The report revealed that operators and managers are looking at employee satisfaction with cautious optimism. Pay is up and well-being is a growing priority but more than two in five (42%) of employees are still considering a career outside of hospitality.

Despite rising costs and staff shortages, 62% of industry leaders feel optimistic about prospects for their business over the next 12 months. Two-thirds (67%) of respondents agree with the statement that ‘hospitality offers a good and worthwhile career'. 

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of employees in the sector feel satisfied in their current hospitality job role—an increase of 13 percentage points since the last survey in 2022. Over a quarter (27%) say they have actively chosen hospitality as their career path, which is four percentage points more than 12 months ago. 

According to the report:

• A third (30%) of staff say their employer supports a good work-life balance, up from 19% a year ago—but more support is still needed
• More than a third of employees say they look for honesty (41%), equality (35%), or mutual respect (34%) when searching for a job
• Only a fifth (20%) of employees currently think their business’ technology for staff is very advanced

Karl Chessell, CGA by NIQ’s director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA, said: “High staff shortages and turnover have been a huge challenge for the hospitality sector in recent years, but our research shows businesses are making good progress on their engagement strategies.

“It’s already paying dividends in improved satisfaction, and in time should help to bring down turnover and overcome some negative stereotypes to finally earn hospitality the reputation it deserves as a great place to build a career.”