Prospective and existing employees at IHG Hotels and Resorts will soon have the freedom to relocate to any suitable vacancy at any of the network’s hotels under a revolutionary flexible work arrangement to be introduced.
In an effort to stimulate the jobs market and meet its recruitment and operation targets, the company has launched the new ‘myFlex’ HR system, whereby employees active under the system can self-schedule their own hours at any IHG managed hotel in Australia, working as and when they want while being paid under the full terms and benefits of the Hospitality Industry General Award (HIGA) or above.
The new highly flexible arrangements are an effort by IHG to appeal to both new and experienced workers across the accommodation and hospitality landscape and address a critical skills shortage plaguing the sector as a whole. The company is aiming to fill 600 urgent vacancies and another 3,000 by the end of next year.
Once inducted into the system, workers can log-in to the company’s new UKG-powered platform and amend their available hours at any time, provided they work a prescribed minimum over a predetermined period to ensure they remain active on the system. Workers can then bid for shifts as listed by the hotel they wish to work at.
Any employee moving hotels will need to undertake a short onboarding hotel and brand process before starting their first shift.
Flexible workers will have access to the full suite of employee benefits available under the company’s recently launched ‘IHG myBenefits’ program, including paid parental leave and days off for wellness endeavours, personal projects and even their birthday.
The company has also invested in the mental health and wellbeing of its workforce by collaborating with R U OK? to develop the ‘Hospitality Mateship Manual’ designed to raise awareness on warning signs and provide support to struggling team members.
Existing full-time and part-time employees can also take advantage of the flexibility by bidding for their preferred shifts instead of committing to a managed roster.
IHG Hotels and Resorts Managing Director, Australasia and Japan, said the traditional HR rulebook has been thrown out the window as employers need to find new and flexible ways of working.
“For the hotel industry, we want job seekers to know that we offer great pay and conditions, elevated with unmatched flexibility and fantastic benefits,” Tripolone said.
“And, alongside this flexibility, you can have a stellar career in hotels regardless of the field in which you specialise: from marketing, to HR, finance, sales, IT or frontline operations.
“While hotel experience is a ‘nice-to-have’, what we really want is skills and attitude! And, in return, we offer fast-track leadership opportunities which mean you could be running your own multi-million-dollar business in a few years – either here in Australia or anywhere in the world.”
IHG Hotels and Resorts currently operates 62 properties around Australia under six brands, including the recently launched Vignette Collection for independent hotel owners.