The current rate is being driven by employees leaving jobs in pubs (10.8%), restaurants (9.8%), quick serve restaurants (8.1%) and hotels (6.5%). Overall staff numbers in the industry remain higher than a year ago with a similar number of recruits joining as to those leaving.  

The data also found that the percentage of non-EU workers in hospitality (20.1%) continues to draw closer to the percentage of EU workers (24.3%). British workers currently make up 55.5% if the workforce, a figure that has remained stable throughout 2022.

The high rates of staff leaving the hospitality industry puts further pressure on recruitment and retention ahead of the final months of the year, which includes the football World Cup and the Christmas trading period.

Sebastien Sepierre, managing director- EMEA, Fourth, commented: “The latest data in the Fourth Hospitality Workforce Report shows that the industry is precariously placed. While staff numbers and collective hours worked remain solid, this is set against a backdrop of inflation at a four-decade high, the cost-of-living crisis, rising fuel costs and an understandably cautious consumer base, all making it far harder to turn a profit than a year ago.

“Any successful hospitality business’s biggest asset is a committed and talented team, which is why recruitment and retention are so vital. There are currently as many people starting jobs as leaving them. It is now essential that operators focus on retention and ensuring that recruits can see the benefits and rewards that a long-term career in hospitality offers.

“If not, they face the prospect of continual rounds of recruitment rather than consolidating teams to drive their businesses forward. Technology has an important function here in helping to drive processes that enable employers to efficiently hire, onboard, engage and retain team members.”