Tackling the physical demands of hospitality

Some jobs in hospitality are known to be physically challenging, but not taking it seriously can lead to serious issues down the line. 

Striking the balance is therefore key, says Camilla Woods, Services Director at UK charity Hospitality Action.

Whether you are a chef, KP or work front of house, there is one thread that ties all of them together – they are all physically demanding.

With the right support and the right considerations for one’s own physical and mental health, these roles can provide an exciting way to contribute to the hospitality industry while also keeping active.

The unfortunate truth, however, is that the physical impacts of the job are rarely discussed. Left unaddressed, they can have lasting consequences on health, morale and career longevity.

The good news is that there are simple solutions, but it starts with empowering hospitality staff to speak up to better identify where changes might be needed.

Identifying issues early

In one of our recent Employment Assistance Programme (EAP) webinars, we discussed the importance of identifying physical issues early and not leaving them to potentially become worse over time.

We often see issues such as lower back pain and neck strain among hospitality staff, yet we see far too many grin and bear it in the hope that it will eventually get better. Even primarily desk-based jobs, such as receptionists, aren’t exempt from these sorts of issues, as static positions for extended hours can be just as harmful.

Simple yet preventive measures, such as regular stretching, can help. It takes very little space to stretch and even simple movements can do wonders for taking our body out of that stressful posture position.

With that said, all the stretching in the world won’t help if you don’t have the right setup and tools & clothing to do your job. Hospitality staff should feel empowered to speak up if they feel a work environment could be improved or if they don’t have the right tool for the task at hand, especially so if these limitations are having a negative impact on their physical health.

It's also about spotting these issues early. Early intervention can prevent bigger issues down the line, so if a pain or discomfort is new or unexpected, it’s important to address it right away.

Impact on wellbeing

When it comes to wellbeing though, physical health is just one piece of the puzzle. Be it physical, mental, emotional or financial, these different areas of wellbeing all interlink, and one without the other can soon end up impacting other areas.

With poor physical health for example, it’s especially important to ensure enough time to fully rest and recover. High stress levels or exhaustion can not only exacerbate physical issues, but they can then begin to impact our mental health, such as increasing levels of anxiety, our emotional health by impacting our ability to effectively deal with difficult situations, and our financial health if the impact leads us to being unable to do our job.

Physical health should therefore not be thought of in isolation. Encouraging staff to invest in self-care before, during and after shifts is now essential to ensure their continued wellbeing.

Leading by example

For change to be truly sustainable though, it must be led from the top. Managers set the tone by not only creating environments for healthy working, but by investing in these initiatives themselves. When staff see their management practice what they preach by prioritising their own physical and mental health, it sends a powerful message, that wellbeing matters. As a result, they are much more likely to take it on board and incorporate practices into their own lives too.

Simple yet effective measures like flexible scheduling and regular breaks, access to fitness programmes such as gym memberships, and the provision of ergonomic tools & equipment can go a long way in supporting teams. Additionally, implementing an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) can unlock access to a wealth of essential resources from mental health support and holistic wellness platforms to financial guidance at minimal cost to a business.

It's also about encouraging open discussions with management about these issues, as staff should feel empowered to bring issues to their employer, no matter how small, when it comes to their wellbeing and know they will be heard and supported.

Ultimately, hospitality will always be an industry that has high physical demands, which is precisely why long-term change is so important. If we want to build sustainable careers and deliver exceptional guest experiences, we must tackle the physical demands of the job with the same passion, precision and care we give to our customers.

The choice is clear: support the health and wellbeing of hospitality professionals or risk losing them. Let’s ensure that behind every smile is a healthy, supported individual who is empowered to thrive, and not just simply survive, in their role.

To find out more about Hospitality Action’s Employee Assistance Programme, visit www.hospitalityaction.org.uk/eap or call 0203 004 5515