UK hospitality workers face ‘unpredictable’ employment climate

Some 9% of scheduled shifts are cancelled and a further 19% are altered, according to research from management platform Deputy.

Deputy used data from over 1.6m shifts worked in hospitality during 2019. The cancellations and alterations found were attributed to either employees or employers making shift changes.

However, the research also found that 39% of rotas are published with less than seven days’ notice. Some 8% of shifts were published with less than 48 hours’ notice. 

Deputy said these figures “emphasises the fragile balance of work in hospitality, particularly for low-paid workers in the industry”. 

These findings come ahead of the government’s Good Work Plan. The plan will make changes to UK employment law, including a requirement for employers to give “reasonable notice” for shifts. Changes to holiday requirement calculation are also expected in the scheme.

The plan is expected to be implemented in April, and hopes to end “one-sided flexibility” in the industry.  

David Kelly, general manager EMEA at Deputy said: “Our analysis quantifies the reality that many businesses and their staff are experiencing. On the one hand, employees may occasionally need to change or cancel shifts in order to make work fit around their lives.” 

He added: “On the other hand, employers may have to make short notice alterations, including where contract arrangements allow them to flex staff hours.”