Modern labour markets

The hospitality industry is a major adopter of a wide range of flexible working practices, to meet fluctuating trading patterns with part-timers, casual workers, sub-contractors and, in recent times, ‘gig’ economy workers and employees working remotely. This chapter sets out to examine the nature of the labour market, its structures, and the influences on the contemporary labour market from both the labour demand side (the employers) and the labour supply side (the employees). It also outlines the characteristics of flexible working arrangements, the different types of roles within hospitality settings that are providing such flexibility accelerated through Covid-19 and sustained through economic and digital technology developments. The chapter ends with reflection on a mini case study of a country pub business and a set of discussion topics and questions.