line cook

receptionist

guest service agent

food & beverage supervisor

sous chef

Holiday Inn

(Apologies for the essay but bear with me as I'm answering this honest and openly. It would be worth your time if you're considering working here, or perhaps if you already do and need the reassurance of how this place works, to see sense and find a job elsewhere.)

I started off applying for a job that was advertised as booking guests in/out, delivering newspapers to rooms, room service and "assisting" with bar work and preparing function rooms. Nothing more and didn't seem too bad for part time and minimum wage.

After an interview, being told about such a great company it is, how they look after their staff…"we're a family"* and started "training" I was thrown into a back office to do computer courses, often alone covering a 4 hour period.
I was told I would be working from 10:30pm - 7am, 4 nights on/4 nights off and with one other staff member per shift.
Which when I started my first shift, it then opened up to what the rest of the job was, that WASN'T advertised to me or to the rest night team members I worked with, and those before me. 

•I found out about how there was a 24/7 bar we had to man, which on some nights you wouldn't finish on the bar until 4-6am, with still your share of the cleaning or other work to do.

•There was a strenuous cleaning audit to follow and tedious tasks to complete when using broken/faulty appliances, sometimes gone missing before your shift. God forbid a guest soiled the bathroom or any other part of the hotel, you were left to your own devices to clean it up.

•Sexurity floor walks of the entire hotel - which out of 2 staff members, left eachother alone and potentially vulnerable.
--we resorted to using the radio system on these walks just so we were in constant communication with eachother, later told we shouldn't use them because "they were for the wedding planners to take guests around during the day"

•There was also a "Night Audit" to follow, so starting with manually counting coins from the till floats and to make sure they balanced to a set amount. Same with a safe, equating to a larger amount and then inputting all details onto the system. 
Manually counting up card transactions to make sure they balance for each account on the computer, then dividng sometimes hundreds of them up into card types and sellotaping them individually of 4/5 onto paper to be scanned into an often broken scanner.
Unnecessarily printing off reports, having to scan reports, email to them to people who already had access to them. 

•As of December, I was then qualified as the only night team member with a first aid qualification, I believe this became mandatory (if not a legal requirement anyway) after we suffered a few fights in the hotel between guests, threats from drug dealers using the hotel rooms, an incident were a drunken guest bounced off the entrance door and knocked himself out cold whilst suffering a head injury and extensive bleeding... We also had to deal with suicidal people jumping into the canal. All with no first aid training prior.

I reported to HR that the job is a lot more than advertised, I was stressing out without having training and working more than my fair share of additional nights too; she didn't have anything to say in response but modified the advertisement at least twice over my period of employment, as members came and went. 
This also resulted in an email from the General Manager to our dept who now reminded us that were a team and we should be "Training buddies" for the new recruits "because someone once shown us"(?) And Christmas and New year was approaching, so we were to fight amongst us for who was off/working which holiday and ended up in dispute.

*For a "family" they really knew how to speak behind your back and moan about anything and everything. Not only was it knives in the back but often twisted too. 
With my experience early on, two members of staff put a positive feedback card (which eventually rewarded gift cards) in the confidential waste bin, because they didn't like how that staff worked and lied about it to management after I reported it. One of those later got promoted to a managerial position, the other took to social media a few times to post derogative themes about fellow staff and the hotel, posting updates on a nights out when off sick or of drug use... Always got away with it.
The GM also took to working one night with me, to which he patronised me for my work that I took pride in, saying of how its "a one man job" whilst they couldn't keep the staff to maintain a full team, also being someone I asked a few times for training when I started.

There are some lovely staff members here, this is not a rant about the whole place or whole staff as I've met some great people working here, some I'm still friends with BUT this is no "family" and these people aren't your friends.... 

IF you work here, do you job and go home. All I can advise.

Work during breakfast it’s the usual routine of putting breakfast out, topping up foods, beverages, crockery, cutlery keeping customers satisfied for their stay. When breakfast is finished we have individual jobs of clean up the restaurant or the back work. Do occasion wakes, dinners, conference there is no training to this had to go with a flow what to do on the shift on many occasions. Before covid it was more in-depth work with constant cleaning and back work. I found enjoyable than post covid it’s more simple and more a cafe style than restaurant and very little work unless you work in the back of the kitchen. Communication to customers and gaining confidence is a plus in the job it helps you a long way with customer service skills.

