Rezidor Launches Responsible Business Training

-- Hotels, 7/17/2008 7:48:00 AM

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, has launched a new “Responsible Business” training programme. Within the next 12 months, all 30,000 employees in the group’s 240 hotels in 45 countries will attend interactive and practical training on social, ethical and environmental responsibility, and learn how easily they can contribute towards changing the world – just by going to work.

Rezidor has developed an ambitious in-house training programme and will roll this out with the help of its own internal trainers. “Responsible Business is an integral part of our company”, comments Beathe-Jeannette Lunde, Senior Vice President People Development of Rezidor. “It is essential that all our employees understand how important their relationship to the community and environment is, and that they act accordingly, day by day. Responsible Business is also one of the issues future employees seek when they consider which company they would like to work for.”

Rezidor has been committed to Responsible Business since 2001 and was one of the first hotel companies worldwide to have a dedicated Responsible Business programme. Former training modules have now been revisited and fully updated to become “energetic, practical and interactive sessions which encourage our employees to be engaged, proactive and – responsible”, says Catherine Rubbens, Director Responsible Business. The training has two components: Living Responsible Business is a mandatory training for all staff members which aims to inspire employees to make a difference both at home and at work – and provides information and practical tips on how they can do that. It lasts 2.5 hours. Leading Responsible Business is 1.5 hours long and targets Heads of Departments and Hotel Managers to ensure they set the right example on a daily basis. It encourages them to make maximum use of the tools available so they can respond to Responsible Business demands from stakeholders as diverse as guests, employees, property owners and the local community.

The new training begins with an introduction on Responsible Business and its three pillars – health & wellbeing, social & ethical issues, and a reduced negative impact on the environment. These three elements are then discussed in depth with complementary and interactive activities. “Our training approach is at the same time global and local”, explains Catherine Rubbens, “in addition to presenting general information on issues such as guest and employee wellbeing, World Childhood Foundation or the climate change, our trainers adapt each session to their region and  their specific hotel –  showing for example topical local Responsible Business-related issues; detailed figures on water and energy savings of the respective properties or looking back on local Responsible Business activities and their positive outcome”.

The new Responsible Business training is linked to Rezidor’s overall and unique employee service attitude programme “Yes I Can!” – resulting in a culture based on motivation, passion and creativity. “Responsible Business needs the Yes I Can-approach. Even small actions can have a big impact on our community and environment; and 30,000 employees all together can really make a difference”, comments Beathe-Jeannette Lunde.