Working here was literally some of the worst years of my life. This property was toxic through and through. Senior management (not including our GM, he was wonderful) really set the tone for a negative work/life balance that trickled all the way down to the line staff.
The concept of work/life balance doesn’t exist. Every manager must be on duty for every single holiday, even if when the holiday rolls around, some of us are standing around because there are SO many people there. They don’t even consider letting 1 person at a time have a holiday to spend with their loved ones. You’re literally married to the hotel, and that’s it.
The inappropriate things that are said to staff are also staggering. I’ve had female coworkers who were walked to the spa by MALE management, and told to learn how to do better makeup or fix their hair with the spa staff. I’ve had a friend reprimanded on her acne (out of her control) and hair texture (out of her control), again by men in the company.
I’ve had to report people on drugs at work, kitchen staff drinking on the job (can’t blame them, this is a grueling place to work), and had to bring other servers to HR for sexual harassment of underage interns. This particular server wasn’t even fired even though there were multiple offenses.
Since leaving the company I have had an incredible improvement to my work life balance, my mental health, and the amount of money I make. Never again will I let a job take me away from my family during holidays and birthdays, because that’s time I will never get back. I’ve watched marriages and relationships fall apart at the Four Seasons, because people devote every moment of their lives to “climbing the ranks”.
That type of antiquated style of business is not relevant anymore. It’s about personal and professional growth, a healthy and fulfilling work environment, and treating your employees with respect.
If I were you, I wouldn’t go into this industry or work for this company. It’s a GREAT place to stay, but I always make sure to be extra kind to the staff and pay my appreciation. They deserve it.
