Ward Hadaway backs hospitality leaders to prevent stress and burnout
9th March, 2026
Burnout and workforce disconnection are emerging as serious commercial risks for Greater Manchester’s hospitality sector, according to industry leaders.
At a private roundtable hosted by the Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series and Top 100 law firm Ward Hadaway, senior figures from hotels, venues, restaurants, bars, and event businesses agreed that wellbeing is no longer a “nice to have”; it is directly linked to recruitment, retention, and long-term profitability.
Findings from the Hospitality x GM Wellbeing Series Study, conducted ahead of the event, revealed that 80% of sector leaders now see staff burnout as a material business risk. For an industry still rebuilding after years of disruption, that concern is a critical business issue.
The roundtable discussion prompted calls for practical, low-barrier interventions that can be implemented across organisations of all sizes, from independent operators to large hotel groups. More than 70% of leaders who responded to the survey said they want a single, high-impact ‘moment in the calendar’ to unite their teams, rather than complex, year-long programmes.
Nick Rusling, CEO of the City Wellbeing Series, said the conversation centred on solutions and deep intent to get it right. “Hospitality runs on energy. When teams are exhausted or disconnected, it shows. It becomes apparent in service, in culture, and ultimately in the bottom line. What we heard in the room was not panic, but a commitment to investing in their teams for the long term. Collaboration is critical.”
Attendees also described rising pressure on middle managers, ongoing recruitment challenges, and the loss of experienced staff to other sectors offering more predictable hours and structured wellbeing support.
Liz Bottrill, Executive Partner of Ward Hadaway’s Manchester office, said employers are increasingly aware of their legal and commercial responsibilities. “Workforce wellbeing intersects with risk, compliance, and long-term sustainability. But this conversation was not about minimising exposure to employment disputes; it was about fostering cultures where employees are listened to, empowered, and appreciated. Ambitious hospitality leaders recognise that business success and investment in people are inextricably linked.”
Sacha Lord, Chair of the Night Time Industries Association, added that retaining talent must now be a regional priority. “The sector has lost north of 120,000 workers over the last 18 months. Many positions lost were for young people aged between 18 and 25. If we want Greater Manchester to remain one of the UK’s leading hospitality destinations, we have to make it a sector people choose to build a career in, not one they leave.”
The Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series is bringing businesses together at Heaton Park on 21 May for a city-wide wellbeing event aimed at encouraging collective participation across the sector. With a 5.5K run, a 2K walk, and a collective meditation event scheduled for October, it is designed to be accessible and welcoming to all. Organisations from any sector across the city-region are invited to join the movement and demonstrate their commitment to making Greater Manchester the best place to work, live, and thrive.
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