The only criticism I can only say is, there a lack of training even the long term staff do struggle with the job I witness. Many occasions after breakfast is finish we have customers go to bar/bartsia with no skills and experience how am I suppose to serve? Supervisors only teach you once and expect you to know this straight after, I mentioned numerous of times for training it doesn’t happen and paying on the bill for customers for breakfast too need training too of authorise. When I/someone need supervisor on bar or any assistance unrelated to breakfast they never about or on break we have to solve the problem yourself and continue to apologise to the customer until they’re get served on bar with bar training. 

Management, I hardly seen my main boss, they are always kind and understanding in personal situations inside and outside work. They do try their best to give you work especially with college students, childcare or second jobs. My boss does try and keep everybody fair on the rota have witnessed favouritism on rota and in person in couple of supervisors. Supervisors couple of them are very good with explaining of improvements or any general situation always will help you personal or work wise to keep up with skills. Some supervisors will make you work certain areas you don’t enjoy when they on shift or they backstab of you to other colleagues in open field. Couple supervisors have told tales, we don’t get paid for our breaks on shift which we actually do unless it’s a long shift of 8 hours it’s half an hour. One/two supervisors I feel they have no understanding of equal rights on disability and of course have favourites. I do feel there is a lack of communication with supervisors and management with rules.

Challenging part is when you have a big house count and no teamwork you be expected to work through your break and stay over your shift time at least 2 hours extra in average, normally under 20 don’t stay it’s always myself, many workers parents, older staff or want the money stay over to help. You do get appreciation.

With the job zero hour it can be hard to know what shifts you get one week to the next as the rota weekly it’s hard to plan your life outside work. Expect a phone call/text of your supervisor for a last minute shift available or cancelled within an hour before shift which happened to me. Got up 5am for 7am shift cancelled at 6am. Also having to budget what you know getting paid, prepare to have little or no work January and February, my manager encourages to use our holidays to cover. Always write down in your phone or paper what hours you done on shift and holidays taken as been occasions they forgot to pay my shift and holiday getting that chase up is like getting blood out of a stone, does get sorted. Not sure how you get contracted hours job, I do prefer contracted work for sustainability. Christmas Day work except to work if you have no Childers otherwise you get no work the whole week of no pay due to this.

I do enjoy working with my fellow colleagues they always chatty and easy to get along not forgetting the couple of chefs and pot washers are lovely too. You always have a brown-nose or a gossip talking about you or snitch Have socialise other parts of the hotel like receptionists, sales, house keeping walking by they always friendly and polite.

I recommend this job mainly for students for the work experience or have a comfortable financial situation. Don’t recommend this job if you wanted contracted fixed hours work.

It was a good place to work at first and I still enjoy my job but there was a change in Front of House Management, now it is horrible. You raise issues and you are promised that they will be looked into, "just give us time" they say but nothing changes. The manager's attitude is awful, I'm sure she has bipolar or ego issues. 
The place in general is tough, they want the figures and scorecards and reviews to be up there with the best. We even hand out chocolate bars to guests when they check out in the hope they will give us a good review.
The whole hotel needs looking at, so many maintenance issues that are not getting fixed. No heating at the moment in a few rooms in November, USB ports next to beds in rooms do not work, taps drip, no handle on a window, door lock broken for 2 months at least, the button on the phones in rooms for room service is incorrect but it cannot be changed, the phone on reception crackles so bad you cannot hear the caller. We are on reception on our own trying to check guests in whilst answering the crackling telephone. You get questioned when you don't sign guests up to the IHG reward club. You have to print out a report every 2 hours but sometimes there is a queue of guests to check in and this is not possible as the report takes around 3 mins to print so they question why it wasn't done on time.
We are often overbooked on a Monday and Tuesday evening so have to find rooms for booked guests in alternative hotels in the area then tell the guest that they are staying somewhere else when they arrive in the hotel, what a joke!
I only lasted 5 months, still in training after 21 weeks as I work shifts on my own with no one to ask or train me and I am still on probation as no one spends the time with me to see how I'm doing. I get great reviews from guests though saying I was professional and confident even though I am still in training.

