Creating sustainable employment in hospitality?

Voluntary staff turnover has been a major problem in hospitality and many hospitality employers are concerned how staff retention can be improved in an industry which is characterised by narrow profit margins, fluctuating customer demand, low pay, unsocial hours and a predominantly young, transient workforce. One New Zealand hotel has recently improved its overall turnover rates, has many long-tenure staff and has been regarded as one of the ‘Best Places to Work’. Besides presenting survey findings on management strategies to enhance workplace culture and communication, it is also discussed whether this workplace example may illustrate a possible way forward in the quest to embedding sustainable employment practices in the hospitality industry