STAFFING CHALLENGES AND EMPLOYEE STABILITY IN HOTEL OPERATIONS

Abstract

Purpose. This study explores staffing challenges in hotel operations and analyzes how workforce pressures affect employee stability and corporate social responsibility practices

Design/methodology/approach. A mixed-method design was used for the study. Quantitative data were collected through a survey of 56 hotel managers representing several hospitality markets, while qualitative interviews were conducted to provide additional managerial insights. The analysis focuses on workforce conditions in major operational departments, including housekeeping, kitchen, food and beverage service, and front office operations.

Findings. The results indicate that labor-intensive departments face the strongest staffing pressure. Burnout, lack of qualified employees, and wage-related concerns were identified as interconnected factors contributing to workforce instability. Hotels mainly respond through salary adjustments, migrant labor, and digital technologies, although these measures appear to provide mostly short-term operational support.

Originality. The study contributes to hospitality workforce research by showing that staffing instability develops through several interconnected organizational pressures rather than through a single labor-related problem. It also highlights the role of employee well-being and workforce sustainability within corporate social responsibility practices

Keywords: Corporate social responsibility; Workforce management; Hospitality industry; Labor shortages; Employee well-being