Absence in Hospitality: Understanding the Real Reasons and the Right Solutions

The hospitality industry thrives on energy, precision, and care - but life’s demands can pull team members away from the floor, kitchen, or front desk at any moment. Our recent Mental Health survey reveals that absences often stem from personal challenges, family commitments, and wellbeing needs that deserve understanding and support.

The latest data highlights the real pressures hospitality employees face - and the vital opportunity for businesses to respond with empathy and practical solutions.

The Main Reasons Employees Take Time Off

According to our recent Mental Health 2025 survey, in the past three years, 59% of hospitality staff have needed to take time away from work.

The reasons include:

Physical health issues: 51%
Bereavement: 28% • Mental health days: 21%
Caring for children: 20%
Relationship breakdown: 13%
Caring and wider family responsibilities: 13%
Financial difficulties: 10%
Other factors: 10%

This range is a clear reminder that absence is often connected to much more than illness alone, work and personal life pressures frequently intersect.

What’s Behind These Absences?

The hospitality sector’s unique demands can make recovery and coping even harder. Survey insights reveal:

Burnout has become commonplace: Of the roughly 40% of staff who feel they have a poor work/life balance 47% of respondents (and 62% of junior team members) worryingly describe burnout as simply “part of the job.” Among those with this view, 61% experienced poor mental health in the past year.
Work/life balance is a persistent challenge: 61% of employees say managing it is a top concern, while only 59% feel they’ve achieved it.
Family pressures and caring duties are widespread: 1 in 5 have taken time off to care for children, and 13% for broader family needs, demonstrating just how much personal responsibilities affect attendance.
Financial strain plays a growing role: 47% now count money worries as a major challenge for their mental wellbeing.

The Impact on Teams and Operations

Absences due to these varied reasons not only signal individual need - they also shape team dynamics and business outcomes. When the root causes aren’t addressed, teams can face:

Increased risk of burnout among remaining staff as they cover shifts or take on extra responsibilities.
Higher rates of turnover as personal struggles and stress go unaddressed.
Lower overall morale and a greater risk of repeat absences.

How EAP Support Makes a Measurable Difference

Hospitality Action’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is designed with these realities in mind, offering tangible, confidential support for the exact issues that drive absence.

Hospitality Action’s EAP outcomes from recent data:

82% of employees referred to counselling through the EAP reported improved work performance.
73% experienced better attendance following support.
Absence rates fell by 57% after intervention - from 44% down to just 19%.

With access to an EAP, employees get professional help with mental health, bereavement, relationship worries, caring responsibilities, and financial strain - meaning issues can be managed proactively, not when it’s too late.

Let’s start the conversation. Contact our team to discover how Hospitality Action’s EAP can make a difference for your business and your people.

Building a Culture Where Absence Drops and Resilience Rises

Supporting employees goes beyond ticking boxes - it’s about recognising that life’s pressures affect some aspect of every team. Providing the right support, such as an EAP, helps:

Prevent small issues from becoming major absences
Get staff back to work sooner, feeling healthier and stronger
Build a loyal, resilient team ready to deliver outstanding service

Focusing on prevention and timely assistance is a win-win: team members feel looked after, and businesses thrive with a more stable, present, and motivated workforce.

Ready to see how our support can transform your business?