Marriott Hotels stresses the Spirit to Serve: Firm among best big companies to work for in UK

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the factors that helped Marriott Hotels in the UK to 14th place in this year's Sunday Times list of the top 20 big companies to work for.

Design/methodology/approach

Focuses on employee relations at Marriott in the UK, the Spirit to Serve program and various diversity initiatives at Marriott across the world.

Findings

Reveals that Marriott in the UK scores well for having a strong sense of teamwork among employees, a positive and supportive management style, a strong sense of family among the workforce, and employees' sense of pride in the company. The business encourages its leaders to “manage while walking around” its 57 UK hotels. Managers score particularly highly for expressing their appreciation to team members for doing a good job.

Practical implications

Contains examples of good HR practice in the hospitality industry.

Originality/value

Highlights the role of regional diversity councils in providing guidance and oversight to ensure the successful execution of Marriott's diversity‐related initiatives.

Citation

(2008), "Marriott Hotels stresses the Spirit to Serve: Firm among best big companies to work for in UK", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 16 No. 5, pp. 26-28. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670730810888483