As employers continue to recognize the relationship between the wellness of their workers and sustainable high performance, one hospitality company is escalating its commitment to investing in its team members.
Hilton is the first hospitality company to partner with innovative wellness startup, Thrive Global, launched by media powerhouse, Ariana Huffington in 2016. The new platform comprises corporate training, a consumer media platform, and commerce business.
Recognizing that burnout, fatigue, and stress cost US industries $300 billion a year, Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton announced that the company launched the Thrive@Hilton partnership to “Help our team members understand our people and flourish in every area of the business, from corporate to hourly, from the front desk to back-of-house. We strive to help Team Members feel more resilient, focused and optimistic about their work, which we believe will support our company’s continued success.”
New Thrive@Hilton initiatives shared across the hotelier’s entire population concentrate on three pillars – mind, body, and spirit, says Laura Fuentes, senior vice president of talent and rewards for the company.
Through its focus on the body, “We’ve had a number of health-oriented pop-ups, wellness days, flu clinics, and more in the space of yoga, mindfulness, and meditation,” says Fuentes.
A self-guided e-learning course taught by Ariana Huffington supports the mind pillar, she adds. “Best practices in time management and leadership are covered, combined with in-person global training for all of our directors and senior directors, instructed by Thrive Global experts.”
For the spirit pillar, “We offer discounted rates to our team members to stay on our properties so they can form meaningful connections with others through travel and experiences with loved ones. We’ve extended this benefit to highly tenured employees once they leave us,” says Fuentes.
Particularly for those working in hospitality, “Knowing that we operate around the world, 24/7, we’re very mindful of our team members who must deliver exceptional hospitality so that our guests thrive. We want to make sure we’re driving sustainable, high performance. That our team members work smart and lead mindfully,” says Fuentes.
Another exciting facet of Thrive@Hilton is the “Give a Dream, Live a Dream” month-long sabbatical that provides Hilton Team Members with an opportunity to rejuvenate, feel accomplished, and return to work even more inspired. Team members with five or more years of service are eligible to be selected for a four-week sabbatical to either “Give a Dream” by volunteering or doing philanthropic work or “Live a Dream,” where they will be challenged to explore new interests or achieve a personal goal. Selected Team Members will receive four weeks of sabbatical time with salary and benefits continuation, $5,000 USD or local currency equivalent, and a travel camera to capture their “Thrive Moments.”
In addition, “We’ll continue to look at some enhancements on core benefits like enhancing learning platforms and supporting our team members throughout their careers. We offer a GED equivalency program, for example, for those who haven’t completed their high school diploma. We’re globalizing that,” says Fuentes.