By BW Hotelier
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL has announced its Asia Pacific (APAC) operation has won a series of prestigious workplace awards within the first four months in 2015, including being named 2015 China Top Employer by Top Employers Institute, one of the Best Workplaces in Asia by Great Place to Work and the two Regional Best Employer Awards including one for India and by Aon Hewitt for Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific respectively.
These four major accolades combined with 15 Aon Hewitt workplace excellence awards for Marriott International in nine Asia Pacific markets ’ China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, recognize the company’s efforts to encourage, train and retain its 46,700 strong workforce, known as ’associates’, across the region.
Anand Shankar, Regional Leader for Performance, Rewards and Talent with Aon Hewitt in Asia Pacific, said, ’The Best Employers recognition means that the organization inspires strong commitment and superior performance from its people, and drives business results through effective people practices. He added: ’For Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Resorts, to be recognized as Best Employers in so many countries across Asia Pacific this year is by no means an easy achievement given the caliber of organizations that participates. To sustain quality and high-standard practices of HR programs and initiatives, year after year, is a true reflection of the group’s commitment to long-term success and sustainability through its people.’
The company’s focus on hiring locally, developing local talent and providing career opportunities is reflected in the Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Resorts 2014 employee satisfaction survey for the Asia Pacific region which showed a 93 and 95 percent approval rating, respectively.
Associates each take part in average 34 hours of training and 78 hours of professional development for managers in 2014 and all associates in the APAC region attend a daily pre-shift meeting to discuss one aspect of the company or service values, followed by a brief 15 minute training session to reinforce a skill or area of knowledge. The meeting is also used for recognition of successful service or career stories. Hotels host a variety of town hall meetings, or ’rap’ sessions with the general managers and participate in community service activities to create a sense of pride and engagement with the company.
Developing talent is crucial to present and future success as Marriott International expands across the region. Marriott International expects to create approximately 37,000 new jobs in Asia through its continued growth and development in the APAC region in the next three years and it plans to increase its workforce to more than 40,300 in China alone by 2017.