Contracting survey sees rise in part-timers

Contract caterers are employing more part-time workers and fewer full-timers, according to the 2001 contract catering survey published by the British Hospitality Association (BHA) this week.

Compared with 2000, the number of part-time workers rose by 18% to 66,500, and full-time staff fell by 4% to 99,600.

Despite the rise in part-time workers, the total wage bill went up to £1.55b, an increase of 8.1% compared with 2000.

The BHA said the rise in the national minimum wage last October, costs caused by high staff turnover, and new legislation in areas such as holiday pay for casual staff and paternity leave continued to put pressure on labour costs.

The survey showed a growing trend towards contracts that required contractors to invest money in their clients' catering facilities.

In 2001, contract caterers spent £130m in the 2,200 contracts where investments were made.

A BHA spokesman said it was a positive development: "It's a trend that will continue. Clients are now expecting investment, because they want contractors to take some element of the risk. This results in most of the contracts being longer than the normal three years."

Turnover for the industry rose from £3.3b in 2000 to £3.5b last year. The BHA said its survey accounted for about 85% of the contract catering industry, taking in 16 companies including the giants, Aramark, Avenance, Sodexho and Compass.