Hotel group uses innovative app for employees
Employee apps are already widely used by companies. Employees can be informed, chats can be used to exchange information, tasks can be managed and documents and processes can be made available. JUFA Hotels is taking internal communication one step further with its new employee app.
The new employee app rewards performance and participation, overcomes language barriers and focuses on the human side of employees.
After work comes the pleasure
In the case of JUFA Hotels, not only guests but also employees are pampered. Employees can get actively involved through likes, comments and completing "challenges" and are rewarded in a unique way. Employees can collect goodie points in the app in a fun way, which can then be redeemed in the goodie store. Regional and seasonal delicacies, electronic devices and vouchers are all available for point collectors to choose from.
However, these are not just any old prizes. The hotel management in Fürstenfeld (one of the 60 establishments in the hotel group) operates the in-house Goodie Store and caters specifically to the needs of employees. The opportunity to redeem goodie points for accommodation and breakfast vouchers throughout the year is particularly popular. To date, 137,000 points have already been redeemed, underlining the high level of acceptance and popularity of the app. This allows employees to reap the rewards of their own working day. "Belonging and being heard - that's important to employees," says Yasmin Bobik, who works in the HR management team.
The heart of hotel operations also beats for employees
The hotel group's employees not only have access to up-to-date information, but can also actively participate and express their opinions. Twice a year, the wishes and ideas of employees are collected in an employee survey. The ideas flow into the app and are then displayed on a Kanban board for illustration purposes. The pinboard is used the most, allowing stories and experiences to be shared during the working day, which strengthens the sense of community. According to Gerhard Wendl (Managing Director, owner and founder of the hotel group), the automatic translation function is particularly helpful. "All content can be translated at the touch of a button. We have employees from over 40 countries, including many refugees since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis. The app helps us to overcome language barriers and work together as a team without borders," he emphasizes.
The app has exceeded all expectations
The reward system has hit like a bomb: around 1600 employees have generated over 198,000 hits, more than 51,000 "liked" posts and over 17,000 comments. Points are also awarded for successfully completed training courses or successful audits, as well as for positive guest reviews and positive economic figures. Yasmin Bobik, a member of the HR management team, is pleasantly surprised by the high level of participation: "The response has been overwhelming and the number of registrations is growing steadily. There is a great deal of interest in the hotel chain and the company. It is enriching to be part of the team and JUFA Hotels."
Source: www.jufahotels.com
