The Media's False Narrative is Sabotaging the Hospitality Industry

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The recent announcement by the British government to increase the national living wage to £11 an hour by 2024 is indeed a breath of fresh air. It's a necessary cushion against the rising cost of living and an uncertain future.

But let's put a pause on the applause and shift our focus to the media's narrative surrounding this development.

Isn't it curious how the hospitality industry, once again, finds itself the poster child for low wages?

Just one example

The media's portrayal of the hospitality sector is not only misleading, but it is also damaging to the industry's potential to attract fresh, young talent. By painting a picture of hospitality as a realm of low-paid servitude, they're effectively waving a red flag to parents and potential entrants.

The message? "Steer clear of these jobs. You're better than this."

So let's compare apples to apples. This is by no means an attack on the media industry, but simply us shining their own spotlight back on them.

The media industry is rarely criticised for its pay scales.

A ‘runner' in the media industry, an entry-level role, earns an average salary of £23,633. Meanwhile, a ‘runner' in the hospitality industry, often seen as the lowest rung, earns on average between £24,960 - £29,120. Surprised?

(We’re basing this on our clients, who offer typically £12-14 per hour for these roles)

The media would counter-argue that the low entry-level salaries in their industry are justified by the promise of lucrative opportunities down the line. Really? The truth is, the hospitality industry is no less capable of springing such opportunities.

This is evident when we compare the average salary of a News Producer (average: £38,999) with that of an assistant restaurant manager (£40-45,000) or an assistant general manager (£50-53,000) with our recent clients.

It's clear again that the hospitality industry isn't trailing behind.

Perhaps it's the working conditions that are concerning?

A quick glance at reviews on job rating websites reveals the media industry is far from perfect, with runners often facing long hours and a lack of respect - something the hospitality industry is also often judged upon.

We're not suggesting that the hospitality industry is without its flaws. Every industry has room for improvement. However, consciously or unconsciously depicting hospitality as the face of low wages and hard lives is unjust. The industry deserves recognition and respect for bringing joy to our lives, not shame.

The unfair portrayal of hospitality as an industry for the unskilled and indecisive is far from reality. Hospitality offers a platform for individuals to thrive, learn, and grow.

It is not just a stepping stone; it is a career choice filled with opportunities to earn well, travel the world, and develop personally and professionally.

So here's our call to action:

We need to change the narrative and shine a light on the opportunities within the hospitality industry. Let's encourage more people to explore the opportunities within its realms and watch it flourish.

After all, isn't it time we recognised the value of an industry that impacts so positively on all our lives?

Perhaps the media industry could learn something from hospitality there...