A typical night varied greatly - one night could be nice and quiet when you could get on with your reports and cleaning, the other could be wild with parties, walk ins, room service and what not. It's all part of the job. I personally, quite enjoyed the day to day of it. 

There is a lot to learn on the position, but you are given enough time and plenty of support to do so. 

There are clear rules of what you need to do, what you shouldn't do and what you must absolutely never do. Also clear instructions on how to on almost any probable situation to arise. 
As for the management themselves -  The night manager is amazing. Truly an amazing person. Very supportive and helpful, very patient with new employees and strict when needs to. 
Being on the night shift, I never had the pleasure to meet the others of the management team too often, but what I saw from them was only good. They do their thing and the place runs smoothly, which is the most important of it. When I needed support the most, I got more than expected. Very supportive, very caring. 
Also they make the work environment pleasant, morale high. We had a Christmas party, with all positions being covered by external staff so everyone could go, staff BBQ is somewhere in the plans, other fun days out, I won't be able to attend unfortunately. 

The hardest part of the job must be the Conferences. Sometimes, there are one too many to be prepared for the next day and it feels rushed. Maybe a bit more support and communication between day and night staff would solve that, but it's a WIP. However it is what it is and it's part of the job. 

The  most enjoyable part of the job for me was the job itself. There were no two nights that were the same and as an active adventurous soul I greatly enjoyed that. The position is high energy demanding, also at night, so keep that in mind.

What is the best part of working at the company?
There are no real employee benefits or company events, and the food provided is poor quality. Staff turnover is extremely high, which says a lot about the company culture and employee satisfaction. Employees do not seem to feel valued or properly supported, and the company appears unable to retain staff long term. Unfortunately, the workplace culture also feels unprofessional. Confidential matters shared with HR do not always feel respected, and gossip appears to circulate within the company. Interactions with HR can come across as rude or dismissive, which makes employees reluctant to raise concerns

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part of working at the company is the lack of support and professionalism. Staff turnover is extremely high, creating constant instability and extra pressure on employees who stay. Communication and management can feel unsupportive, and employees may not feel comfortable raising concerns due to a lack of trust in HR confidentiality. Overall, the environment can feel negative and demoralising, making it difficult to feel valued or secure in the role

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The main concern is the HR management. There is a lack of professionalism and confidentiality, which has created low morale, distrust, and high staff turnover

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A typical day can feel stressful and uncomfortable due to poor management and concerns around HR conduct. Comments made by HR were perceived as intimidating and unprofessional, which created an atmosphere of distrust and anxiety in the workplace

Having just left a role as an assistant housekeeping manager, I went into this job full of excitement and enthusiasm to do a job in a new job sector.
I felt my manager did support me in understanding the role and I picked it up quickly.
The job as slower and busier days, some days you will be cleaning and others checking rooms. I genuinely enjoyed it and I felt the pay reflected my efforts well.
The downside was unfortunately some of the team, they were rude and unprofessional on occasions and made me feel extremely uncomfortable in my role.
It was not a professional environment alot of the time, and I don't think there was a clear boundary of what is acceptable in a work place.

But the team was hard working and got the job done to a good standard. I just feel the team were very comfortable and set in their ways and it didn't offer a new person the chance to grow and make positive changes.
I certainly think the team needs to be fresh and welcome change and new people.
If a team member isn't treating someone fairly and is bullying. They should be removed from the team..
Unfortunately nothing was done about these incidents and I felt very alone in my struggles and not supported in my role.
I never went into the job and expected everybody to listen to me, I knew I had to go in and understand and learn the role while still trying to maintain a level of management when I was incharge to make sure everybody was doing their job to the best of there ability. 

