What Does Movember Mean for Men’s Mental Health in Hospitality?
Why this matters right now
November arrives, moustaches appear, and conversations about men’s health start to bubble up. In hospitality, that matters more than we often admit. This is an industry built on long hours, emotional labour, pressure to perform, and a quiet habit of cracking on regardless.
Movember works best when it isn’t treated as a once-a-year moment, but as a reminder of the culture we’re building every day.
What men’s health looks like in hospitality
Men rarely show up at work saying, “I’m struggling.” Instead, it often looks like:
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Shorter tempers on shift
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Increased sick days or last-minute absences
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Withdrawal from the team
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More drinking after work, or total disengagement
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A steady drop in confidence or performance
Left unchecked, those signs turn into burnout, resignations, or long-term absence.
What good leadership looks like
Strong hospitality leaders don’t try to become counsellors. They focus on consistency and safety.
Simple, human check-ins make the difference:
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“How’s your energy this week — honestly?”
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“Is anything outside work affecting you right now?”
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“What’s one thing I can help with?”
These aren’t dramatic interventions. They’re everyday leadership habits.
Making Movember meaningful (without being awkward)
1. Share support where people already look
WhatsApp groups, staff apps, team noticeboards, pre-shift briefs. Keep it light, visible, and normal.
2. Train managers to spot early signs
A short session on behaviour changes, supportive conversations, and signposting works better than long wellbeing policies.
3. Protect breaks properly
You can’t promote wellbeing while treating breaks as optional.
4. Fix rotas before fixing people
If your rota relies on heroics, your wellbeing strategy won’t land.
Useful resources
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Movember Foundation – Practical workplace toolkits and resources
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NHS – Mental health and GP support guidance
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Hospitality Action – Free, confidential support for hospitality professionals
Takeaway
Movember isn’t about moustaches. It’s about whether people feel safe enough to be human at work — in November and beyond.
Host & Founder
(Host, 2020– ) Timothy R. Andrews has spent over two decades in hospitality, beginning by collecting glasses in bars and steadily working his way up. After founding and leading a successful recruitment and training business for luxury, 4-star, and 5-star markets for 16 years, Timothy now serves as Head of Talent for Jumeirah Hotels London.
Beyond Jumeirah, Timothy hosts Talking Hospitality, a podcast known for its direct approach to industry issues and practical advice. Each episode tackles real challenges in hospitality today, with guest experts who offer solutions that can be put into action. Through Educating Hospitality, he also provides carefully selected industry-specific training courses that align with podcast topics, helping listeners stay up-to-date and gain practical skills.
Timothy’s work extends into community initiatives as well, including his impactful efforts to support Ukrainian refugees. From guiding them through the complexities of life in the UK to securing jobs, accommodations, and essential services, Timothy’s dedication reflects a belief that hospitality extends beyond the workplace.
Whether listeners want to stay updated on industry trends or learn what’s working in hospitality leadership, Talking Hospitality offers a fresh, entertaining perspective—and is Timothy’s way of giving back to the sector he cares deeply about.
The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of Timothy Andrews and do not reflect the opinions or positions of Jumeirah or any associated brands. Timothy Andrews is speaking in his persona… Read More
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