Burnout and workforce disconnection are emerging as serious commercial risks for Greater Manchester’s hospitality sector, according to industry leaders.
At a private roundtable hosted by the Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series and Top 100 law firm Ward Hadaway, senior figures from hotels, venues, restaurants, bars and event businesses agreed that wellbeing is no longer a ‘nice to have’, it is directly linked to recruitment, retention, and long-term profitability.
Findings from the Hospitality x GM Wellbeing Series Study, conducted ahead of the event, revealed that 80% of sector leaders now see staff burnout as a material business risk. For an industry still rebuilding after years of disruption, that concern is a critical business issue.
The roundtable discussion prompted calls for practical, low-barrier interventions that can be implemented across organisations of all sizes, from independent operators to large hotel groups.
More than 70% of leaders who responded to the survey said they want a single, high-impact moment in the calendar to unite their teams, rather than complex programmes.
Nick Rusling, CEO of the City Wellbeing Series, said: “Hospitality runs on energy. When teams are exhausted or disconnected, it shows. It becomes apparent in service, in culture and ultimately in the bottom line. What we heard in the room was not panic, but a commitment to investing in their teams for the long term. Collaboration is critical.”
Liz Bottrill, Executive Partner of Ward Hadaway’s Manchester office, said: “workforce wellbeing intersects with risk, compliance and long-term sustainability.
“But this conversation was not about minimising exposure to employment disputes, it was about fostering cultures where employees are listened to, empowered and appreciated.”
Sacha Lord, Chair of the Night Time Industries Association, added: “The sector has lost north of 120,000 workers over the last 18 months. Many positions lost were for young people aged between 18-25.
“If we want Greater Manchester to remain one of the UK’s leading hospitality destinations, we have to make it a sector people choose to build a career in, not one they leave.”
Find out more about The Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series, which is bringing businesses together at Heaton Park on 21 May for a wellbeing event aimed at encouraging collective participation across the hospitality scene.
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