A chain of upmarket pubs has turned to God in an effort to prevent staff from leaving as hospitality companies fight off fierce competition for talent.

The Cubitt House Group, which owns pubs including the Thomas Cubbitt in Belgravia and the Orange in Pimlico, has brought in a vicar from a local church to deliver empathy lessons to employees so the company is a happy place to work.

Meanwhile, restaurant chain Blacklock is giving workers “pawternity leave” if they get a new puppy as well as round-the-world flights for those with long service.

The hospitality industry is locked in a perks arms race amid severe staff shortages as they prepare for the first summer since the post-Covid reopening.

Other companies are offering birthday prosecco, gym discounts and high-end takeaways, while the Michelin-starred chain Galvin Restaurants is preparing to put staff who get poached on paid gardening leave so they cannot come onto its premises and lure colleagues away with them.

Seb Fogg, the managing director of Cubitt House Group, said: “There’s a big myth out there about staff shortages. There are thousands of people out there who want to work but might not be experienced in our industry.

“What we need to do as operators is get them in, look after them and train them well. If they’re happy and willing to work then that’s all we need.

“We’ve … brought a Belgravia-based vicar from one of the local churches into the business who will work to introduce empathy across our staff base.”

Gordon Ker, the founder of chophouse chain Blacklock, said that the company offers free foot massages in addition to leave for staff who get a dog, as well as anniversary gifts for those who stay for a certain number of years including a round the world plane ticket or a fully paid four-week sabbatical. 

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said the industry is 250,000 to 300,000 workers short following the end of the Covid crisis. 

David Moore, owner of Michelin-starred London restaurant Pied à Terre, said his company is about to restart annual bonuses to any staff who have been with the firm for more than a year. 

Many workers left for other industries during lockdowns and never returned, while those who did are now demanding better pay and conditions. One restaurant boss said that staff who earned £26,000 before Covid have returned demanding £38,000 and saying they won’t work weekends or Friday nights.