Caring for Our People at the Time of COVID
We know how incredibly difficult this time has been for our teams and colleagues. People were affected on a personal and professional level as they experienced unprecedented challenges - the pivot to quarantine business, reduced operations, and massive changes in organization. The Team realized that we need to do something to keep our people engaged even in the toughest times. We need people who do not only show up for work everyday, but people who believe in our ambition. This is a story about our deeply committed and purposeful approach on safety, health and well-being as our ultimate People Strategy.
At the onset, each Department developed an "operational excellence" deck that covers risk assessment in their own department and how they can be addressed. The Housekeeping led the Culture of Clean and adapt our service approach on everyone's safety. Front Office transitioned to a contactless transaction but still maintained connections during each stage of our guests' journey. The Human resources and safety and risk department forefront the compliance to DTI-DOLE's Workplace Prevention and Safety Guidelines which includes the daily Health Travel and Declaration Form, PPEs, social distancing and trainings. Employees who were sick were closely monitored by Hotel Nurses. In response to the evolving covid variants, the employees were provided with multi-vitamins and nutritious food aside from top direction to get employees fully vaccinated which is currently 100% Holiday Inn and 98% Crowne Plaza (the balance are those with medical condition).
With most of the team working from home or lodging in hotel rooms, monthly contests and conversation themes allowed for interaction among colleagues. These are photo contests, video snippets / vlogs, gratitude walls that rekindles the bond that is like a family. Fun is innate to the Hotel thus, Zumba in the mornings at the Hotel Courtyard was a festive break to the rigors of work.
What is more touching is the spirit of Bayanihan wherein people from different departments joined hands to fix the property to uphold everyone's safety.
2020 DOLE Audit for the implementation of workplace control and prevention of COVID which resulted to 100% compliance for Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and outlets Xin Tian Di, 7 Corners, and Fab Restaurant. On 2021, DOLE Audit on General Labor Standards and Occupational Health & Safety Standards was again 100% compliant.
The Bayanihan drive addressed the clearing of granite debris at mall roofdeck and repair of the Holiday Inn driveway to ensure visibility of safety markings.
CEO EMEAA Kenneth Macpherson took notice of the Hotel initiatives and gave a personal congratulations message to Barun and all of his team at the Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria for "doing an incredible job and how it is appreciated by everyone at the IHG Hotels and Resorts."