Why is there a staff shortage in the hospitality industry?

The hospitality industry has been facing a significant personnel shortage for years. A challenge that companies throughout the Netherlands are facing. This shortage has come about over the years due to several factors, including seasonal crowding, the uncertainty surrounding COVID and inadequate working conditions. In this article, we dive deeper into the causes and consequences behind these shortages and explore potential solutions for hospitality entrepreneurs and businesses.

How did these shortages in the hospitality industry come about?

• Personnel shortages in the hospitality industry are the result of several developments and trends within the industry over the years. It is therefore becoming increasingly important for hospitality entrepreneurs to respond to these. The main causes of structural shortages are:
• Often temporary contracts: The hospitality industry often involves seasonal work. In summer, there is often more demand for hospitality staff, while in winter the demand decreases.
• The Corona pandemic: The COVID period had a major impact on the hospitality industry. With many closures and staff layoffs, job security has become increasingly uncertain for (potential) employees.
• Changing work preferences: New generations increasingly value work-life balance. To that end, the hospitality industry is increasingly unattractive because of the physical heaviness and long workdays involved.

What are the main implications for staff shortages in the hospitality industry?

Staff shortages in the hospitality industry have significant impacts on both entrepreneurs and the industry as a whole. First, a shortage leads to increased workload among existing staff. This can eventually result in less job satisfaction and higher absenteeism.

Financially, staff shortages entail additional costs for hospitality entrepreneurs. They often have to invest extra in recruitment and selection. Staff shortages can even lead to the forced closure of hospitality businesses, because there are simply not enough people available to keep the operation running.

What can we do about it?

Staff shortages in the hospitality industry are a challenge, but with the right approach, we can overcome them. This includes the following solutions:

1. Work with hospitality staffing agencies: with a collective of staffing agencies such as Felix, you will always have real-time visibility into the availability of qualified hospitality top workers.
2. Ensure good work culture: make sure that both your permanent staff and hired staff feel comfortable on your floor.
3. Use smart technology: make sure that repetitive tasks such as reservations and kitchen solutions can be partially automated.
4. Invest in the long term: do this for your permanent staff, but also for hired staff. Through our platform it is possible to make a fixed selection of staff

So the staff shortage in the hospitality industry is certainly a challenge. As a hospitality staffing agency, it is important for us to respond to the needs of hospitality companies and provide them with qualified staff so that they can continue to grow and prosper in this vibrant industry.