Global survey Investigates the Hidden Impact of 

Workplace Messaging on Hospitality Staff

Hospitality professionals are being asked to share their experiences of “always-on” communication, as The Burnt Chef Project launches a global survey into how workplace messaging is affecting mental health across the industry.

From WhatsApp groups to rota apps and internal messaging platforms, digital communication is now embedded in day-to-day operations. But while these tools improve efficiency, there are growing concerns they may also be contributing to stress, burnout, and a lack of clear boundaries between work and personal life.

With ongoing challenges around recruitment, retention, and team wellbeing, understanding how communication impacts staff experience has become increasingly important for operators.

The Burnt Chef Project’s previous research found that 84% of hospitality professionals have experienced mental health challenges during their career, with constant connectivity emerging as a growing pressure point across kitchens, bars, and front-of-house teams.

The research is being conducted with input from academic partners at Bournemouth University and the University of Lincoln, helping ensure the findings reflect both real-world experience and academic insight.

The survey explores:

How digital tools are used across hospitality roles

Whether communication feels supportive or controlling

The impact of “always-on” messaging on rest and recovery

How communication influences workplace culture

What healthier communication could look like

Kris Hall, Founder & CEO of The Burnt Chef Project, said:

“We know hospitality is under pressure, but what we don’t fully understand yet is how much of that pressure is being amplified by the way we communicate at work.

If people feel like they can never switch off, that has real consequences, not just for wellbeing, but for retention, performance, and the future of the industry.

This survey is about giving hospitality professionals a voice in shaping what better looks like.”

Guy Weiss, Co-Founder & CEO of Zenzap, added:

“Communication should support teams, not overwhelm them.

We’re partnering with The Burnt Chef Project because we believe the industry deserves tools and practices that genuinely work for the people using them.

This research is about listening first.”