The Wickaninnish Inn’s enviable status as a Relais and Chateau property hasn’t prevented the award-winning resort from being immune to the increasing labour shortages faced by BC’s tourism industry. Luckily, the resort has discovered that while hiring foreign workers requires dedication and commitment, the investment of time and energy is well worthwhile.
“We hired our first foreign worker four years ago, and recently the process has become much easier,” explains Melody McLorie, director of human resources for the Wickaninnish.
But despite the relatively straightforward nature of the application process, Melody cautions that undertaking the hiring of foreign workers requires a paradigm shift. “The process goes far beyond obtaining permission and completing the paperwork for the permit [which can be accomplished for as little as $150, and is often approved in less than a week.]”
She notes that the hospitality industry is familiar with the transient nature of many employees. “We’ve all gone through the arduous process of training and orienting workers, only to find that they don’t stay beyond their first pay cheque; with foreign workers, they’ve journeyed a long distance, and in some instances have been sponsored by an employer, which means they’re in it for the long haul.”
Therefore, preparing to welcome workers who’ve made a two-year commitment means utilizing HR and management practices less used.
Melody advises operators to ensure their infrastructure is firmly in place before they attempt to draw in employees from abroad: “You have to make sure that the community will be welcoming, that the housing is adequate [if you intend to provide it] and that your existing staff members are prepared.”
She explains that hiring foreign workers requires full communication with all those involved. “You have to reassure your existing workers that you aren’t planning to replace them with less expensive labour, and that their jobs aren’t in jeopardy.” And, she says, you must commit to educating both hotel guests and the broader community about the nature of the process.
The Wickaninnish has recently employed eight new workers from Europe and the Caribbean, many of whom they met during a visit to the 2007 Destinations Canada job fair, which connects Canadian employers with prospective employees in three different European cities. And thus far, Melody is very happy with her new hires, citing that they bring a unique set of skills and experience to the property. She also notes that the three workers hired from France are currently looking to obtain their permanent residency in Canada.
“These are generally very independent, self-sufficient people. Most of them have previous service experience and because of the number of interested applicants, we can afford to be more selective.”
But being more selective also means being realistic and upfront when attending career fairs overseas. “I’ve had bio-chemists tell me that they want to work in housekeeping,” says Melody. “It becomes a question of being fair with potential staff, portraying the available positions honestly and hiring people who will thrive, not only in the role, but also within the community.”
Melody goes on to note that she would highly recommend job fairs to other operators seeking to hire foreign workers. “Based on the candidates I met, [Destinations Canada] must have cast a really wide net. I would definitely go again, and would be very interested if they had future plans to go to Korea, China or the Philippines.”