I have now left the company as I felt very stressed and alone in my role and it's not worth risking my mental health for.

after being with these guys a few days the f n b manager thog that i was fully trained for i new thing iv never done before boy was he wrong witch ultimately led to me not passing my probation.

would staff have proper training i think you would survives ther probation but this is the least to say about working here.

the operations manager is very igronunt to you even if you say good morning normally people would say it back but he dose not just blanks you.

the manager will stand in customer areas talking in there own langitch witch is verry rude by anyone's standers thay also tell you about being on you phone in none customer areas but all managers stand at reception watching comedy with outher staff members and laffing despite use being tolled.

there is a few managers that tend to or attempt to bully you in cases like you are on the last day of thats weeks rota and still no new rota so people cannot plan things like child care ahead of time and wen you ask for it to be made earlier you are spoken to like dirt.

thay will have you working all hours with no structer you could be finishing work at 1 or 2 in the morning and still expected in work at 6am even wen its a 40 mins travel each way for some of use and there is no extra pay to cover taxis you have to get to work early or late due to no buses

this place is the very worst place if you want to be treated like dirt then go apply if not avoide them like the plage iv seen cat poo treated better then how thay treat you at this place

ow and the pay is min wage not worth it at all

I enjoy the reception aspect and the fact that I have the responsibility of a department, however some of the targets set are unrealistic and truly hard to accomplish, despite all the extra effort of trying.

I came in as an external manager, not knowing much about the brand and was informed that I would be going to another branch to learn from another Reception Manager what I needed to know to be able to demonstrate to my team competence. Unfortunately this did not pan out and I was left to fend for myself and learn from team members, which is not ideal for a new manager.

My co-workers for the most part are very supportive and hard working, flexible etc, however the majority of them are quite young and seem to lose their temper /get frustrated quickly - there also is an element of disrespect from some of them, due to the fact that I got the Reception Manager role from outside the business.

The hardest part of the job for me is not being informed of some of the tasks I needed to complete and when asking other Management, all I get told is I should know and sometimes I do not get an answer at all.

The most enjoyable part of the job, is the whole guest focus and experience - I am passionate about customer service.

The staff were amazing with me no complaints at all but the system is worst than rocket science. Shifts are 8.5 hours and you have to stand still on your feet 8 hours straight, was too much. 
 The company does’t even put chairs behind reception for the receptionist, my legs and feet were aching so much and I had very comfortable trainers on. By shifts end at 22:30pm by 21:00pm my brain wasn’t functioning whatever was said to me at that time would go on one ear come out the other of how tired mentally and physically I was I was literally trying to keep my eyes open it was quite bad. And for how much you work you only get 30 mins break you literally eat and look at the clock it’s time to go back. I would suggest receptionist chairs or high stools put behind for the people behind there I feel so sorry for them and their poor feet. They already have to deal with the difficult system let alone the pain of standing up for 8 hours. Little things that looked bad on receptionists was them wearing an apron that looked unprofessional it looked like we had just come out of the kitchen into the reception to cover because of short staff I would think so if I was a customer, I think receptionist need to look presentable and classy and the blue jeans on the staff looks unprofessional. Especially for such a nice hotel like that. 

This job was the my worst job experience ever. The salary is minimum wage and not enough to live off. The values are deplorable and only apply sometimes. There is no job security as they let you go whenever they feel for no good reason. Management is terrible and doesn't know how to manage. The company is managing itself as the managers are too busy causing trouble amongst the staff instead of doing their work. The staff does not get along despite many efforts to try. They find a problem with everyone who comes to work there and then join forces to get the person to leave. The staff then tries to make contact after you leave despite you not answering their calls and text. Due to the shift patterns (7 to 3 or 3 to 11), you don't have a social life. You work, sleep and then get ready to go back to work, especially when you work the 3 to 11 and then have to work the 7 to 3 the next day. And the money you work for is hardly enough to pay the bills. The staff turnover rate is very high. At least 2-3 persons leave or is sacked per month, which causes extra strain on the remaining staff that are already working under pressure and strenuous conditions. There are other jobs out there. An animal doesn't deserve to be treated this way, much least a human.

The only part of the job I enjoyed was meeting the guests. And yet, that became a problem with manager. :(

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Line cook 21 salaries reported	£13.85 per hour
Receptionist 18 salaries reported	£12.52 per hour
Guest service agent 26 salaries reported	£12.43 per hour
Food & beverage supervisor 20 salaries reported	£13.56 per hour
Sous chef 19 salaries reported	£29,585 per year

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