Best and worst employers
Putting the unrest aside, we asked which hotel company operating in the Middle East — with all things considered, such as salary, career development, reputation and security — respondents considered to be the best employer.
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The results contained most of the major players in the region; Hilton, Fairmont, Rotana, Starwood, IHG, Jumeirah. Ritz-Carlton, Mövenpick, Four Seasons, Rezidor, Radisson, Accor, St. Regis and Jebel Ali Golf Resort all got a mention. Near enough all the above were also mentioned as the lowest payers, as well as the highest.
The findings pretty much confirmed the long held view that the ‘grass is always greener’. A healthy 43.7% didn’t believe they worked for the best employer, with 14.4% adding that they didn’t work for the best employer currently, but had done previously.
These views are also reflected in the fact that there has been nearly an 8% increase in the number of people who would leave their role for a more prestigious position.
The number of people who are completely happy in their job has also dropped from 22% to 18.5%, but this is still up from the lowly 6.3% which we reported in 2010 — hopefully reflecting the gradual recovery of the Middle East hospitality sector following the 2008-2009 recession.
What we have learned from this year’s survey is that the regional unrest continues to impact on hoteliers. It appears that salaries are on the increase, but many people believe line staff are not paid enough. If this is the case, is it time pressure was put on owners to fork out more? Or can hoteliers think creatively about how to reward these employees financially? It will be interesting to see in next year’s survey whether or not there is a response to this perceived lack of pay.
What we do know, however, is that this will be impossible to predict, as once again we say, ‘what a difference a year makes’.
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