Launched to coincide with Wellness Week (24 to 30 June) by organisations including Hospitality Jobs UK and KAM Insights, in partnership with technology company Access Hospitality, the survey found that only 54% of workers are happy in their current role, compared with 61% in 2025.
The survey also found that 36% of employees say their job negatively impacts their mental health, up from 32% in 2025.
It also revealed which benefits matter most to hospitality employees. Fair salary, holiday entitlement, training and development opportunities, and flexible hours were ranked as the most important.
Less important were team-building activities, shared parental leave, and food and drink discounts.
The 2026 Hospitality People Survey also highlighted a growing acceptance of AI among hospitality employees, with more than half (52%) now viewing AI as helpful in their job, up from 41% in 2025.
“Our 2026 People Survey shows that hospitality employees value three key things: work-life balance, financial security and career development,” says Champa Magesh, managing director at Access Hospitality.
“As hospitality employees increasingly recognise the potential benefits of AI and other smart tech, it’s important for operators to understand that the technology itself isn’t the answer. The real value comes from choosing the right tools for the right challenges and implementing them in a way that genuinely supports employees by enhancing wellbeing and delivering on the things they value most.”