VERiFAIR aims to establish a formal framework for assessing how hospitality businesses manage workplace structures, governance and employment standards.
The company says that, until now, there has been no unified structure for assessing how employers operate internally and support their teams.
The VERiFAIR Standard is awarded to businesses that complete a verification process involving the submission of workplace policies and demonstration of how those policies are implemented and maintained.
Participating businesses also sign a VERiFAIR pledge committing to ongoing accountability and adherence to fair workplace standards.
Among the first restaurants to receive VERiFAIR verification are Dorian, Humble Chicken, Teal by Sally Abé, Lyla and Ynyshir.
“I created VERiFAIR to introduce independent verification into hospitality and to make workplace accountability visible by creating a trusted reference point for employers, employees and the wider industry alike,” says Murphy.
Beginning her career in restaurant management, working both front of house and as a chef, Murphy has spent 28 years in the hospitality industry.
In 2011, she founded mymuybueno, a private chef agency specialising in permanent placements for individuals and families in private residences, before launching Justine Murphy Talent Management, representing Michelin-starred and emerging culinary talent across the UK.
Sally Abé, a member of the advisory panel, adds: “For too long, hospitality has celebrated excellence on the plate without asking enough questions about what happens behind the scenes.
“As our industry evolves, the way we look after people has to evolve too.
“VERiFAIR is creating greater accountability, transparency and meaningful standards for hospitality workplaces, building a framework that values people as much as performance.
“I’m proud to support something that’s helping push our industry towards a healthier and fairer future.”
As part of its wider industry initiative, VERiFAIR has also announced plans to conduct an annual anonymised Hospitality Workplace Survey across the UK.
The eight-week survey will gather data on employee experiences and workplace standards, with findings published annually on the organisation’s website.
VERiFAIR says the long-term aim is to provide measurable insight into sector-wide progression and workplace standards across the industry.