Two thirds of hospitality workers are stressed and most cannot switch off.

Two-thirds (65%) of UK hospitality workers say they are stressed at work. Most (95%) find it difficult to switch off when they return home.

According to a survey by workforce management software company Quinyx, three quarters (75%) are contacted by their employers on their social media accounts, like WhatsApp.

The survey found that UK hospitality workers are more likely to experience job-related stress than those in other sectors, such as retail and warehousing. They are also less likely to be able ‘to leave work behind’ after a shift.

Nearly half (49%) all UK hospitality workers reported that their job had a negative effect on their mental or physical health.

Three-quarters of employees are contacted by their bosses using WhatsApp for work messages.

Nearly half (47%) of the 95% hospitality workers who say they think about their work after hours are thinking how they can improve their performance and benefit their company.

In their free time, slightly more than a quarter (37%) worried about their low wages and a similar percentage (34%) thought about their stressful workplace.

Toma Pagojute is the chief HR officer of Quinyx. She highlighted that government decisions to abandon plans to legislate a “right to switch off” could be especially damaging for hospitality workers.

It appears that businesses will be asked instead to create their own codes. She said that she was concerned about the ease with which businesses could let standards slip, particularly in an industry as fast-paced as hospitality.

“WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media may be convenient for business conversations but the work/life boundary becomes blurred. It’s no surprise that hospitality staff find it difficult to switch off. Employers should also consider the data protection implications.

The hospitality industry is notorious for its breakneck pace and the staff are always at their best. Staff will either quit or suffer from physical and mental illness if there are no cast-iron rules to guarantee uninterrupted time off. It could be disastrous in either case for the industry, unless it is given priority.