Hotel Salaries

Hey guys,

The hotel chain I presently work for, Fairmont, just recently inked a deal to purchase the Savoy London. Now, I have been offered a position there as a guest service agent at the Savoy for spring 2005. (They take care of all the work permit issues) However, many have told me hospitality salaries in the UK are horribly underpaid. Is this the case or just simple exaggeration? My question to all you fellow Canucks in the UK, would I be able to live on a hospitality salary. They have not yet confirmed the actual salary, but it would range from 15K pounds to 23K pounds. Any input is greatly appreciated.

JoeyConfused.

lol

I haven't worked in hotels but having worked in the food business for many years, it does seem salaries are low here. It sounds like you'd be lving in London which would be tough on the lower end of the pay scale that you mentioned. It's not impossible but it would be hard. Personally I think it depends of what you are looking for as far as the eperience goes.
If I was young and single I'd jump at the chance to live in London for a while.
I am sure that someone who lives in the area will give you some better advice!

I agree. If you did only get 15K life in London could be tough. Not impossible, just tough. Ideally you'd need some cheap shared accommodation, rather than a flat of your own, and minimum travel costs. You'd probably need to eat all your meals at work (if they're provided free!).

On 23K life would be a lot easier, though you still wouldn't be rich.

Just for comparison, in the corporate sector, a junior secretary in central London would usually be on at least 23K and I'd regard 15K for the job you describe as pretty mean!

Yah it does sound rather sketchy eh? I make like close to $40K CDN in Montreal (low living cost compared to London) so this is why I am hesitating... to give up my "cozy" life in Montreal for a stressful and overpriced London life. I dunno, it has its pros and cons I guess, but I was asking minimun 25K pounds to accept... keep your fingers crossed. Why is it that hotel work is considered low skill in the UK but then Continental Europe and North America consider it to be a "profession", meaning better paid?? It really puzzles me.

The historical background to low pay in the hotel business I think stems from a perceived link with being "in service" (i.e. being a servant) because it's noticeable that any jobs in the UK which fall under this umbrella tend to be low paid - restaurant work being another category.

Since low paid domestic service is more or less a thing of the past, thank goodness, there's no real reason for the low wages to persist. The fact they do, is simply down to economics. Companies in the hospitality sector etc can get enough staff at low wages, so see no reason to increase.

On the upside, you will probably get more annual holiday than you do in Canada. The legal minimum in the UK is 4 weeks with some employers giving more especially after a few years service.

If you're getting $40K in Montreal, I think you're justified in asking for around £25K given the higher cost of living in London, and I hope you get it.

Thanks guys! All this feedback is very helpful! At least it does give me a better perspective on things. I am not sure whether I will go ahead with London, decide to stay here in Canada, or take up a contract in Dubai. I'll keep ya guys posted!

Joey

I worked in a hotel in London over the summer. I was on an annual salary of £12,200.

It was for a switchboard position which apparently was one of the hightest paid switchboard salaries in the city. Front desk staff only made £12,500, which is also what the reservation agents made.

If you get £25K for a hotel job in this city, you are looking at management positions.

Crap crap crap.

If I had been able to start my teaching career in BC I would have been paid 42,000. However, I started my teaching career in Kent and was paid 17001. I find all the jobs here are less than what they would be in Canada - "professional" or not.

Now that's interesting, because last time I was job-hunting in Canada (last spring) I found jobs there in my field, software training, very badly paid - roughly $1 to £1, the holidays were less, and they wanted more in the way of experience, qualifications. I figured I was better off in London.

One thing is for sure, the job markets in the two countries are really different.

Hello,

I work as a computer programmer in Manchester. When I was living in Montreal I earned $37.000/year but here I had to start with £27.000 (4 years ago). I was lucky because it was just after year 2000 and employers were still having problems finding people in my field. But now there is a lot more competition and they pay less.

Most things that cost $1 will cost you £1 so I had to be more careful with my money here.
Food is expensive and also going out !!
I was lucky to be able to buy my house 2 1/2 years ago because now I would not be able to afford it.
I paid £80000 for a semi-detached in Stockport and now it is worth about £135000 !!!

Joanne