Jochem-Jan Sleiffer says employing people of determination is at the top of his agenda
Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, the area president for Hilton in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, wants to employ more people of determination not just in Hilton properties, but across the entire hospitality industry.
Speaking to Hotelier Middle East during this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM), Sleiffer explained sustainability is one of the group’s main talking points at the event, of which diversity and inclusion fall within.
He said: “At ATM this year, Hilton is all about ‘Travel with Purpose’, and it’s at the top of our agenda. Our customers are asking for it, they want to know we are lessening our carbon footprint, using local products and ensuring our hotels are sustainable in the long run.
“The team members are asking for it too, people want to know the company they’re working for is somewhere they can be proud. In MICE, we’re working with a partner called South Pole which has a meetings impact calculator which can look at flights, lunches and dinners, the number of people, and provide ways to offset your carbon footprint.
“It’s top of mind for everyone and it’s big for us. For every team member we have in the region, we’re planting a tree – around 22,000 right now.
“We have a whole programme we empower individual hotels to do. From beach clean-ups to awareness drives, to environmental champions in each hotel.”
Jochem-Jan Sleiffer hiring people of determination
The area president went on to explain the importance of hiring people of determination, saying Hilton must be a reflection of modern day society.
He continued: “Another thing, our team members should be a reflection of the society we are in – and I think sometimes businesses can miss the mark on that. So we really want to focus more on [employing] people of determination.
“We as an industry can do more to make sure they can work in our hotels and thrive. We’re working with the Dubai Executive Council to see how the whole industry – not just Hilton – can get more people of determination into the industry. Raising awareness and creating jobs is key and there’s a big opportunity right now to fill a number of different roles.”
Empowerment within Hilton
Person of determination is a term first introduced in 2016 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to describe anyone living with special needs or disability outlined in the Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 Concerning the Rights of People with Special Needs.
Properties such as Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers last year launched an initiative to coach, train and support young people – including people of determination – looking for employment or internships at the property.
For its Inclusive Internships and Employment Programme, Conrad Abu Dhabi teamed with SEDRA, a non-profit organisation in the emirate focused on removing the barriers to entry for people of determination to excel in the workplace.
Sleiffer explained that such initiatives not only benefit society but also hotel service. He explained: “Morale is a big one. More than just that though, what I’ve seen over the years is that people of determination are incredibly loyal – very, very loyal. Companies take care of them, we mentor them, and that translates to loyalty.
“Relating that to service, if a staff member is loyal, it really comes across to the guest. They stay with a hotel for longer and are able to recognise and form connections with returning guests.”
Looking towards the future, the Hilton chief is aiming not only to provide people of determination with entry level roles but also to help them progress through hospitality.
He said: “It’s all about creating awareness, there’s no reason why people of determination cannot climb the ladder. Any form of condition shouldn’t make any difference to that, and it doesn’t for us.”
