Workers' Experiences of Low- Paid Work: - A Snapshot of the Hospitality Industry

These designations employed and the presentation of the material do not imply on the part of the funders or authors the expression of any opinion whatsoever concerning the legal status of any country or territory, or of its authorities or the delimitation of its frontiers. [...] In interviews with workers over a 12-month period, the research is seeking to understand: ■ The demands and challenges of sustaining employment in the hospitality sector over time; ■ The impacts of working in the hospitality sector upon the wider household, specifically children and families; and ■ What needs to change for employees working in the sector. [...] The sample of workers in this research reflects Labour Force Survey data (for October – December 2019) regarding age and gender: the average age of workers in the accommodation and food sector is 34 and over 50% of employment in the sector is made up of women (Fraser of Allander Institute, 2020). [...] In this research, hourly pay of participants ranges from minimum wage (£9.50 per hour at the time of interviews) up to £16.78 per hour, with the median pay being £10.55 per hour (median hourly pay in the sector in the UK in 2022 was £10).5 The majority of the eight workers in senior/management positions in this research largely earn above median pay (with the exception of one team leader who we es. [...] 26 Serving the Future Conclusions This research with hospitality workers reveals that experiences of working in the sector are mixed and complex: many workers reported positive examples of job quality and good practice, but this was mixed in with challenging and negative experiences of working in the sector.