People

Our greatest asset

Our people are our greatest asset – and we are very proud of the recognition received from independent bodies awarding us in this area. Wetherspoon has been recognised by the Top Employers Institute as a ‘Top Employer United Kingdom’ for 17 consecutive years, including 2020.

42,000 people are employed in our pubs, kitchens and hotels, of whom 800 are based in the Republic of Ireland. The company does not employ anyone below either 16 years of age or the recognised school-leaving age.

Of our staff, 59% are aged 25 years or under; therefore, for many, this is their first experience of working. Many of our employees have chosen to spend their career with us and progressed through the company.

The average length of service for a pub manager is 13.6 years and a kitchen manager 9.6 years, while 22% of hourly paid employees have been with us for over three years.

All staff are employed directly by the company, with the exception of a small number of head-office contractors, involved in specific project work.

Of hourly paid staff, 98% are employed on a guaranteed-hour contract. A minority of employees prefers the flexibility of a contract with no minimum hours. Where these contracts are used, employees receive exactly the same benefits as those on a guaranteed-hour contract, there is no sole-employer restriction and no obligation on employees to accept those hours offered.

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Training and career opportunities (including support with literacy, numeracy and vocational skills)

Our range of our training courses helps to motivate employees, providing them with the necessary skills to carry out their job to a consistently high standard.

The company strives to provide a career, rather than just a job, with those showing promise given the opportunity to progress. The nature of our business means that the company attracts applicants with a range of skills and experience. We offer employees apprenticeships and training programmes throughout their career with the company.

Internal progression is our main source of appointing job roles throughout the company.

All pub- and area-manager vacancies are filled by internal candidates.

In 2020/21, we promoted over 555 hourly paid staff to management positions.

Apprenticeships and qualifications

In the last 12 months, £2.49 million has been paid as an apprenticeship levy.

The apprenticeship programme develops specific skills, as well as improving English and maths through functional skills training.

Pay and rewards

We aim to offer fair and competitive rates of pay and benefits to our staff, including a bonus scheme to all employees.

Pay rates for all employees are above the relevant national minimum wage and national living wage.

In addition to basic pay, all employees are eligible for a company bonus scheme. In the financial year ending July 2021, the company paid £23 million to employees in respect of bonuses and free shares, of which 99.6% was paid to staff below board level and 89.8% to staff working in our pubs.

Since 2005, we have paid around £454 million in bonuses and free shares – 49.3% of the total ‘profit after tax’ for that period (£641 million), excluding 2020 and 2021.