October Industry CEO Message
A quote that is often attributed to Albert Einstein reminds us that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is, frankly, insanity. Simply put, it’s not realistic to continue to do the same things repeatedly and expect a different result.
Many parallels can be drawn from this old saying to the challenges we continue to face as our industry recovery creeps along. The ongoing staffing and labour challenges are not new to our industry and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought similar challenges to other industries as well, most notably health care and retail. And trying to cobble together the same old strategies to recruit and hire is no longer enough. We need to be creative and do something different.
To that end, go2HR will be expanding our activities on the labour force file to provide new, additional opportunities for organizations to participate in developing a labour recovery framework. We will provide a forum for industry to share perspectives, develop a shared vision and identify the path forward together. We need the amplification of a coordinated voice to effectively move forward. This will be useful for government to engage on priorities and solutions that have consensus across the tourism and hospitality industry. This labour recovery framework needs to address many of the systemic issues that existed pre-COVID-19 as well as the new ones brought about by the last twenty months.
Another labour support that I am pleased to share is the engagement of Cindy Conti, CPHR, our new HR Consultant-Vancouver Coast & Mountains. Cindy brings 20+ years of tourism and hospitality industry experience and a keen desire to dive into the specific needs of the VCM region. This is a real and direct support to the significant number of tourism and hospitality businesses in this region and we are excited to offer pragmatic, immediate help.
October is Healthy Workplace Month, something that we are looking at through a bit of a different lens now that we have a greater connection and partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association of BC. Our teams are working together on a number of initiatives to help drive home the importance of mental health and wellness at work. Watch this space for more details as they emerge.
Stay Safe,
Krista
