Australia’s Hospitality Workers Aren’t “Entitled” — They Just Know How Much Their Work Is Worth
In a widely publicized article, Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham, two self-styled “Hospo Gurus” from Sydney, derided Australia’s hospitality workers as “whining” and “self-entitled.” Hospitality workers invite these shock jocks to take a look in the mirror.
The dichotomy between a good work ethic and workplace respect is imposed by bosses who value their own bottom line over safe, respectful work conditions. (Kyryll Ushakov / Unsplash)
Over the last week, hospitality workers around Australia have asked each other in lowered voices: “Have you read that article?”
They were referring to a now-notorious write-up in the Sydney Morning Herald, based on opinions shared by hospitality bosses Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham. These self-styled “hospitality gurus” believe that hospitality workers are nothing but “little whining fucking cunts,” a view they expounded at length in an episode of their podcast The Fat, in conversation with celebrity chef, Shannon Martinez.
Smyth and Graham are co-owners of New South Wales (NSW) hospitality business Mary’s Group. They seem to believe this gives them the authority to comment on the experiences of hospitality workers everywhere. Predictably, their outlandish tirade generated a nation-wide backlash. And equally predictably, the pair have issued a flaccid “apology” via their company website.
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