The Restaurant Association welcomes the release of the latest report on employment conditions in the hospitality and tourism industry. The report was commissioned by MBIE and produced by AUT. This data provides valuable insights into the workforce, offering a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our sector and a roadmap for the work ahead.
The report highlights significant progress across the industry. Turnover rates have decreased, job satisfaction has risen, and training opportunities have improved markedly. Encouragingly, the vast majority of employees feel confident in their skills and report being treated with respect by their managers, reflecting the strides employers have made in creating better workplace environments.
The industry has also made progress in areas such as compliance with minimum wage regulations and embracing sustainability, underscoring the sector’s commitment to continuous improvement.
However, the report also serves as a reminder of the challenges that require ongoing attention. Pay discrepancies, burnout, and inconsistent access to rest breaks and sick leave continue to impact many workers. Bullying rates remain unchanged, and some groups, such as younger and neurodiverse employees, report lower satisfaction, signalling the need for targeted strategies to address these issues.
While some of these challenges are shared across industries, hospitality has unique opportunities to lead the way in workforce development. By addressing issues like burnout, diversity, and fair compensation, the sector can continue to attract and retain top talent.
This report presents an opportunity for learning and development. The Restaurant Association is committed to working closely with the Government and industry stakeholders to address these challenges and build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable sector. Together, we can build on positive trends and tackle areas for improvement to ensure the hospitality industry thrives for both employees and employers.