We recently surveyed our audience to see how they were feeling about COVID and the hospitality industry now that we are months into the pandemic. 

It’s been a challenging year for the hospitality industry and its workers, and 70% of our respondents said they had gone through an employment change during COVID, which included being laid off, furloughed, having hours changed, or switching jobs or employers. 

While the majority have had a change in employment and many have gotten laid off or furloughed, 87% of our respondents are still planning on continuing to work or explore opportunities in the hospitality industry. 

And while 58% of our respondents are feeling positive or optimistic overall, there are still hardships job seekers and workers are facing. 

Career employees are struggling to find new work 

The hospitality industry is still facing a 19.0% unemployment rate, which has steadily decreased since March, however, is higher than the 4.8% unemployment from September 2019. With unemployment still being high, many hospitality professionals are job hunting with less job opening to apply to, creating a lot more competition for each position. 

Older and more experienced workers are facing more challenges in finding openings that fit their level of experience or career, or the salary they need to cover their financial responsibilities. Many feel that there are hundreds of candidates with similar skills applying to the same positions but employers are choosing the candidates who are willing to work for lower compensation than hiring the best-fit candidates. 

“Hire more senior more workers, because we are usually more reliable, have a better perspective of what employers want to be done, loyal to our employers, and generally have more experience with diversity.”

Workers are asking for more communication

With some much unknown right now, workers are looking to their employers to provide as much information and knowledge as possible. 

The biggest question everyone has is when hospitality companies will be returning to their pre-COVID staffing levels. 60% of our survey respondents anticipate that will happen in May 2021 or later. Some have noticed that the sense of urgency from hospitality companies has calmed. They are posting job openings but not rushing to hire anyone to fill them even with many great candidates available who are ready to return to the workforce. 

For those who are still employed, they would like upper management to communicate more about the current standing of specific positions and what their retainment or rehiring plans are. Granted some information may not be available to give, companies should be as transparent as possible to keep employees prepared and informed on the state of their company and the industry as a whole. 

Overall people are still feeling positive 

58% answered that they are feeling positive, with 30% saying they are feeling very optimistic. The hospitality industry and its workers are used to facing adversity and evolving to be successful and the workforce is ready to get back to work and do what they love to do.