Page 39 - Fiji Traveller Issue 2

“We took that opportunity to talk to our staff as well, because
they were confused,” said Shazleen. “They didn't know what was
happening such as when the hotels would open, or when they
would come back to work. So while giving the food packs away,
we gave them comfort that as soon as business picks up, they
will be coming back.”
Almost 1200 Marriot staff members were made redundant
during the pandemic. But when it was clear borders would soon
reopen, “We knew that we needed a lot of talent to re-open our
properties,” Shazleen said.
To prepare, they launched the Fiji Marriott Training Academy.
“We wanted to have an in-house training academy where we
upskill our people. We went out to our (traditional) landowners as
they would have a lot of unemployed youths, saying, ‘How about
sending us applications? We are looking to put 40 people in the
training room. We will train them in front office, housekeeping,
food and beverage and kitchen operations.’”
She says over three months, more than 1000 staff were
recruited and Marriott Fiji’s chain of hotels reopened last May.
“The reason why we have this Training Academy is we have a
lot of people migrating overseas, and it's a challenge to replace
those roles because it takes three to four weeks to advertise the
position, get somebody in and train them. So with the training
academy, I’d have a batch of 20 people ready to take an F&B
(food and beverage) position. I just pick somebody up from
there and put them in the job which solves our talent acquisition
challenges as well as talent retention,” she told Fiji Traveller.
Shazleen has since received well-deserved accolades for her
strong leadership skills. She was the first in Fiji to be recognised
Resort and the Fiji Marriott Momi Bay Resort. as HR leader of the year at the Marriott International APEC
While those properties closed or operated at vastly reduced Annual Awards in 2022. She is also the recipient of the ‘Spirit to
levels during the pandemic, initiatives such as 'Solia Lesu', serve our communities’ award, whilst her team was handed the
which means ‘to give back’, came into play. Team Resilience award as part of the 'Solia Lesu' initiative.
“Back in 2020, when Covid hit, everybody was on reduced pay Supporting the big Marriott team through Covid has “made me
and even some on leave without pay. At that point in time, we experience a very different side of humanity,” she said. “Although
received a lot of comments from our staff that they didn’t have my staff would be on leave without pay or made redundant, they
food to eat. They would come to work and get used to having would welcome me with open arms into their homes and not hold
meals at the staff cafeteria which would be the only food they a grudge against me. Just sitting and talking with them and being
would eat throughout the day,” she explained. offered kava as a matter of respect, you feel part of everyone.
“So the executive leadership, including myself, thought we By far, that has been my most memorable moment which I will
could start something very small, starting with food packs for cherish forever.
our staff community areas. We put in money from our side and “What I’ve learned from working here is that if you have people
started cooking food at the hotel, packing that up and handing around you, if you look after them, they are the ones who are
them out. going to be there for you in the time of need.
With sponsors onboard, Marriott Fiji was able to distribute “Having that agility inside of you where you want to actually
over 5000 hot meal packs and more than 1000 ration packs of help people solve their problems is the best skill you can have if
basic food items to staff communities, police officers, frontline you want to work for the tourism industry. Our tourism industry
healthcare workers and homeless people in Sigatoka, Nadi and flourishes because of our bula smile and our willingness to go
Lautoka. Schools and hospitals were also assisted, she said. that extra mile to help people,” she added.

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