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Casa de Campo Resort & Villas was ranked number 11 among the Great Places to Work in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean in 2023. 122 companies participated in this ranking conducted by the international firm Great Place to Work (GPTW).
Casa de Campo’s Human Talent Management Manager, Rosario Vélez, received the recognition on behalf of the resort at the celebration held at the Convention Center in the city of San José, Costa Rica, on May 18, 2023.
In August of last year, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas obtained the “GREAT PLACE TO WORK® Caribbean and Central America” certification, one of the most prestigious national and international certifications granted annually by the Great Place to Work Institute to the best employers in the world.
As a result of its hard work, the resort achieved a Trust Index score of 92%, surpassing the national and regional averages of 86% and 85%, respectively. This makes it one of the best places to work in the country and the Caribbean.
These recognitions are the result of implementing different practices that contribute to improving the work environment of Casa de Campo hotel employees. Vélez detailed some of the actions implemented, among which the following stand out:
Deaf Inclusion Program
Casa de Campo Resort & Villas has employed seven deaf people in three departments since 2018, with four women work in the Laundry Department, two males work in the cart area, and one works in the Golf Department.
According to Casa de Campo, these individuals have been hired based on their competence, not because of their hearing impairment.
These employees are hired through the Patronato Benéfico Oriental (PBO), which operates a school for the deaf in La Romana.
Catamaran boat for employees
Casa de Campo acquired a catamaran boat to ensure the safety and comfort of employees working on Catalina Island. The boat, which cost 15 million pesos, can transport 50 people.
Vélez explained that this purchase was a long-standing demand since the resort has a staff of employees who travel by sea every day to provide services to clients who purchase the excursion to Catalina Island.
Wellness Wednesday
After the pandemic, there has been an increase in work-related stress in companies. In response, the Human Talent Management Department partnered with naturopathic doctor Kira Montagu.
Montagu visits all Casa de Campo hotel departments on Wednesdays and teaches employees breathing techniques, meditation, stretching, and healthy food preparation in the dining area.
“Our people have highly valued this program with very nice comments,” said Vélez, who understands that in this way relaxation is facilitated for the collaborator, which in turn leads to optimizing their performance.
Practices linked to values
Values play a fundamental role at Casa de Campo. The Human Talent Management Department has developed various practices linked to different values to recognize the attitude and performance of employees.
These practices include attendance programs, celebrations of significant moments, recognition of employees of the year, and celebrations of occasions such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Dominican Independence Day, Men’s and Women’s Day, Workers’ Day, Secretaries’ Day, among others.
Additionally, Casa de Campo provides support in difficult situations, such as illness or the death of a loved one of an employee.
They also recognize positive actions taken by the “Casacultores,” such as reporting boxes with valuables in hotel rooms or lost cell phones.
“All employees who exhibit good practices receive an honesty medal, which accumulates throughout the year,” said Vélez. “Those with the most medals at the end of the year receive important prizes, such as hotel vacations.”
Family integration and sports tournaments
Casa de Campo holds a sports tournament among employees, inviting their families to participate every year. This activity aims to promote family integration, teamwork, and the integration between the family and the company. The competitions can include softball, basketball, soccer, or dominoes.
Furthermore, Casa de Campo recently inaugurated a new training room with a capacity for 28 people. The room is equipped with modern equipment and tools to facilitate the development and growth of the Casacultores.
Preparations for the next certification
Rosario Vélez, the human talent management manager, announced that preparations for the Great Place to Work (GPTW) certification for 2023-2024 have already begun, as the previous certification obtained in 2022 expires in August of this year.
“By July, we will have the survey to achieve the 2023-2024 certification,” said Vélez. She also mentioned that they are taking steps to participate again in the ranking.
When asked about Casa de Campo’s 11th place ranking in the GPTW ranking, Vélez expressed pride and satisfaction. “I expected a higher position but it motivates us to aim for a better place in the next ranking.”
“At Casa de Campo, we have elevated our brand as an employer through all these mentioned practices, with the purpose of making it an attractive place for people, especially young people, to come to work and stay.”
Rosario Vélez
Vélez points out that many employees stay in their jobs because they understand that Casa de Campo is a place where they can grow.
“Forty-eight percent of our people say they stay at Casa de Campo because they see an opportunity for growth and development,” she said. “All these practices, plus all the training programs, make our people stay.”