Silver servers: Over 50s boost retirement income with hospitality jobs

Growing numbers of workers over 50 are taking on jobs in the UK’s pubs, restaurants and hotels in order to boost their retirement income as the sector’s labour shortage and rising cost of living prompts a shift in its workforce.

The latest Caterer.com Hospitality Hiring Insider, which analyses job ad data and the views of 600 hospitality professionals, has found that more than 130,000 over 50s are working in the sector to boost pension savings, and hospitality employers have seen a surge in applications from this demographic.

While hiring in some sectors has started to slow, the research shows that the business energy price cap and World Cup are boosting hiring in the sector, and data from Caterer.com shows hiring demands are consistent with 2019 levels, despite the cost-of-living crisis.

While demand for workers has remained resilient, hospitality in the UK continues to be challenged by a shrinking talent pool, with Caterer.com research revealing some 200,000 international workers have left the sector since 2019.

As a result, hospitality businesses are actively hiring from “less traditional” talent pools and a quarter (25 per cent) of employers believe workers over 50 will be important in helping to solve the sector’s labour shortage.

The research suggests that the cost-of-living crisis is a key motivator in tempting over 50s into the sector and the majority (70 per cent) of hospitality employers note that cost-of-living crisis is driving more people aged over 50 to boost their income by working in hospitality.

However, the research also suggests much more can be done by employers to support this demographic; just 16 per cent run an active returner or re-entry programmes for over 50s to help increase the number of these workers in their organisation.

Kathy Dyball, director at Caterer.com, commented: “Brexit, the pandemic, and the cost of living crisis have combined to bring about the most dramatic transformation our sector’s workforce has ever seen.

“While it will take time to address long-established labour shortages, it’s encouraging to see employers broadening the range of candidates they’re targeting. Workers over 50 are hugely valued by the hospitality industry and we need to do more to highlight the vast range of roles available that can suit people of any working age.

“Jobs in hospitality offer tremendous flexibility, a secure income, and can be truly rewarding. We encourage employers to review all stages of their hiring process, from job adverts to employee benefits, to ensure they consider applicants of all ages equally.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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