Hard work has its advantages, but also disadvantages

Last month we published the results of an independent study on what hospitality workers believe is needed to make the hospitality sector future-proof and attractive again. This month, I am tackling various themes that play a central role in the discussion about the future of our beautiful sector. This time, it's about the work-life balance in hospitality.

Working a lot and hard also has its advantages

The hospitality sector is known for a lot of hard and especially irregular work. Hospitality workers are real 'doers' and don't like sitting still. This was evident in the past period when they were sometimes forced to stay at home. Working in hospitality often means working when others are free: working in the evenings and on weekends. And that has its advantages. For example, there's always an excuse not to attend the birthday of that dreadful Aunt Annie, to avoid hearing her life story for the 23^rd time over a weak brew that should Card for coffee. Moreover, you can visit amusement parks, zoos, and shops on days when others are working, making it much quieter. Another added benefit is that when you're working, it's also difficult to spend money, and you might save a bit. Although I dare to doubt that because after paying the bills, there should still be something left to save. And yes... hospitality workers often spend a lot of money in the hospitality sector. Especially after work.

The downside

Working a lot and especially irregularly also has a downside. While it might be nice to have an excuse for Aunt Annie's birthday, it becomes much harder if you can't even take time off to celebrate your children's birthdays. And it's certainly less fun if you - as the only one - always have to skip that beer after the football match because you have to work later. And going away for a weekend in the middle of summer with your friends to a sunny place to let loose is even more difficult.

But well... It's part of it, and working in hospitality is a calling. Then you shouldn't complain and accept that this is just how it is. Right?

Lack of understanding from those around you

Everyone who works or has worked in hospitality knows that the most crucial trait you must possess is that you have to be a bit crazy and mad. And above all, have an immense love and passion for the profession. That feeling is not always easy to explain to those around you. Every hospitality worker has been asked the question: “What time are you done?” Only to answer that you don't know yet. “How come you don't know?” Well, maybe because guests are unpredictable... “But you must know a time...” Pfff... When I still worked in hospitality, my standard answer was: “I'll be done when Easter and Pentecost fall on the same day.” Or, against better judgment, I would mention a time that I couldn't meet afterwards. This was often not appreciated and led to all sorts of frustrations. From those around hospitality workers, there is often a lack of understanding that there are never really clear start and certainly no end times in hospitality. Because there is a lot of passion and love for the profession, hospitality workers often accept this. And even more so: we often defend this to those around us. But let's be honest. Isn't it strange that a hospitality worker doesn't even know when he or she is finished working? Because can you still plan other appointments then?

Schedules announced in time

Not knowing exactly when you're done and/or have to start can already be very annoying. But if you also don't know on which days you have to work or sometimes only find out shortly in advance, it's even more difficult. When can you plan that appointment? In the CLA hospitality, it is agreed that a schedule must be known at least two weeks in advance. Especially now - with the major challenges around the staff shortage - we hear and see more and more that this doesn't happen. Of course, in the Updates difficult circumstances, a call can sometimes be made on the flexibility of the hospitality worker. But then it must be reciprocal. And it is crucial that the employer is also flexible when a hospitality worker wants a day off. It cannot be that a hospitality worker has to organise and adjust their entire life around work.

Sufficient rest is vital

Working in hospitality is like top-level sport. And every top athlete knows that rest is just as important as training and playing matches. For no hospitality worker is it good to work structurally (too) long days and certainly not 6 to 7 days a week. Besides, it is legally prohibited. To continue performing, it is important to sometimes be able to relax and not have to think about work. With the Updates staff shortages, this is a major challenge. Let's please take care of our hospitality workers. Allow them to rest. And rest, in my opinion, also means real rest. Where the hospitality worker is not bothered on their only day off with all sorts of schedule changes or other matters.

The youth of today... we need them badly!

In recent weeks, I have been very annoyed by employers and hospitality workers criticising the attitude of especially young workers: ‘Young people no longer want to work hard, only want to party, prefer to stay at home, etc.’ I totally disagree with this. It makes no sense to make comparisons with the past. Remember that we cannot influence the past, but we can influence the future. If we really want to solve a staff shortage and make hospitality attractive again, it is crucial that we embrace the young, respect their opinion, and understand that they dare to say there is more to life than just work. And that they make a much more conscious choice about whether work really pays off.

Perhaps it's not the attitude of young people that is annoying, but rather the fact that these young people are very consciously advocating for a work-life balance because life is not just about work. This, to be honest, should have happened much earlier!