This is despite hospitality vacancies still being 48% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Nearly 80% said fear of being judged at interview put them off applying for a role altogether. Over half (54%) of hospitality employers surveyed admitted they don’t think businesses in the industry are doing enough to be inclusive.

The challenge also extends to those that have successfully found employment, with 62% saying they found it difficult to keep their job – primarily because they felt the company was not equipped to support those with a learning disability (45%) and that they did not have the right support from their team (41%).

In response to the research, Hilton is running a free education workshop in early September alongside the Down’s Syndrome Association and Aurora Foxes to help businesses overcome the perceived challenges around employing someone with a learning disability.

Stephen Cassidy, senior vice president and managing director, UK & Ireland at Hilton, said: “Building an inclusive workplace which allows every individual to thrive is fundamental to the success of any business. We’ve seen first-hand the benefits of supporting those with learning disabilities, welcoming some exceptional talent into our business in partnership with the Down’s Syndrome Association and Aurora Foxes.

“This research shows there is a real opportunity to empower more businesses to embrace this wealth of talent. We hope that by sharing our experience, we can inspire other employers to provide much-needed job opportunities for those with learning disabilities and help them reap the benefits that a diverse workforce brings – from employee engagement to business performance.”