New Covid measures set to trigger mental health worries among hotel staff and patrons

Constant Covid restriction changes are causing anxiety and depression among SA’s hospitality workers, with huge numbers worried about their mental health.

The deteriorating mental health of hospitality workers, and their customers, from repeated Covid restrictions in South Australia has forced the industry’s peak body to create an Australian-first wellbeing program.

The Check Inn-Mental Health and Wellbeing in Hospitality program comes at a critical time for the industry which on Thursday endured a sixth Covid-related restriction change to venue capacity since March 23, 2020.

The purpose developed program was sparked by Adelaide University findings that 85 per cent of SA hotel employees were worried about their mental health concerns, followed by 72 per cent of managers and 65 per cent of patrons.

Strathmore Hotel Manager Tim Riemann and food and beverage staff member Lisa Clare. Picture: Keryn Stevens

The research, by the university’s SA Centre for Economic Studies commissioned by the Australian Hotel Association (SA Branch), involved a survey of 120 SA industry members within one month of the November 2020 lockdown – which cost the local sector in excess of $100 million.

AHA SA general manager Ian Horne said the findings were worrying, though not surprising.

He said reports of increased anxiety, depression, stress and concern over mental health was at the forefront of discussions he’d had with most hospitality industry members over the past 16 months.

Mr Horne said establishing a tailored hospitality mental health program was critical to saving lives as the ongoing impact of Covid on the industry was not abating. He said the recently launched Check-Inn program was the first of its kind.

Strathmore Hotel food and beverage attendant Lisa Clare said understanding, explaining, policing and enforcing ever-changing Covid restrictions was stressful and frustrating and added to the worry of financial insecurity.

Hotel managers across the state have had to cut employee shifts this weekend due the new 50 per cent density rule, deal with disappointed customers whose functions, some planned for months, have been cancelled at the last minute, and explain new measures to frustrated staff and confused patrons, as well as carry the stress and financial burden of lost trade.

“This had been the most challenging time in my career,” said Strathmore Hotel manager Tim Riemann, in the city.

Mr Riemann, who’s worked in the industry for more than 20 years, said the Check-Inn program would reassure staff and managers that they were not alone, have access to industry-specific support and do not need to suffer in silence.

Developed by the AHA SA Branch and funded by work injury insurer EML, the Check-Inn program offers free podcasts covering wellbeing, resilience, and customer service, plus online workshops and face-to-face sessions, involving a qualified psychologist.

For more information visit ahasa.com.au

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