USA| Amid strong shortages for staff and trends for job-hopping, a new poll has sent an urgent message to employers.
As the hospitality industry continues to grapple with high turnover and talent shortages, a new OysterLink poll reveals a clear message from professionals: pay staff well, or risk losing them.
In a recent poll on LinkedIn conducted by OysterLink, 73 percent of respondents said that competitive raises and promotions are the best way for restaurants and hotels to retain top staff. The poll, which drew responses from frontline workers, managers, and hospitality recruiters, underscored the growing importance of salary transparency and financial incentives in retention strategies.
"We're hearing loud and clear that pay is still the top motivator," said Milos Eric, General Manager at OysterLink.
"It's not that culture or training doesn't matter, it's that they can't make up for stagnant wages in a competitive market."
The poll, “How Should Employers Retain Their Best Staff?” found that 18 percent of respondents considered career growth and upskilling as the best method. Seven percent said enhanced culture and benefits were most important to them, while a further two percent chose accepting turnover as the best way to retain staff.
These findings have come in the midst of rising job-hopping trends in hospitality, where workers often switch jobs to accelerate their salary growth. OysterLink data has shown that many frontline roles, such as bartender, line cook, or front office manager, can see significant pay increases within two to four years, especially when moving between employers.
While career development and culture still play a role, respondents overwhelmingly agreed that pay remains the foundation of retention. The survey outlined clearly that it was a fact that employers who fail to adjust wages risk losing their best talent to competitors who will.
This poll is part of OysterLink's ongoing effort to highlight the real experiences and priorities of hospitality professionals across the U.S.
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