May 18, 2021

May 18, 2021: Restaurant Workers Don’t Want To Return

21 minutes

There’s a nationwide shortage of restaurant workers and that doesn’t seem likely to stop being an issue anytime soon. On this episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, restaurateur Philip Camino and chef Nyesha Arrington look at the One Fair Wage report and how restaurant workers are saying they don’t want to return after the pandemic.

Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss the restaurant worker shortage:

One Fair Wage report surveyed over 4,300 applicants -- more than half were employed at the time of the survey

76% of restaurant workers are leaving their jobs due to low wages

87% of workers reported tips have decreased since COVID-19, with 67% saying tips have decreased by 50% or more

78% of workers say they’d stay in their job if they could make a full, stable living wage

The difference in a living wage in major markets compared to rural areas

80% of workers say they’ve seen or experienced hostile behavior from customers, especially when enforcing COVID-19 protocols

Roughly ⅓ of restaurant workers have left the industry to find more stable income

Chipotle has upped its worker benefits and incentives, including $6.5 million in discretionary bonuses

Links:

Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram

Happy Mouth’s April 19 episode on restaurant worker shortage

Restaurant Dive - 76% of restaurant workers plan to leave jobs over low wages, tips

KFF - Findings from the KFF Women’s Health Survey

We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows:

Full Comp

The Happy Mouth Morning Show

Restaurant Marketing School

The Playbook

...more

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By Philip Camino & Nyesha Arrington

44 ratings