Welcome back, it's been a while. It's amazing how a seemingly fruitless job search can lead to crippling depression, but I digress. Today's post is inspired by the Boston Globe's Sunday tabloid of "Top 100 Places to Work."
Whilst perusing the tabloid during a particularly distressful evacuation, it occurred to me that of the top 100 jobs in Massachusetts, according to the Boston Globe, only one of them is in the Hospitality industry.
The Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Chatham offers its employees housing at a former motel for $130 a week. Included is free WiFi, free cable TV, free washers and dryers, and a free shuttle bus that covers the commute of a few miles.The motel is maintained by resort staff on the clock, and the employees are entitled to three free meals a day at the employee cafeteria, which serves fresh seafood and many dishes from the resort's restaurants. Not one other hotel, restaurant (chain or otherwise), or catering company to be seen on the list. This struck me as odd.
Now, the Globe conducted this survey by confidential employee survey of 86,000, from 269 companies, with questions ranging from "This organization demonstrates it values employees during difficult times" to "It's easy to tell my boss the truth." The employers were also invited to complete a survey on workplace practices.
The employers were then judged on six factors:
-Direction-
Do employees have confidence in the leader of the organization? Do they believe it operates ethically, and is moving in the right direction?
-Execution-
Do employees believe senior managers have a good understanding of what the company needs to do to succeed, and are they sharing information well?
-Managers-
Do managers listen to employees, praising superior work and making good use of people's skills?
-Career-
Does the organization offer formal training and other opportunities to learn and grow, and does it reward good performance?
-Conditions-
Is the work environment free from hostility, and does the company help workers to balance career and family life? Does the organization show its appreciation for employees?
-Pay and Benefits-
Are workers fairly compensated?
Unfortunately, the survey discounted any business with less than 100 employees, which is the majority of privately owned restaurants. But ONE resort, out of how many groups and corporations own hotels and golf courses and inns and resorts in Mass? How does an industry that is solely designed to please the people it serves, fail so miserably at pleasing it's employees? It seems that the hospitality trade has a limited amount of respect for people, and they use it all up on the customer.
Then it occurred to me that, if using the same criteria, they made a list of worst places to work, restaurants, and hotels would probably top the list. The privately owned restaurants that I've worked for fail on almost all of these questions.
I've rarely had confidence in the owner of the business, in their understanding of what it takes to succeed, or in their ability to communicate effectively. I have frequently questioned their ethics, and sanity. I've often felt under- utilized, and felt that my good work went unnoticed. I have witnessed hostile behavior on the part of managers and employees alike. As far as a balanced life or career progression is concerned, forget it. Unless you think working every night, holiday, and weekend for the rest of your life is balanced, and moving forward. The pay sucks and the benefits are non- existent.
Here's what Shirley Leung, business editor of the Boston Globe, had to say about the winners of the top 100.
"If there is one thing the winners of the Globes 100 top places to work have in common, it's this: They all believe it's good business to keep employees satisfied, motivated, and working hard. Show them respect."
She goes on to say, "The best employers know that loyalty is forged during difficult times. How you treat employees now is critical to surviving- and ultimately conquering, we hope- the toughest economy many of us have ever lived through."
I think the Globe should publish a list of the Worst 100 Places to Work. It would be more helpful to job seekers. Here's hoping that things change. Happy employees make happy customers. There are 100 businesses in Massachusetts that know it.
Love, Peace, and Bacon grease!
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