Relief Work Hub

Relief work is temporary staffing within the hospitality sector. It is sometimes called Temp or Agency Work.

As a Relief worker, you fill in when a venue needs support. That may be because of sickness, holidays, staff shortages or unexpected changes. The roles available span across all parts of hospitality, including Back of House and Front of House.

Back of House roles include Kitchen Porter, Commis Chef, Chef de Partie, Sous Chef and Head Chef.

Front of House roles include Waiter, Waitress, Bartender, Barista, Host, Hostess and Front of House Manager.

These roles are available in a full range of Hospitality Venues from Pubs, Restaurants, Hotels, Event Venues and even Private Bookings.

Some shifts are booked weeks in advance. Others might be same-day requests. Relief work suits people who want control of their hours and variety in their working life. It is also a great way to build experience quickly and explore different kitchens, teams and service styles. Many experienced professionals choose relief work because it gives them freedom without stepping away from the industry.

When you join Ginger Hospitality, you can choose how you would like to be paid. We offer two options: PAYE or self-employed invoicing.

PAYE stands for Pay As You Earn. It means you become an employee of Ginger Hospitality.

We take care of your tax and National Insurance and send you your pay every week. You are also entitled to holiday pay. Most people who work with us regularly choose PAYE because it is simple, reliable and comes with employment benefits.

If you are self-employed, you invoice the client directly for the hours you have worked at the agreed rate.

You are responsible for managing your own tax and National Insurance payments. This setup suits people who are registered as sole traders or who operate through a limited company.

When you register with us, we will explain both payment options so that you can choose the one that suits your circumstances best.

Registering with Ginger Hospitality is straightforward. You can start by filling in a short online form or by contacting one of our team.

Once we have received your interest in joining the Ginger Brigade, we will speak with you to learn more about what you are looking for. This includes what types of roles you enjoy, which venues interest you, how far you are willing to travel and what your weekly availability looks like.

When you are set up, we will begin offering you shifts. You will also get access to our app. This is where you will input the hours you have worked and update your availability directly. By keeping your availability up to date, you will be among the first to hear about new shifts coming in that match your preferences.

We usually contact candidates by phone, message or email. You can work as much or as little as you like. You are in control of your own schedule, and our team is here to support you at every step.

Every shift is different. That is one of the biggest advantages of relief work. You could be working in a Fine Dining Restaurant, A Country Pub, A Wedding Venue or a Large City Hotel.

In Back of House roles, you might be doing prep work, assisting the Chef de Partie, running a section or supporting the Head Chef in service.

In Front of House roles, you might be greeting guests, serving drinks, running food, taking orders or working as part of the events team.

Each venue will have its own systems, menus and pace.

At Ginger, we take the time to learn about you. We want to understand your experience and skills, but also your passions, your goals for your career and what you need from the roles you take. This helps us match you with assignments where you will thrive and feel confident.

Before your shift, we will provide you with a full brief. This includes the venue name, location, shift start and end time, the dress code, the point of contact and any specific expectations. When you arrive, you are expected to be on time, look professional, and deliver excellent service. You represent yourself and Ginger Hospitality.

We ensure that all of our relief workers are treated fairly by the venues they are placed in.

If there is ever an issue, our team is here to support you. If you are self-employed, your rights are different, but we will always do our part to make sure you are safe, respected and paid correctly.

If you work with Ginger as a PAYE employee, you have the same rights as any other employee in the United Kingdom. You are entitled to holiday pay, which is calculated based on how many hours you have worked. You will also receive your pay and payslip each week showing your hours, rate and tax.

Some clients call us when they need urgent help. This could be on the same day or the next day.

If you are open to last-minute bookings, we will reach out to you when these shifts become available. These can be a great way to increase your hours and build relationships with clients who value reliable Agency Chefs and Staff.

If we know your skills, your travel range and your availability, we can offer you last-minute shifts that suit you. We will never pressure you to take a booking you are not comfortable with.

Many people see Relief Work as short-term or temporary, but it can also be a powerful way to develop your career.

When you work Relief Shifts across different venues, you gain a wide range of experience. You work with different teams, styles of service, kitchen environments and leadership approaches. This makes you more adaptable, confident and capable.

At Ginger, we regularly help candidates progress into more Senior Relief Roles, such as Sous Chef, Head Chef, Assistant Manager or Front of House Manager.

We also help our Relief Brigade move into permanent positions if that is what they are aiming for. Several of our candidates have gone from Kitchen Porter to Chef de Partie, and from Waiter to Restaurant Manager through Ginger placements.

Let us know what your goals are and we will support you to get there.

I have been working for Ginger Hospitality for a few months and it has been the best thing I have done. The rates of pay are great, so far I have worked at two venues and they have both been great. For the last two months I have not been out of work and even my family and friends have noticed a change in me for the good.

–  Lewis, Relief Front of House Manager