Hong Kong\u2019s hospitality sector faces a critical challenge: there are 25 per cent fewer full-time staff post-pandemic, according to figures from the city\u2019s Hotels Association. For restaurants and hotels striving to recover from pandemic losses, this shortage threatens their ability to bounce back and maintain service quality for more cost-conscious and discerning clientele.<\/p>\n
The problem is compounded by a fundamental shift in the workforce. Many workers left Hong Kong during the pandemic, and those who remained have become more selective about their employment. \u201cMany [younger people] are also chasing for meaning and purpose in their jobs \u2026 so they don\u2019t last very long [in frontline work] and may change jobs quickly,\u201d said Geoffrey Yau, a co-founder of employment agency Moovup, in 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cRestaurants are struggling to source reliable staff promptly, which can significantly impact service quality and operational efficiency,\u201d says Sandip Gupta, managing director of Hong Kong restaurant group S&S Hospitality. \u201cFinding and hiring temporary or shift staff in Hong Kong has become increasingly challenging due to a shrinking pool of young people keen on joining the hospitality industry, ongoing labour market fluctuations and a high demand for skilled hospitality workers.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/div>Today, flexible working options and well-being are top priorities for jobseekers across all sectors. Couple this with the \u201clily pad\u201d mentality \u2013 a job-hopping culture synonymous with Gen Z \u2013 and employers are no longer able to enjoy the same loyalty from temporary staff. As traditional worker commitment to a career at a single company wavers, the hiring process is becoming a more incessant and repetitive cycle.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe perception of the hospitality industry can be pretty daunting. It\u2019s demanding and often offers little social life,\u201d says Gupta. \u201cToday, many dedicated professionals seek greater flexibility, either to balance personal obligations or achieve a better work-life balance.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a time, Facebook emerged as an unlikely solution. The social media platform evolved into a bustling marketplace for shift work, favoured for its transparent pay rates and real-time communication. It was especially popular with overseas workers unfamiliar with the local market.<\/p>\n
However, its speed came at a cost: a complete lack of vetting. It quickly became a fast but somewhat unreliable source for staff. This gap in the market is precisely what new Hong Kong-born digital platform Shift Happens aims to fill. Jeff Alam, who has wide experience in the industry, co-developed the platform with hospitality management professional Steve Cromie because he felt both sides of the recruitment process \u201cdeserve better\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n