Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel
Diversity in practice – Learning from our Investors in People Champions
Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel
Interview with Terry Stirling, General Manager
This organisation employs approximately 162 employees and is very diverse with regards to the workforce they employ. Commitment from the top is at the forefront to ensure that messaging for staff is consistent. Training and development is actively encouraged and all staff have equal access to development opportunities. There is no hierarchy when it comes to training. The organisation employs a training manager and monthly training plans are cascaded down to teams. If a particular member of staff is unable to attend a training course due to work pressures for example, the training manager ensures that they are able to attend at a later date.
The age range of the organisation ranges from 16 to 66. They have staff from different ethnic backgrounds working for them and have recently recruited a number of employee from eastern Europe and this has had a very positive influence on the culture within the organisation as they have been able to share different work methods with existing staff. The organisation has also linked up with SCOPE.
The General Manager sees his role very much as overseeing the organisation and leading by example. He regularly attends Heads of Department meetings and encourages an open door policy. He also holds forum meetings to which staff can contribute - it is all about empowering staff. Flexible working arrangements are also encouraged and an internal baby-sitting facility is provided for staff who have childcare needs. Movement between departments is also encouraged, so that staff can gain a greater appreciation of the different demands of other people’s work.