Mayfield Consulting Canada Inc. is one of two recipients of the second annual go2 the top Award. This award, recognizing the BC Liquor Primary employer that has upheld excellence in human resources and people management practices, was presented to Anne Bailey, Director of Human Resources at the Sterling Service and go2 the top Gala on November 28.
Responsible for the food and beverage, as well as hotel operations at The River Rock Casino Resort, Mayfield Consulting Canada was faced with the daunting task of opening the resort’s extensive collection of restaurants and lounges, along with its 222 suite hotel within the past year. “Great Canadian Gaming Corporation is proud of its relationship with Mayfield Consulting Canada and their commitment to employee and guest excellence,” said Howard Blank, Great Canadian Vice President. “It’s all about the ‘WOW’ factor and Mayfield continues to deliver on all fronts.”
Embarking upon such a large undertaking from the ground-up meant having to create a number of initiatives and programs that would allow a rapidly growing organization to succeed. From recruitment and training processes, to ongoing opportunities for employee growth, Bailey and her team recognized the importance of creating a positive work environment through fair human resources practices.
During the initial phase of the resort’s development, formal job descriptions were created for each position. “This helped clarify the expectations and requirements of each job,” says Anne Bailey, “making it clear and fair for everyone.” Bailey and her team of six Human Resources professionals have since become heavily involved in all aspects of the hiring process, from the hiring of new employees, to the transfer and promotion of existing employees. According to Bailey, “This has helped create a fair hiring practice within the organization and has prevented any favoritism from occurring.”
For Anne Bailey, this past year has been all about teamwork. “We grew from three employees to 700 employees in just a year and a half,” says Bailey. “And have been quite successful.” The importance Mayfield Consulting Canada places on teamwork is emphasized with all employees, beginning from their first day of employment. “The company really values hard work and people who are team players,” says casino beverage server Sue Luca. “This was demonstrated through training. We all got to know one another a little more and worked together in learning the casino environment, because it is different from a restaurant environment.”
Employee feedback and communication have also been hallmarks of Mayfield Consulting Canada’s success. Management seeks constant feedback and ideas from employees, offering such forums as an employee suggestion box, where each submission is reviewed and replied to monthly by members of the Executive Committee. Daily pre-shift meetings with their managers help keep employees up-to-date on the latest happenings within the bustling resort. This level of communication has made all the difference for employees like Sue Luca. “It tells me that [management] is there for the employee, and that employees’ needs are being met,” claims Luca. “For me, communication is extremely important.”
In an effort to further develop and retain its existing workforce, Mayfield Consulting Canada created an Objective Building and Assessment Program. Working together with Human Resources and departmental leaders, employees are encouraged to identify their individual career goals. The Resort, in turn, will help provide the necessary tools to allow employees the opportunity to grow within the company. The aim of this program, according to Anne Bailey, is to create career paths for employees and promote from within. “Our practices allow us to promote from within, reward our employees and create career paths,” says Bailey. “We are proud of our achievements and are always looking for innovative ways to motivate, encourage, educate, train and retrain our employees.”
