The hospitality sector is a dynamic and vibrant industry that thrives on providing exceptional customer experiences. However, this industry also faces numerous challenges, particularly in the realm of human resources (HR).
Addressing Top HR Challenges in Hospitality Industry: A Closer Look at HONO Full-Suite HCM Solutions
6 mins
The hospitality industry has been hit the hardest by the pandemic. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, leisure and hospitality has lost 3.1 million jobs during the pandemic that have yet to return. This represents more than a third of all unemployed persons in the United States. Even more stark, the unemployment rate in the accommodation sector specifically remains 330 percent higher than the rest of the economy.
Between September 2019 and September 2020, the entertainment and recreation sector experienced a significant decline in jobs, plunging by 31%, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In a saturated market, where competition is fierce, it becomes crucial for hospitality businesses to differentiate themselves and address the unique HR challenges they encounter, including recruitment and selection, retention, attendance and leave management, as well as the challenges faced by HR managers.
In this blog, we will delve into the HR challenges in the hospitality industry and explore how HONO Full-Suite HCM Solutions provides effective solutions to address them.
Major HR Challenges in the Hospitality Sector
In addition to the overarching challenges faced by the hospitality industry, HR departments encounter specific issues unique to their domain. Let's take a closer look at some of these HR challenges & solutions
- 1. High Attrition and Labor Cost
Attrition and labor cost are persistent challenges faced by HR managers in the hospitality sector. The industry experiences a relatively high turnover rate, which poses difficulties in maintaining a stable workforce. To address this, hospitality businesses have adopted various strategies, such as improving working conditions, offering transfer opportunities, implementing development plans, and conducting better exit interviews. These initiatives aim to enhance employee satisfaction and reduce turnover rates.
Must Read: BRANDSPEAK | CHRO SPENCER’S: HR-Tech Cut Attrition By 30% (hono.ai)
- Recruitment and Retention: Addressing HR Challenges in Recruitment and Selection
Recruiting and retaining top talent is an ongoing concern for HR managers in the hospitality sector, especially when faced with HR challenges in recruitment and selection. The competitive nature of the industry necessitates attracting skilled individuals who can contribute to the organization's success. Furthermore, addressing these challenges is crucial for retaining employees and fostering their loyalty, ultimately maintaining a stable workforce and reducing turnover.
Also Read: Impact of AI on Talent Management: Streamlining Recruitment Processes - Training and Development
Given the significant presence of expatriate workers in the hospitality sector, HR departments face the challenge of successfully onboarding these employees while adhering to local legal complexities. Ensuring a smooth transition for expatriates, addressing their unique needs, and ensuring compliance with local regulations are essential for their successful integration into the organization.
- Onboarding of Expatriates
Given the significant presence of expatriate workers in the hospitality sector, HR departments face the challenge of successfully onboarding these employees while adhering to local legal complexities. Ensuring a smooth transition for expatriates, addressing their unique needs, and ensuring compliance with local regulations are essential for their successful integration into the organization.
Do Read: Employee Onboarding Software: Top 8 Factors to Help You Choose The Right Option - Transfer and Separation
Facilitating employee transfers within the organization and managing separations effectively are critical HR tasks in the hospitality sector. Seamless transfers allow employees to explore new opportunities within the company, while well-managed separations help ensure a smooth transition for departing employees. - To address these HR challenges, businesses in the hospitality sector have turned to HONO Full-Suite HCM Solutions, an AI-enabled HR technology platform. HONO offers comprehensive modules that target the pain points faced by HR professionals in the industry.

Let's explore how HONO addresses some of the key HR challenges faced in the hospitality sector:
- Leave & Attendance: HONO provides different options for marking attendance, along with basic reports and customized leave setups. This helps overcome the lack of documentation, reducing payroll issues.
- Employee Core & Position Management: HONO's user-friendly interface provides easy access to data-backed insights, enabling HR managers to make informed decisions regarding employee transfers, promotions, and data management.
- PMS (Performance Management System): HONO's Performance management system includes a comprehensive goal and competency library, along with task monitoring capabilities. This facilitates effective performance management and empowers employees to achieve their goals.
- LMS (Learning Management System): HONO's Learning management system offers a content creation and management portal with a gamified learning calendar. It also integrates with popular video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Webex, enhancing the learning experience.
- Employee Separation Management: HONO streamlines the separation process by providing a separation protocol that can be initiated from the HR end. It also calculates separation shortfall days and generates digital documents, reducing administrative burden.
- Recruitment & Onboarding: HONO simplifies the recruitment and onboarding process through features such as calendar blocking, CV parsing, and application tracking. These streamline the process, reducing turnaround time and ensuring a smooth experience for both HR professionals and candidates.
- Confirmation & Transfer: HONO's front-end position mapping feature, along with reminder emails, simplifies the confirmation and transfer process, ensuring timely communication and seamless transitions.
HONO's integrated solutions effectively address the HR challenges faced by the hospitality sector. Its user-friendly interface, coupled with its ability to automate and streamline HR processes, makes it an ideal choice for businesses in the industry.
While initially hesitant, HR teams in the hospitality sector are beginning to recognize the advantages of adopting AI-enabled HCM and HR technology solutions like HONO. They seek high degrees of automation and a user-friendly interface that can empower their staff and streamline their HR processes effectively.
In conclusion, the hospitality sector faces unique HR challenges, ranging from recruitment and retention to training and development. HONO Full-Suite HCM Solutions offers a comprehensive platform that addresses these challenges head-on. By leveraging AI technology and providing user-friendly features, HONO streamlines HR processes, enhances employee satisfaction, and enables organizations to thrive in the competitive hospitality industry.
Request a Demo Now!
Frequently Asked Questions
HCM software automates and streamlines HR processes, making them more efficient and accurate. It provides a centralized platform for managing employee data, tracking performance, facilitating talent acquisition, and improving employee engagement. By leveraging HR management software, organizations can save time, reduce administrative burdens, make data-driven decisions, and enhance overall HR operations.
AI-driven HONO is considered the best HR software due to its innovative use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline and enhance HR processes. Here’s why. It provides actionable, data-driven insights that enable HR professionals to make informed decisions, improving overall organizational effectiveness and strategic planning. HONO automates repetitive and time-consuming HR tasks, allowing HR personnel to focus on more strategic activities, thereby increasing overall productivity and efficiency. HONO is scalable and adaptable, catering to the evolving needs of organizations, regardless of their size or industry.
Choosing the right Employee Management Software involves considering several factors to ensure it meets the organization’s needs. Here’s a guide to help you choose. Clearly define what you need the HRMS software to achieve, considering aspects like attendance tracking, performance management, and employee development. Determine a budget considering both the initial cost and ongoing expenses like subscription fees, updates, and support. Ensure the HCM software integrates seamlessly with other systems and tools used in your organization, such as payroll and attendance systems. Opt for cloud HCM with an intuitive and user-friendly interface to ensure ease of use for both HR personnel and employees. Assess the human capital management solution's security features and its ability to comply with relevant laws and regulations to protect sensitive employee data. By considering the above factors and conducting thorough research, you can select an Employee Management Software that aligns with your organizational goals and enhances overall workforce management.
Team HONO