Long-service awards for hotel employees

Simon Cotton, general manager of the Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate, thanks and congratulates Marta Klos, Ian Kellor and Carla Smith on their long service.

Across the hospitality sector staff retention rates stand at around 40 per cent, but at Cedar Court Hotel Harrogate the figure is close to 70 per cent, with an average length of service across the whole team of 3.6 years.

This week, sales events co-ordinator Carla Smith and food and beverage assistant Marta Klos both marked more than five years’ employment at the hotel, while conference porter Ian Kellor celebrated more than 10 years’ service.

General manager Simon Cotton said: “Staff retention in hotel and catering is one of the hardest things about the business.

“Trying to balance staff development and career progression alongside retaining your best workers I guess is something most industries have to juggle, but the fast-paced world of hotels and the sheer number of jobs available since we came out of recession mean it’s certainly a part of the business that needs careful planning and management.”

“With the large numbers of young workers and casual labour in the hotel, I’m extremely proud of the team we have here and the excellent job they do providing first-class customer service day in, day out, to our many guests,” said Mr Cotton.

On completing 10 years’ service, Ian Kellor said: “I do love working here, it’s the best job I’ve ever had and a lot of the staff are like family to me and we all work really well together. I like it too when guests remember and ask for me to see if I’m working as lots of the conference organisers come here regularly and I like to look after them”.

Carla Smith added “I love the variety of my role here and working in such a beautiful building with a great bunch of people. Having a team around you that have been here a long time helps us provide a great service and gives me great confidence when dealing with the guests and clients that I do”.