In a statement defending the company’s reputation, the management of Four Seasons Resort at Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, said charges of racism and other ill treatment at the hotel were scandalous and completely false.
The statement was in response to a weekend press release from the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union, which charged that racial tensions and unfair labour practices existed at the resort. The union said Bahamian workers were made to give in to overbearing demands of the expatriate workers who were allegedly bold enough to tell the Bahamians that their skin colour did make a difference. It also said Bahamians with certain complexions were not permitted to work in certain areas of the property.
Four Seasons general manager Antoine Chahwan said management was appalled by the allegations made by the union. “Four Seasons is admired and respected around the world as an outstanding employer who provides its employees everywhere with a respectful work environment and generous employee benefits,” he said.
Mr Chahwan added that in Great Exuma and all over the world the “Golden Rule” had always guided Four Seasons employment practices: “Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This he described as more than a motto at the resort but an integral part of the company’s stated goaIs, beliefs and principles.
“We believe that our greatest asset – and the key to our success – is our people. We believe that each of us needs a sense of dignity, pride and satisfaction in what we do,” Mr Chahwan said, adding that the resort maintained open channels of communications for employees to easily and comfortably address concerns they might have. He stressed that to date, Four Seasons Resort Exuma management had not received claims from employees which would substantiate any of the union’s allegations.
Regarding hiring and promotions, the general manager said Four Seasons had chosen to operate a resort in The Bahamas with the expectation of hiring the local staff in both hourly and key management positions. He said promotions had already occurred among the local staff and would continue to do so, supported by several recognition programmes to regularly recognise and reward exceptional employee performance.
The union charged that $60.00 was deducted from the salary of employees for their living quarters and added that the employees were made to sleep two in a room without a say in deciding their roommate.
Mr Chahwan addressed this and explained that Four Seasons offered housing as a benefit and an option to those employees who had relocated to Great Exuma. He also said rooms were assigned based on availability.
“The policies and procedures in place are there to protect the privacy and harmony of everyone. All employees are aware of these regulations prior to employment. The rent deduction for employees choosing to live in staff housing also pays for their electricity, air-conditioning, cable TV, shuttle service to and from the resort as well as security and a planned recreation centre,” he said.
Addressing the union’s claim that an employee complained about not being able to eat a hot meal at the resort, Mr Chahwan said, “As an added benefit to every employee, the resort also provides one free meal per shift. This duty meal typically is enjoyed in the middle of a particular shift. Therefore a hot lunch or dinner is provided to all employees for each shift worked.”
Regarding recruitment and fair compensation, Mr Chahwan said in response to very positive business demand the resort was experiencing, recruitment was underway for additional staff. He added that when current staff works overtime, to accommodate this increased level of business, every person is compensated in accordance with the Employment Act of The Bahamas with additional overtime pay.
Touching on disciplinary procedures, Mr Chahwan said no employee had ever been terminated without a thorough investigation of all facts. “Security and safety of employees and guests is the resort’s first priority. Should an industrial accident occur, an investigation takes place as a means to prevent the accident from occurring again. It is normal industry policy, as explained prior to employment, that a drug and alcohol test may be required as a part of that investigation,” he said.
Mr Chahwan also pointed to the company’s worldwide success, saying seven years ago Fortune Magazine, a respected international business publication, created a ranking of the “Best Companies To Work For.” He noted that every year, Four Seasons had earned a place on that list. The survey is based on the opinions of employees themselves.
Mr Chahwan said Four Seasons was proud to be part of Bahamian hospitality and did not expect, as any company bringing new jobs to a country, to be attacked so viciously. “To be publicly slandered after all our good faith efforts to create a beautiful resort of which all Bahamians can be proud, is not in the nature of the Bahamian people. We know our community is aware that we have been wronged, and the truth is that we are a good and fair employer that is honoured to be in The Bahamas,” he said.
He further noted that the company was very proud of its employees in Exuma and was in the process of cultivating a true partnership which would last for many years to come. Mr Chahwan said in each of the nearly 30 countries in which Four Seasons operates hotels, it had found that people responded to a chance to achieve excellence and to be respected.
Four Seasons also claims first position on many prestigious lists. Recent honours include being named to Fortune Magazine’s list of “100 Best Companies To Work For” (for the sixth consecutive year); and the American Automobile Association’s (AAA) Five Diamond awards,
Mindell Small, The Nassau Guardian
