The world of hospitality is evolving quickly, and so are the ways people work. For operators, this means adapting to new expectations around shift patterns, flexibility, and availability. Candidates today bring unique needs and commitments outside of work, and recognising this is key to building strong, sustainable teams.
In this blog, we highlight some of the biggest HR challenges currently shaping the hospitality industry – and explore how digital platforms can offer practical, effective solutions.
Lengthy recruitment and high turnover rates
The hospitality industry is struggling to recruit across the board, giving the small talent pool power to be selective. To attract top candidates, businesses must go above and beyond for their prospective employees. The key talent to target now is Generation Z and Generation Alpha – digital natives who expect instant access to everything. A modern, all-in-one HR platform can help meet these expectations by offering a single app where employees view schedules, request time off, check payslips, and stay updated with company news.
To attract and retain these digital-native workers, hospitality employers are streamlining recruitment processes, reducing paperwork, and allowing applicants to begin with minimal information. Many now provide onboarding and training resources before the first day, helping new hires feel confident and connected from the very start. Engagement should then be maintained throughout the employee journey, with digital tools enabling consistent communication and recognition.
Overall, in a competitive market, success depends on two things: attracting the right people – and giving them every reason to stay.
Low morale = Low customer service standards
It’s no secret that the hours individuals are expected to work in hospitality can sometimes be long or even antisocial. Low morale can develop quickly, particularly during busy periods, such as peak summer holidays or Christmas party season.
Digital platforms, like ZellisONE, can instantly track employee feedback, improving communication and responsiveness across teams. This means potential issues or pressure points can be identified and addressed early, fostering a culture where employees feel valued and heard.
The cost of time
Undoubtedly, the training and management of team members costs time and money and is pivotal to the success of any business.
Ensuring all staff are effectively trained to perform their jobs properly and safely is key to the smooth running of any establishment. Digital training should be considered where possible, and if such training can be provided through a platform, it can then be tailored to the needs of the individual. Team members have the option of completing training, such as health and safety and compliance, during down time whilst at work or, if they so wish, in their spare time and at their own pace. This can ultimately alleviate a lot of pressure for a time-poor manager, and empower teams to manage certain tasks independently, without always relying on a superior.
Access to online training helps to keep operators’ costs and environmental footprint down by negating the need to print out staff handbooks and reams of paperwork. Of course, most of an operator’s training is done ‘on the ground’, but helpful tools, training and information available at an employee’s finger tips can save a significant amount of time and money across the board, whilst ensuring your teams are focused on the customers.
Conclusion
It’s clear that digital and ‘self-service’ HR is on the rise, and with the modern hospitality industry now starting to keep up at an increasingly alarming rate, those who do not adapt have the potential to be left behind – meaning we should all be embracing such technologies to thrive in the ever-changing digital world.
Key takeaways
- The hospitality industry faces ongoing recruitment challenges, making it essential for employers to stand out by offering flexibility, support, and modern tech
- Attracting and retaining digital-native generations like Gen Z and Gen Alpha requires all-in-one HR platforms that simplify communication and engagement
- Streamlined recruitment processes and early onboarding help improve employee experiences and, subsequently, retention rate
Smarter HR starts here
Find out how Zellis’ AI-enabled all-in-one HR software can reduce admin and drive employee engagement.
