality Reform

On 3 November the Whitaker Institute was delighted to host Research Informing Hospitality Reform. The hospitality sector was uniquely impact by the Covid-19 pandemic. While some establishments pivoted to food preparation and delivery, many were forced to shut down for over 16 months. Re-opening for in-door dining in July 2021 has led to extensive challenges of staff recruitment across the sector, along with claims by employers that this is stunting their recovery.

Speculation as to the causes of labour shortages has ranged from the continuation of the PUP, to migrant labour returning home, to the traditional precarity associated with hospitality work with staff reflecting and re-evaluating their career choices
The number one barrier to recruitment cited by survey respondents was the PUP, followed by higher wage expectations among candidates, a drain of international workers abroad, and jobs in the sector being perceived as “unstable”.
(Irish Times, 3rd Sept)

However, the fact is that very little research has been conducted in Ireland to explore the reality of hospitality work. In this seminar, Dr Deirdre Curran and Dr Mary Farrell presented their research which shed some light on the current challenges facing the sector, and opened the debate on how the sector could be reformed to make it a more attractive job/career choice.

SPEAKERS:

Dr Curran and Dr Farrell presented a summary of their research addressing the following questions:

1. What was the primary motive(s) for conducting the research?
2. What methodologies were adopted?
3. What were the key findings?
4. What recommendations emerged?
5. Key questions for future hospitality research.

RESPONDENTS:
A panel of four stakeholder respondents responded to the research presentations adding their own perspective.

– Julia Marciniak Hospitality and tourism organiser with UNITE trade union.
– Andrew Leech former Chef and Hospitality Employer
– Khristina Ridge from weraizup.com
– Liam Lally former hotel General Manager with four decades of experience.

A recording is available to watch back below.

Dr Curran also authored a Policy Brief on the topic, titled ‘The Case for Reform of the Culture of Hospitality Working in Ireland: Some Preliminary Evidence’. It is available to download here.