HOSPITALITY GROUP DOUBLES DOWN ON COMMITMENT TO YOUNG WORKERS – DESPITE PANDEMIC IMPACT
Despite the shocking year that the hospitality industry has suffered since the Covid-19 outbreak started, the UK’s leading managed pub company and brewer Greene King has become the latest firm to join the Good + Fair Employers Club.
Graham Briggs, the company’s Head of Apprenticeships and Employability Programmes, told us he his proud of how the firm has risen to huge challenges this year. Early on, decisions were made at a senior level to double down on commitments to the firm’s own staff, partners (including pub landlords) and the wider community.
Innovations have included setting up a team member support fund of £500,000 to support Greene King team members who were in the greatest financial need (partnering with the Licensed Trade Charity who administered this on their behalf). This fund was partly paid for by salary sacrifices from Greene King’s executive board and senior leaders in the business who took pay cuts to contribute to the fund.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT: Graham with Greene King’s apprenticeships manager Charlotte Hewson (before social distancing!)
On joining the Good + Fair Employers Club and looking to the future, Graham said:
“Having seen the fantastic work that the Good + Fair Employers Club and its members have achieved over the years, Greene King is delighted to now be involved. With our established programmes and the experience of existing members, it’s important that we all share ideas and opportunities that will really benefit communities and young people across the UK.”
Tanya de Grunwald, founder of the Good + Fair Employers Club, said:
“Greene King’s decision to join the Good + Fair Employers Club is particularly striking as hospitality has been one of the hardest hit industries in the past year. We applaud their efforts to stick with their values during such turbulent times, and their achievements are impressive.
“Happily, they are not unusual in saying that the pandemic has reminded them what is important to their business, at its core. We continue to be delighted that a growing number of firms are approaching us saying they are keen to hear more about our Club. In pretty much every business, in every industry, difficult decisions are being made right now. But it is heart-warming to see that – despite what the news headlines say – the best employers are not abandoning their commitments to young people, whether that means those employed by them currently, or those who might work for them in the future. The best UK companies recognise that young people play a vital role in pushing their business forward, and that their hard work, enthusiasm, ideas and creativity are assets that no firm can succeed without.
“We look forward to seeing Graham and the Greene King team at our Good + Fair Employers Club sessions in the near future (flexi-furlough allowing!) and to hear more about how their firm is innovating within their industry when it comes to hiring and retaining young talent. We are particlarly keen to hear more about their work with ex-offenders, and supported internships, for young people with additional needs.”
JOIN US! We are keen to hear from all big UK organisations who are confident they are a ‘good + fair’ employer of young people. Click the image for more details
