Wind Creek Hospitality has enacted multiple efforts to recognize the added pressures employees are experiencing due to spiraling inflation driving up the cost of groceries and gasoline. “These added and unexpected costs are creating a great burden on our employees, and we want to take steps within our power to relieve some of that burden where we can,” said Catherine Timmons, EVP of Human Resources for Wind Creek.

The first step in those efforts is a one-time cash stipend awarded to Wind Creek employees, full-time and part-time alike, supported by the Tribal Council of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians [parent of WCH].

The second step is an accelerated roll-out of flexible working arrangements to help minimize fuel and child-care expenses. “If we can create schedules where employees only have to drive to work three or four days each week instead of the traditional five days, it amounts to a 20 percent or even 40 percent reduction in fuel costs and potential child-care costs,” observed President and CEO Jay Dorris. “Those are important dollars for the families of our team. Every dollar they don’t have to put into a gas tank is a dollar they can use elsewhere for their families.”

This second effort was a pilot initiative that started in a post-pandemic era, responding to a need for some greater autonomy by a changing workforce. “Offering hourly employees a choice to work the traditional five eight-hour shifts, four ten-hour shift, or even three twelve-hour shifts gives our team members the options needed to build a work schedule that works with their life schedule,” Dorris continued. “Now we get the added impact of providing some better economic footing along with the requested flexibility employees are seeking today.”

While the flexible shift options are not universally available for all roles at all locations, WCH is working as diligently as possible to look for every opportunity to add flexibility without compromising the guest experience.

Details of both the stipend and options for flexible schedules are being shared with team members later this month.

Contributed article