Beyond human resources management: why employment is the perennial hospitality issue

Purpose This critical reflection seeks to answer why employment remains a perennial challenge in the hospitality industry and calls for both research and practical actions to address this problem, extending beyond the traditional human resource management perspective. Design/methodology/approach This critical reflection paper critically reflects on the important issue of sustainable employment to provide critical pathways for advancing research in this field and provides directions for future research in hospitality management. Findings The findings of this paper outline why employment challenges in the hospitality industry have remained largely unchanged since the 1980s. It emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in addressing employment issues beyond a human resources management perspective, to enhance the dignity of hospitality work and promote employment sustainability. The paper identifies four critical areas requiring collaborative efforts from academia and industry to drive meaningful change. Research limitations/implications This research aims to spark critical discussions in the hospitality industry, which faces persistent labor shortages across all sectors. It highlights key aspects of employment issues and proposes actionable steps toward achieving more sustainable and decent employment. Additionally, it outlines relevant research questions to encourage greater academic engagement in addressing these challenges. Originality/value This research takes a candid approach to addressing the pressing employment challenges in the hospitality industry. It emphasizes that without serious attention to these issues, the industry risks facing a sustained and significant labor crisis. By advocating for a paradigm shift and fostering collective efforts to tackle the identified problems, this study provides a pathway to enhance the decency and sustainability of work in hospitality.