Positive_Relationships_Hospitality
Positive Relationships
Items in this lesson
Positive Relationships
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, you will:
Identify healthy vs unhealthy relationships
Understand consent and coercive control
Recognise the importance of boundaries
Communicate respectfully and work effectively in teams
Why do Relationships Matter in Hospitality?
Why Relationships Matter in Hospitality
Hospitality is people-focused – teamwork and respect are vital
How we treat others affects customer service and morale
Boundaries and consent protect everyone
Personal vs Workplace Relationships
Personal relationships:
Built on emotional connections (friends, family, partners)
Workplace relationships:
Built on respect, team work and professionalism
Its fine to be friendly, but boundaries keep things appropriate and fair
Healthy
Unhealthy
What does a healthy or unhealthy relationship look like to you?
Personal Relationships
✅ Appropriate:
Mutual respect and trust
Listening and communicating openly
Supporting each other’s goals and independence
Giving and respecting consent
Allowing friendships and personal freedom
Being honest and kind, even during disagreements
Personal Relationships
❌ Inappropriate:
Controlling or isolating a partner or friend
Ignoring or dismissing someone’s feelings
Pressuring someone to do things they don’t want to
Disrespecting boundaries or ignoring consent
Threats, jealousy, or emotional manipulation
Physical, emotional, or verbal abuse
Workplace Relationships
✅ Appropriate: polite communication, fairness, professionalism
❌ Inappropriate: flirting, gossiping, favouritism
💬 Pair Task: Discuss one appropriate and one inappropriate workplace behaviour.
Healthy Relationships in Hospitality
Trust and respect among employees: Staff who feel valued and respected are more motivated and engaged.
Effective communication: Managers encourage feedback and two-way dialogue, creating a safe and interactive culture.
Focus on wellbeing: Businesses that prioritise worker wellbeing—such as flexible scheduling and mental health support—see lower turnover and higher productivity.
Positive leadership: Leaders who foster connection and human relationships drive better business outcomes in hospitality.
Example: A London hotel where managers hold weekly check-ins with staff, encourage peer support, and provide training opportunities. This builds morale, reduces stress, and improves guest satisfaction.
Unhealthy Relationships in Hospitality
Bullying and discrimination: Poor line management or workplace harassment can quickly damage mental health.
Romantic relationships with power imbalance: A manager dating a junior staff member can lead to favouritism, unfair treatment, or conflict if the relationship ends badly.
Unresolved workplace conflict: When disputes aren’t managed early, they become “hidden productivity killers” that harm both staff and business.
Toxic culture: Lack of clear policies around relationships or harassment creates unsafe environments, leading to high turnover and reputational damage.
Example: A restaurant where a supervisor shows favouritism toward a romantic partner on the team, giving them better shifts and overlooking mistakes. This creates resentment, lowers morale, and increases staff departures.
Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships
Healthy:
Respect, trust, equality, consent, communication
Unhealthy:
Control, pressure, disrespect, lack of consent
Leah's Story - Childline
Consent.....what does it mean?
Understanding Consent
Consent = free, informed, enthusiastic agreement
Applies to physical touch, personal info, and social contact
Can be withdrawn at any time
'If it’s not a clear YES, it’s a NO.'
💬 Pair Task: How can you show respect for consent at work?
What about Maybe?
Coercive Control
A pattern of controlling or manipulative behaviour
Creates fear or dependency
Illegal under UK law (Serious Crime Act 2015)
Examples:
Monitoring, isolating, humiliation, controlling money
Coercive Control
💬 Discussion: Why might someone not notice coercive control at first?
Boundaries
Boundaries protect wellbeing and help keep relationships healthy. They also define what behaviours aren't acceptable.
Respect others’ personal space and privacy
Being professional on social media
What's one personal boundary that helps you feel respected at work or college?
What is a sign of respect in group settings?
Encouraging collaboration and teamwork
Dominating the conversation
Allowing everyone to speak
Criticising others harshly
Communication, Teamwork, and Respect
Good communication = clear, polite, active listening
Teamwork = support and cooperation
Respect = treating everyone fairly
Communication, Teamwork, and Respect
💬 Scenario: A teammate snaps at you during service. How can you respond respectfully?
Recap and Reflection
Healthy relationships = respect, equality, consent
Coercive control removes freedom and safety
Boundaries maintain professionalism
Communication builds teamwork
💬 Write one action you’ll take to build positive relationships at work.
Support and Resources
Respect UK – www.respect.uk.net
Women’s Aid / Men’s Advice Line
ACAS – workplace behaviour
Mind UK – wellbeing and boundaries
