Hospitality Business Magazine

Health & Safety Gold for Wellington hotel

 

As part of the engaging tourism industry where 13.5% of the New Zealand workforce are either directly or indirectly employed, the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor recognises the importance of ensuring staff have a safe and supportive workplace, winning the ACC Workplace Safety Award at the Wellington Gold Awards last week.

The hotel currently employees 154 team members, aged 17 through to 75. The workforce is diverse and therefore great care is taken in communicating and ensuring Health and Safety is upheld and developed when managing the 268 accommodation rooms, two restaurants, eight conference rooms and the multi-million dollar refurbishment.

Over a quarter of the staff are qualified first aiders, subsidised flu shots are offered to everyone and nutritious meals are provided on staff breaks. Wellbeing concepts are encouraged through active participation in national causes, such as staff wearing purple on the frontline for a Mental Health Awareness campaign last October (in exchange for a gold coin donation), or pink this year to communicate anti-bullying messages.

Reflecting on the team efforts to uphold Health and Safety, General Manager Steve Martin believes that this is one of the components that has contributed to a number of long-serving employees. From the friendly telephone operator who started in 1980, to the new team members welcomed this month, the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor is known as a great workplace and strives to be a leader for supporting careers in tourism.

The James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor is located in the heart of Wellington City, conveniently situated between the leading retail district of Lambton Quay and the business hub of The Terrace. The 4 ½ star hotel features 268 accommodation rooms, valet parking, two restaurants and bars, a day spa, complimentary Wi-Fi and fitness facilities, with in-house guest yoga offered on a regular basis.

Grand Chancellor Hotels are located throughout Australia and New Zealand in key destinations. The ten 4 – 4½ star properties feature well-appointed guest rooms, with five hotels providing event venues which cater to over 400 people. For more information please visit grandchancellorhotels.com