For many, a career in the drinks and hospitality industry doesn’t start with a grand plan for future career goals. In fact, for nearly two in five professionals, it’s something they simply “fell into”. Yet, what begins as a chance encounter often blossoms into a lifelong passion. According to the latest results from a new global survey into the drinks industry, a remarkable two-thirds of employees, regardless of how they started, go on to build lasting careers in the sector.
This journey from an accidental start to a dedicated career is a testament to the vibrant, dynamic nature of hospitality.
However, the data reveals a critical make-or-break period where this passion is severely tested and where employers risk losing some of their best people.
The make-or-break moment. Surviving the ‘critical period’
While optimism is high in the first few years, the survey identifies a ‘critical period’ between four and ten years of experience. During this time, dissatisfaction spikes, and employees are most likely to consider leaving their roles for good.
What’s driving this? The data points to peak burnout combined with a growing awareness of inadequate training and unclear opportunities for progression. The top reasons staff consider leaving are clear:
- Salary (59 per cent)
- Long hours (52 per cent)
- Mental health impact (47 per cent)
- Lack of career progression (45 per cent)
More than money. What employees truly need to thrive
While better pay was a key factor across the board, the report shows that retaining talent requires a much deeper investment in people. When asked what would help them advance their careers, aside from more money, employees pointed out the need to access more training (42 per cent) and clearer career pathways (34 per cent).
However, the barriers run deeper than a simple lack of training. The survey reveals a significant ‘guidance gap’, with 39 per cent of employees citing a lack of mentorship as a key obstacle to their progression. This is compounded by a perceived lack of fairness when it comes to their career growth, with a majority of employees (58 per cent) pointing to unclear promotion criteria and inconsistent opportunities. Employees need to be able to trust their managers and feel their progression in the business is based on merit not favouritism.
Another factor highlighted in the report that cannot be ignored is mental wellbeing. While an overwhelming 85 per cent of employees state that mental health support is important, only 40 per cent believe their workplace provides enough. This support gap is felt acutely, with stress and burnout (62 per cent) and a poor work-life balance (41 per cent) being the top two factors that negatively impact mental health in the workplace.
So, how can employers bridge this gap?
The answers lie in fostering a culture that invests in its people’s professional development and personal wellbeing. The survey reveals that the most positive impacts on mental health come from strong team collaboration (54 per cent) and a positive workplace culture (45 per cent). This requires investing in leadership training to equip managers with the skills to create supportive environments, foster open communication, and reduce the stigma around mental health discussions.
On the training front, development must be practical and directly linked to progression. Career growth is significantly boosted by supportive team dynamics (34 per cent) and recognition for performance (35 per cent). Simple, practical initiatives can also have a major impact. For instance, nearly a third of employees haven’t taken part in valuable industry competitions simply because the opportunity was never presented to them by their employer. Fostering growth is not just about formal courses, but about creating an environment of opportunity, recognition and genuine support.
Nurturing passion into a lifelong career
The drinks and hospitality industry has an incredible ability to inspire loyalty. But this passion cannot be taken for granted. To combat the ‘critical period’ drain and build a sustainable, thriving workforce, employers must invest in the long-term journey of their people.
The insights in this report offer a clear roadmap. To explore the complete findings and discover actionable strategies to support your team at every stage of their career, download the full report now.
Photograph: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels
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