News

Wetherspoon is committed to ensuring that those with disabilities are supported and encouraged to apply for employment and, if they wish to do so, to progress in the company. Every reasonable effort will be made to enable those with disabilities to be recruited and retained, by making investigations and implementing reasonable adjustments.

We feature in yesterday’s Financial Times 2024 list of companies championing workplace inclusion.
 
The list is compiled based on research assessing employees’ perceptions of companies’ success in promoting various aspects of diversity, such as gender balance, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age and disability.

In addition to the survey’s responses, Statista searched data in the public domain and carried out further research to investigate companies’ commitment to establishing inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.

In October, as part of their continued professional development, 39 Wetherspoon managers have embarked on a new apprenticeship journey in collaboration with Leeds Beckett University.

We believe in investing in our people – with the level 5 operations/departmental manager and level 6 chartered manager degree apprenticeships offering managers opportunities for continual growth and progression. Among other things, our apprentices cover modules in project management, strategic leadership, risk analysis, leadership and talent development.

Through offering practical on-the-job experience, along with face-to-face and virtual classroom learning, apprenticeships provide managers with a valuable blend of skills and knowledge which they can use to help to lead and grow their pub teams and deliver positive results.

Some of our apprentices shared their thoughts.

“I’ve been in the industry for 25 years and have never known a training and development programme like I’ve received in my first few months at Wetherspoon.”

“I feel so lucky that I’ve been given a second chance at education. I left school with few qualifications – and, years later, Wetherspoon is supporting my study to help me to develop, both professionally and personally.”

We wish all of our apprentices the best of luck on their programme.

My story began back in 2009 when I was a part-time associate looking to earn some extra cash during my student years. I was drawn to Wetherspoon because it was one of the busiest places and seemed like a lot of fun.

Before completing my university education, I became a team leader – and my growth didn’t stop there. Quickly climbing the ranks, I achieved a management position. It’s interesting how life takes unexpected turns: aspiring for a career in graphics, I had initially sworn against running a pub. However, the job’s social aspect and its competitive pay convinced me to apply for further progression.

Over the years, the company has aimed consistently to enhance our work-life balance and elevate our pay… something I deeply value. Each day brings a new challenge, and I find that this constant stimulation keeps me actively engaged, allowing me to enjoy my role as a pub manager to the fullest.

My favourite memories are those involving the transformation of employees who started at the pub feeling shy, lacking self-confidence or struggling with social situations. Watching them progress in the company, or even if they moved on, flourishing with newfound self-confidence and friendships, has been incredibly rewarding.

Wetherspoon provides an extensive support network, readily accessible to anyone seeking assistance. Whether it’s fellow managers, head office or operations managers, I’ve always felt supported, whenever I needed advice.

For me, a significant personal milestone was achieving the role of pub manager at a place I had always held close to my heart. Over the past five years, we’ve achieved consistent results – a testament to my team’s dedication and hard work.

Wetherspoon has been not just a job, but a journey of growth, friendships and personal achievement. I’m eager to continue contributing to a company which values its people and strives for excellence. Here’s to many more exciting chapters in this remarkable journey!

I started the degree apprenticeship when working as a shift manager in a pub. One of the reasons for joining the programme was to try to take the next step in my career, as well as helping with my personal development. Around half way through the apprenticeship, the opportunity arose for me to apply for a new position as a pub manager.

I was successful in this and was appointed, in March 2023, as pub manager of The Harry Clasper (Whickham). My area manager said that the degree had contributed in his decision to appoint me in the role.

I believe that doing the degree apprenticeship has given me the skills and knowledge which aided my success in the application process. It has also helped me to settle in my new job role, as I am a lot more confident in my own ability to perform to the expected standard.

The degree has helped me not only professionally, but also personally. I am a lot more aware of how I come across – not only as a manager, but as a person too. My business knowledge has increased which has helped my decision-making and made me more aware of the impact which my choices have and why I am making them.

The apprenticeship has allowed me to meet a wide range of people I would never have met if it weren’t for the course and making new friendships in the business.

My pub manager at the time of the degree’s start was amazing, as well as the support from the company, giving me a weekly study day incorporated into my 40-hour working week.

I started at Wetherspoon while studying for a degree in musical theatre. I completed my training quickly and received several promotions to become shift manager, enjoying my role at Wetherspoon so much that I decided to stay.

In my last year at university, my friends – who had observed me struggling to meet deadlines and witnessed the difficulty I’d had socially and with my impulsive behaviour – suggested that I should speak to a doctor about the possibility that I might have ADHD.

