Why hotels are desperate for workers
Hotel establishments are starting to give their employees the VIP guest treatment, boasting new benefits and perks to retain and fill seasonal positions.
Summertime is a busy season for a lot of industries, hospitality in particular. The industry, however, is facing labor shortages, and hotel owners are beginning to offer unique incentives to attract new talent and prevent employees from jumping ship to a rival chain.
What incentives are being offered?
Some hotels are offering long-term perks like higher wages, expanded healthcare coverage, and flexible scheduling. Others are relying on one-time perks like free fitness machines, new knife sets, and even cash bonuses!
The Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel in New York City gifted senior staff “The Mirror,” $1,345 high-tech fitness machine with a $42 per month subscription to stream on-demand workouts, when they returned to the hotel after eight months of remote work.
Cape Resorts, who was having a tough time filling their job openings this past spring, is now offering staff free boarding accommodations alongside a hospitality training program so they can learn new resume-boosting skills in areas like sales, accounting, and marketing.
Omni Hotels and Resorts is providing free hotel stays for summer employees while they work, along with significant wage increases. They are also giving new workers three free nights at an Omni hotel of their choice, and kitchen staff is receiving a set of brand new knives and weekly sitdowns with highly renowned executive chefs.
ACE Hotel New Orleans is changing their policy to provide health benefits to employees from their first day of employment instead of mandating a 90-day wait.
Hotel industries and labor shortages
Hotel chains and industry leaders are finding that sparking interest in joining an industry ravaged by the Coronavirus is sparse. Back in the spring of 2020, many hotels were quick to furlough employees because they did not have the funds to pay them. As a result, many employees went elsewhere - and unfortunately, “elsewhere” sometimes paid better.
"Hiring has been incredibly challenging,” says Michael Achenbaum, president and founder of Gansevoort Hotel Group.
“Not only is finding qualified candidates difficult, but there is a consistent acceptance of offers and then no-shows on the first day. Some staff are also finding other jobs and walking out for minor salary bumps at competitive properties."
Hotels hiring now
If you are passionate about customer service and helping others find accommodations, a career in the hospitality industry might be an excellent fit for you! There is a range of career opportunities in the field, including front desk reception, servers, bartenders, housekeeping, guest services, maintenance, and more! Here is a list of top hotel companies hiring now.
Personally, I think employee incentives are great! What’s the best incentive you’ve ever received at work? Share in the comments below.
Comments
very intereszed
I am interessed
Really because they dont call people in or even answer the calls left for them
Here in CA. Their needs to be some kind of help with housing for certain crucial employees, in my case I cannot stay because at what I am making I cannot even afford an efficacy apartment, around $2,000 a month when you make $20/HR doesn't cover it.
I agree incentives are great! I was laid off from a resort when Covid hit. We were laid off I wasn't called back. The rest of my engineering crew was hired back. I believe I wasn't called back nc I. Native American and the resort is Native owned but it has to do with the non Natives. They feel I didn't need to work bc of my Native status.