Staff availability is critical to keep your business operating. When staff members live on site, it is easier to manage changing shift patterns. If the weather is severe or travel is difficult, it’s practical that employees are on site.
Inadequate staff accommodation is considered to be one of organizational issues related to the hotel’s corporate culture, policy and processes. Weak organizational structure has negative impact on pre-opening performance.
In the United Arab Emirates specifically, the majority of hospitality staff is entitled to accommodation. Inability to locate appropriate accommodation in time will affect staff recruitment and retention. Inadequate staff accommodation potentially delays the hotel's opening.
TFG Asset Management’s Pre-Opening Strategies White Paper points out four key aspects which should be taken into account when choosing staff accommodation:
- Nearness to the hotel is essential. Staff accommodation inconveniently located at a considerable distance from the hotel will increase commuting times and costs. Finally, this will undermine the pre- and post-hotel opening phases;
- Reasonable rental prices;
- Length of contract. A long-term (annual) contract is preferable;
- Quality of accommodation. It must be convenient and provide basic facilities.
The majority of hospitality senior managers surveyed by TFGAM agreed that infrastructure, rental rates and closeness to the hotel were the main priorities when selecting staff accommodation. One of the greatest challenges when signing a staff accommodation contract is the lack of purpose-built supply caused by the growing demand generated by several concurrent hotel openings. The race to win the bid for desired staff accommodation will also drive the rental price up. So, both the hotel owners and operators will face rising rental prices each year.
Hotel staff accommodation plays a key role in motivating employees and ensuring their satisfaction. Taking the financial constraint out of the equation, the ideal accommodation must meet basic requirements, e.g. infrastructure, necessary facilities. In addition to such fundamental needs, the accommodation must nurture a fun community environment. Hotel operators should add amenities they believe will enhance the “fun” factor for staff, or even consider building their own staff accommodation to suit their requirements.
Ultimately, hoteliers’ efforts of looking after staff properly will result in employees’ loyalty and better productivity at work.
Hotel Pre-Opening Strategies white paper is available for downloading free at the official website here.