I received my diagnosis in January 2022. Although, at first, I struggled with the diagnosis, I was able to take control after receiving counselling. I also started boxing lessons and pushing my energy into work as a way of keeping me grounded and getting fit.

I contacted the ADHD service to speak about medication, which helped with my mood and concentration. I was able to speak openly about my struggles to my work team and felt, by doing this, that I could hopefully become an approachable person for anyone else struggling with the same condition. The company has helped me by putting in place reasonable adjustments, meaning that I am able to perform my duties with more ease.

The team has supported me when I have had fights coming up, celebrating my success outside of the workplace, by ensuring that my schedule makes space for training sessions. Had I been in a less flexible work environment, I wouldn’t have been able to maintain this hobby.

I felt upset that I received my diagnosis too late to have received the support which I needed during my time in education – and shared my feelings with my mum. I feel that I could’ve done so much better, had I known earlier.

I’ve always had a passion for learning and find that I enjoy work more when learning new skills or teaching someone else. When I heard about the level 3 food and beverage apprenticeship, I jumped at the opportunity, thinking that I would at least be gaining another qualification while deciding what my next step was. By the end of the apprenticeship (in which I received a distinction), I had made up my mind that I really enjoyed working for Wetherspoon – and the next step was the degree apprenticeship.

I started this in July 2023 and have since been able to speak to my area manager about my struggles, again receiving reasonable adjustments to support me. I am also in the process of receiving more support through university.

I truly feel that I’ve been handed a second chance in life. I would never have imagined that a part-time job, while a musical theatre student, could turn out to be a complete career change (for the better) – and can’t see myself changing a thing.

If she had known about apprenticeships earlier, my mum always says that she’d never have steered me or my brother towards university, since we are both very much hands-on people. She loves to see my achievements and so does the rest of my work team.

John joined The Palladium as a kitchen associate in 2003 from another pub group, after approaching the pub’s manager, Steve.

John’s wife, Susie, joined The Palladium later in 2003 and is now kitchen manager at The Market Cross, working with their son Luke, who is a kitchen associate there.

There have been brief periods where the couple have worked together, yet mostly they have worked at different pubs.

John left The Palladium to join The Picture House, but Susie stayed.

John then moved to The Market Cross as a kitchen team leader and then shift leader at The Sussex, which he had joined as a kitchen manager in 2013.

John added: “I enjoy working for Wetherspoon – and the flexibility with hours is important.

“Susie and I have a busy family life with our three teenage children – and 40 reptiles, including bearded dragons and snakes.

“As well as working for Wetherspoon, Susie has a part-time reptile rescue operation.”

Floor associate Orlagh O’Byrne has worked at The Swatters Carr(Middlesbrough) for the past six years.

Orlagh was just 17 when she joined pub manager Lee Rankin’s team at the pub where she   still enjoys regular visits, as a customer, with her parents Lynn and Terry.

Orlagh, who has Down’s syndrome, works a two-hour shift every Sunday lunchtime at the pub, serving food, clearing and cleaning tables and meeting and greeting customers.

With the help of dad Terry, Orlagh signed up for the staff ‘share options’ scheme, where a percentage of her wages goes directly into buying Wetherspoon shares.

Her mum Lynn said: “Orlagh has been buying shares for the past four years, as a future investment, with a few pounds left over to spend on herself.

“This job was her first, and only, placement – and we are so grateful to Wetherspoon for giving her the opportunity of paid employment.

“It is difficult for anyone with a disability to be accepted in the workplace.

“By working at the pub, Orlagh raises awareness for those with disabilities, proving that they can work and be valuable community members.

“Everyone at the pub is so lovely. All of the staff are so supportive of her, and the regular customers seem to enjoy seeing her there.

“She loves working at the pub and, as a result, has grown in confidence and independence.”

Lynn concluded: “A big thankyou to Wetherspoon for supporting people with disabilities in the workplace and for being a fabulous

company to work for.”

There are 200 Wetherspoon pubs listed in CAMRA’s publication The Good Beer Guide 2023, the UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide.

Our teams work hard to bring you the best range and quality of ale – all day, every day. Why not visit your local Wetherspoon pub and try one (or two!) of the ales this week?

If you fancy learning how to pour the perfect pint, apply for one of our bar staff roles today.

Twenty-one amazing years and £22m raised, but we don’t want to stop there.

Kick for Young Lives vs Cancer brings all of the J D Wetherspoon pubs together for one big football frenzy in September. This year, they play on Sunday 17 September. Pubs will go head to head to grab the title of Football Champion 2023.

Each team will have a fundraising target of £400. Making a huge difference, this will go straight towards supporting children and young people facing cancer… and their families.

To donate, please visit your local Wetherspoon pub.