A staff inducing programme for hotels in South Africa

Abstract

This paper discusses the development and enrichment of a theoretical framework for a staff induction programme for South Africa. Such a research project could add value to the hospitality industry in South Africa and further afield, by providing a solution to the challenges involved in the recruitment, development and retention of qualified and skilled hospitality employees. A literature review paved the way for the formulation of a generic four-stage staff induction programme. Semi-structured personal interviews were conducted with five representatives responsible for the staff induction programmes at five of the best companies to work for in South Africa, to contextualise this to the South African context. Personal interviews were then conducted with two representatives of two major hotel groups in order to contextualise the staff induction programme to the South African hospitality industry. This led to the proposal of a staff induction programme that consists of three stages, namely the anticipatory, encounter and adjustment phases. The implementation of this proposed staff induction programme for hotels in South Africa may act as a best practice in the development of new staff induction programmes, and may improve the effectiveness of current staff induction programmes. This may lead to better staff retention rates, reduction in absenteeism, a higher level of skills and productivity, as well as increased staff morale and motivation.