Page 11 - foodservice magazine September 2019

ADVERTORIAL
Making the case for fairer kitchens
If you work in hospitality and feel stressed, anxious or under appreciated, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. In fact, the hospitality industry has been identified as needing to make significant changes in order to improve the welfare of its staff.
Fairness is the way forward
UFS believes there has never been a greater need for a global advocacy programme like #FairKitchens.
Already in Australia, the 65-venue strong Hog’s Australia’s Steakhouse has pledged itself to the programme’s ideals. In fact, the company signed
up the very day it learned about #FairKitchens.
UFS and its partners know that change won’t happen overnight but for the long-term health of the sector and those who derive employment from it, the commitment to shift attitudes is worth the effort.
UFS will publicise the programme and give prominence to businesses that have pledged to meet its ideals. It is hoped the dining public will start choosing restaurants based on them housing a Fair Kitchen.
By raising awareness of the need for cultural change and acknowledging foodservice operators who run Fair Kitchens, UFS and its partners believe they can begin to change the way professional kitchens choose to run their operations.
Research has shown hospitality workers to be at a greater risk than most of depression, substance abuse and anxiety. While unusual hours, a fast-paced environment and dealing with tricky customers are part of the job, unacceptable behaviour inside kitchens such as bullying, intimidation and illegal working conditions are not.
As a company that is deeply aligned with the hospitality sector, Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) believes it is time to shine a light on toxic kitchen
culture where it exists, in an effort to end the talent drain and establish a better understanding of what makes a harmonious and productive workplace.
That’s why UFS is the driving force behind a global movement for positive change.
A good kitchen is a Fair Kitchen
UFS has recently partnered with other like-minded companies to create #FairKitchens, a programme designed to inspire a better kitchen culture in our industry by providing tools and resources to help businesses become
a Fair Kitchen, and publicising the positive actions of operators who treat their staff with decency and respect.
At UFS, we believe it is time for change. While more people than ever
are dining out, fewer are choosing hospitality as a profession.
The industry has a culture problem
and it’s now being exposed in various forms across newspapers, television and social media. From systemic issues around wage theft to a general lack
of care for employee wellbeing, it is likely many of the problems stem from learned behaviours that have become normalised.
This unfortunately extends to
victims; with the fear of losing a job, they choose to remain silent. In addition, many talented people simply leave the industry.
The #FairKitchens movement is anchored in a belief that a positive kitchen culture makes for a healthier business. With a stable staffing group comes a happy and productive team, and your diners will enjoy the best quality offering your team can produce.
Find out more at fairkitchens.com Or share your story at
facebook.com/backofhouse facebook.com/fairkitchens