USA | New data has revealed that team connections and interacting with people is the greatest source of joy for hospitality workers.
A recent OysterLink poll revealed that the greatest source of joy at work comes from people and team connections. More than half of respondents (56 percent) said that "people & good team vibes" are what make their workday most enjoyable.
The poll, conducted among more than 100 hospitality professionals, asked: "What brings you joy at work?". While teamwork was the clear frontrunner, other factors also played an important role. About 16 percent of respondents pointed to challenges as a key source of fulfillment, seven percent highlighted the value of taking breaks, and 21 percent said it was a combination of all factors.
"These results reflect what many in hospitality already know, a positive team culture is the backbone of job satisfaction," said Milos Eric, General Manager at OysterLink.
"While challenges and personal time matter, it's the people around you who create an environment where you can thrive."
OysterLink continues to spotlight the voices of restaurant and hospitality professionals, using polls, interviews, and insights to better understand what drives job satisfaction and retention in the industry.
Searches for terms like "restaurant jobs," "jobs in hospitality," and "jobs in restaurant near me", "server jobs", etc., all spiked in July. Geographic data shows especially strong interest in states such as Rhode Island, Washington D.C., Colorado, New York, Florida, Nevada, and Hawaii. This surge mirrors OysterLink's own activity, where applications for entry-level positions rose significantly during July.
"Hospitality has always been a major entry point into the workforce, and applications for entry-level positions surged this summer, underscoring how essential these jobs remain for both workers and employers," said Eric.
Another OysterLink poll of nearly 50 hospitality professionals revealed that "service fees" and "inflation fees" added to guest bills are creating more confusion than clarity. These fees, also known as "living wage fees" typically a 15 to 22 percent surcharge added to guest checks, are intended to help restaurants cover fair wages.
According to the results, 54 pecent of respondents said these fees confuse guests, while only eight percent felt they help ensure fair wages. Opinions were divided on tipping: 15 percent said the fees hurt their tips, while 23 percent reported a boost in tips.
The findings highlight the growing tension around tipping culture in the restaurant and hospitality industry. While many restaurants have introduced "service fees" or "living wage fees" to offset rising costs, staff feedback suggests that the lack of transparency often backfires, leaving guests unsure whether the charges replace tips or are in addition to them.
In 2025, Google Trends recorded a sharp spike in searches for "living wage fee" and "inflation fee," with the highest interest in West Virginia, Colorado, Washington, North Carolina, and New York. Muck Rack tracked around 40 news articles on the topic during that period. OysterLink's own survey data shows that many hospitality workers reported hearing about the fee either through customers, social media, or internal discussions at work.
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