Quality meetings at hotels which look after their own staff

Staff shortages in the hospitality industry are a nagging issue that can negatively affect the quality of a business and the experiences guests enjoy. In such an environment, luxury hotels are particularly hard hit. Such institutions are having to prioritise their staff’s well-being and professional growth to fight against the current labour shortages.

According to EHL Insights, there are seven strategies for success in luxury hotel staff management:

· Improve mental health - the emotional toll of maintaining a façade of perfection is heavy. To address this, luxury hotels offer mental health programmes that include therapy sessions, wellness retreats, and in-house counsellors. Well-being in luxury hospitality is a 360-degree endeavour, and staff cannot be expected to offer top-notch service if they are emotionally drained.

· Offer career paths - promotion is not the only thing that counts in a career. Many luxury hotels offer sponsored courses, further education plans, and opportunities for departmental rotation to help employees develop a more well-rounded skill set. Career paths in luxury hotels are increasingly diverse, offering multiple avenues for employee development.

· Promote ownership - offering a stake in the company is a powerful way to deliver the message that staff are important. Some luxury hotel chains now offer employee stock ownership plans as part of their retention strategy. When employees are shareholders, they take ownership in the most literal sense, thus contributing to the overall growth and legacy of the hotel.

· Create a sense of purpose - to keep employees engaged and purpose-driven, several luxury brands have even started community involvement programmes to help staff feel a sense of purpose beyond their daily roles.

· Focus on financial well-being - recognising that financial stress can significantly impact employee performance, luxury hotels are introducing financial well-being programmes as part of their commitment to a luxury lifestyle for both guests and staff. These may include seminars on wealth management, tax planning, and even investment advice. When employees do not have to worry about their finances, they can focus more clearly on their job, thereby providing a higher level of service.

· Self-design the benefits - some luxury hotels now allow staff to design their own benefit packages within a specified budget. This approach gives employees a voice in their own well-being, letting them choose everything from the type of healthcare benefits they receive to the wellness programs that best suit their needs.

· Do community outreach - many luxury hotels now encourage community involvement, such as beach clean-ups or volunteering at local shelters. This fosters a sense of greater purpose among employees, and also cultivates a team-building environment outside the confines of the hotel.