A group of business travel and hospitality
leaders have come together to form a support network to help those made redundant in the
current crisis to get career advice, find new employment and improve their mental health.
Hugs UK is a free-to-use coaching service founded by Pauline
Houston, vice president, global commercial enablement at BCD Travel (pictured), Richard
Bantock, cluster commercial director for Hilton and employment coach John
Marron.
The group, which has attracted
more than 1,000 followers on LinkedIn in two weeks, offers guidance to members on CVs and LinkedIn profiles as well as help
with job applications, interview preparation, interview techniques, up-skilling
and career diversification.
The founders are joined by Kathleen
Edwards, head of glh venues, marketing strategist
Jennifer Howland and 50 career coaches, known as Huggers. All involved are
working as unpaid volunteers.
Houston said, “The
hospitality, travel and events sector has been one of the hardest hit
industries, as a direct result of Covid-19 lockdowns, government operational
and quarantine restrictions. Daily we are hearing of more and more redundancies,
with a recent estimate stating that there could be as many as three million
people globally who will have lost their jobs in hospitality, travel and events
by the end of 2020.”
She added: “With
fewer open roles, the competition is fierce and for some this is the first time
in a long time that they have been unemployed or are having to join the masses
in applying for a limited number of roles.”
The group is
also supporting members with their wellbeing.
“We are also now
seeing a significant rise in the level of mental fragility in candidates as
they become more desperate in their job search, losing their sense of purpose
or even in fear of losing their homes," said Houston. "We plan to run a number of mental
wellness seminars and connections to professional services for escalated
support."
“Additionally,
we want to support those who are still in work and feeling the strain of having
to take on responsibilities outside of their sphere of experience, working many
more hours than they were being paid for, suffering significant wage cuts and
potentially having survivors guilt. All whilst worrying that their name may be
on the next list of roles to be cut.”
Hugs UK can be contacted via their LinkedIn page or by email at [email protected].