The Eastside Rooms Wins Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion at the 2024 HR in Hospitality Awards
The Eastside Rooms, Birmingham is proud to announce that it won the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion award at the 2024 HR in Hospitality Awards, held last Friday 27th September at The Londoner Hotel in London. One of the longest running award programs in the UK, having begun 28 years ago, the HR in Hospitality Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in people management across the sector.
The award is in recognition of The Eastside Rooms’ exceptional efforts to create an inclusive, diverse and supportive workplace, implementing a range of innovative practices that have transformed the employee experience.
“We were up against a high volume of impressive entries, so we’re delighted to have won and be recognised for our efforts in diversity and inclusion,” says Director of Sales and Marketing, Leanne Bladen. “Winning is a testament to our great teamwork. Not only have we all worked hard to reach our goals, but everyone has bought into our D&I initiatives and shown real dedication to achieving them. For example, our flexible working schemes have been embraced across the business, even in departments that are traditionally associated with more rigid work protocols. This just goes to show we are a team of forward thinkers, and we can’t wait to continue pushing equality and inclusivity in the hospitality industry.”
A key element in The Eastside Rooms’ success is the implementation of their Flexible First and Accessible Opportunities for All initiatives which have helped redefine the perception of the hospitality industry as traditionally inflexible.
In 2022, the hotel and venue partnered with Halesowen College, offering internships to SEND students – one of whom is now employed full-time in The Eastside Rooms’ food and beverage department. The same year, partnering with the charity Springboard, they launched ‘Industry Insight Days’, hosting 200 individuals across two years from underrepresented groups to learn about hospitality. The results were work placements for many.
In early 2024, The Eastside Rooms achieved Disability Confident Employer status, meaning that they are recognised by the government for being an employer that recruits, retains, values and develops disabled people.
The company’s family-friendly and gender-equal policies have also been particularly impactful. By introducing a payment for working parents with children under five, The Eastside Rooms has reduced financial stress for its employees, ensuring that parents, both mothers and fathers, can balance work and family life from the very start of their employment. Furthermore, gender-neutral job descriptions and flexible working arrangements have attracted a diverse pool of candidates.
All these chemes have been met with glowing testimonials. Candidates, parents of support interns, and charities like Springboard have praised the programs in their feedback.
“These initiatives have not only promoted equality but also led to measurable business improvements,’ remarks Leanne. ‘The Eastside Rooms has seen a 20% reduction in labour turnover and an 87% retention rate following maternity and paternity leave and we’ve found it easier to recruit the right talent, reducing our time to hire from 46 days to 35 year on year.”
