Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador

Members in the News

Members in the News Details

Guv'nor Inn and Pub recieves Path of Distinction Designation - April 22, 2004

The Guv'nor Inn and Pub were selected last evening to receive the Newfoundland and Labrador Employers’ Council’s (NLEC’s) Path of Distinction Designation.

Path of Distinction Designation

This designation is used to recognize organizations that have done something remarkable in one or more categories of the Employer of Distinction Criteria. It was to be a designation that would reflect a dramatic improvement in something such as Occupational Health and Safety, a quantifiable achievement such as long-term success with a union, or a benchmark move that distinguishes the organization from the rest of its industry.

When an organization sets about to create a work environment that respects employees, encourages their participation and treats them as something more than the labour they provide they can take many routes. They can hire HR professionals, engage consultants, or implement policies and programs that attempt to create such an environment. Whatever route the organization takes to accomplish this, there is one element that is difficult to create if the organization’s management doesn’t truly believe in its value.

Some managers and supervisors have a seemingly natural ability to do this without effort and without thought. The results of doing so echo throughout the organization and impact everything the organization does right down to the bottom line. As Dr. Gary Gorman one of our panelists stated you can look at all the policies and programs you want to that attempt to create healthy work environments, but when it comes down to it nothing speaks louder that an organization’s absenteeism and turnover rates.

In an industry that is experiencing tremendous challenges to recruitment and retention of employees, tonight’s Path of Distinction recipient stands head and shoulders above the rest. They have reduced turnover to an astounding 5%. They have accomplished this through many of the typical methods such as staff training, professional certification of employees, staff socials, bonuses, promotion from within the ranks, employee benefits packages etc. but the real reason for this accomplishment, as identified by the staff themselves, is the personal characteristic of the business’s owners and operators. They have a natural ability to create a human workplace that treats employees as more than an element of production, they treat staff as family and the key ingredient to their organization’s success. A thank you card from one of their employees that was included with their nomination for the Employer of Distinction Award sums up the type of environment they have created, and I quote, “You always seem to know just what to say and do. I want you to know what a positive impact you have had on my life during this past year. When I see your smiling face and your relaxed demeanor on even the most chaotic of days you cause me to do the same. You have taught me and continue to teach me much about life and about the need for a genuine respect for people. Thank you for being my boss, my confidant and my friend.”
The first ever Path of Distinction Designation is presented to the Guv’nor St. John’s.