2016 QUALITY EMPLOYER AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED BY THE IRISH HOTELS FEDERATION
Friday, 4th March 2016: The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has announced the winners of its national Quality Employers Awards 2016, celebrating standards of excellence in human resource management across Ireland’s hotel and guesthouse sector. The awards, which were presented at the IHF’s annual conference by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, TD, recognise hotels and guesthouses that attract, empower and develop employees in line with the overall goals and objectives of the Quality Employer Programme.
Four awards, selected by an independent panel of judges, were presented to winners according to the size of the premises:
· Large Hotel Category: The Gibson Hotel, Dublin
· Intermediate Hotel Category: Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin
· Medium Hotel Category: Ballygarry House Hotel & Spa, Tralee, Co. Kerry
· Small Hotel Category: Blue Haven Hotel, Kinsale, Co. Cork
Congratulating the winners, Tim Fenn, Chief Executive of the IHF said: “Irish hotels are renowned for their warm welcome and friendly people, and this is at the heart of the success of our sector and wider tourism industry. Our employees are without doubt one of our greatest resources and every day play a vital role in making sure our guests have a truly memorable and enjoyable stay - right from the time they arrive to when they check out. The calibre of the entrants to this year’s awards has been outstanding and is a clear reflection of the importance our members place on investing in their employees and ensuring talent is nurtured as part of a culture of employee engagement.”
Quality Employer Awards – Comments from Judges
· Winner in the Small Hotel category - Blue Haven Hotel, Kinsale.’
The Blue Haven Hotel’s selection and recruitment procedures have reaped rewards in terms of employee performance, retention and a high level of customer satisfaction and care. The hotel has developed and implemented a creative and successful employee strategy that integrates fully with the business operations and plans.
· Winner in the Medium Hotel category - Ballygarry House Hotel & Spa
This is a hotel where the employee is central to the product. Clear communication and engagement strategies in this hotel ensure that talent is harnessed and this has created a culture of service and professionalism which is proven by their team of long service management and staff.
· Winner in the Intermediate Hotel category - Fitzwilliam Hotel
This hotel demonstrated a very high commitment to HR Management and Development, where employee motivation and engagement contributes to business performance. This hotel’s recruitment philosophy “recruit on attitude, the technical skills we can train” is one that has ensured that this hotel is an employer of choice for new and existing employees.
· Winner in the Large Hotel category – Gibson Hotel
Examples of innovation and best practice in managing their people at all levels were illustrated in this hotel. Their internal management training programme and recognition of staff achievements captured rising talent and demonstrated a clear career progression path and ensured employees are actively engaged and highly motivated.