- Give us a brief about the basic ideology behind the in-cooperation of LGBTQ+ communities in the hospitality industry? What was the initial thought-process of DoubleTree by Hilton Agra and how did you seamlessly execute the same?
In line with the Hilton vision: To fill the Earth with Light and Warmth of hospitality”, we had already taken our first two steps towards creating an inclusive environment, women in leadership and hiring specially abled. After stabilizing both these parameters, we wanted to take our next step, which was hiring Transgender and giving them the platform to start afresh their careers and leave behind any inhibitions they have about being accepted in society.
- Since DoubleTree by Hilton Agra becomes the first hotel in its group extending employment opportunities to the LGBTQ+ communities, What other services are provided by the hotel to the community? (From restrooms to any special care taken by the hotel)
Providing a separate washroom would have made them feel excluded. They have been provided with all the facilities that are available for our team members. Yes, we were mindful while allocating them job responsibilities focusing on areas with limited or no physical stress like long standing hours or lifting, avoiding high temperature zones, etc. This was done considering the fact that the hormonal therapy that they undergo takes a toll on them and we wanted to provide them comforts wherever possible. Focusing on the little things that matters.
- Since the Hospitality industry is all about interpersonal relationship between the Hotel staff and its visitors, What are the proactive measures taken for a seamless interaction between them?
Our first stage was to determine whether we ourselves are ready for a such a big commitment or not. In order to do so, we had arranged for a sensitization session with our partners “The Humsafar Trust” who works towards spreading awareness and uplifting the LGBTQ community. We organised three batches of sensitization session with our team members, where we were made to comprehend the journey and identity crises that each individual under LGBTQ goes through. Each session was three hours, long enough to understand the physical, hormonal changes they undergo but not long enough to understand the pain/trauma they go through each day.
These sensitization sessions and our DoubleTree culture of “CARE” has provided them the environment that they have been looking for to flourish and start their stable careers.
- Inputs from Shiv and Manveer the newest team members from the Transgender community, How has their journey in the hospitality industry been so far ?
Both Shiv and Manveer are delighted to be working with DoubleTree by Hilton Agra. In their own words “ they have never experienced such warmth in any of their previous jobs and they have the freedom to work under their own identity as a Transman with nothing to hide”.
- Since the recruitments of LGBTQ community has been successful at DoubleTree by Hilton Agra, Are the other branches of Hilton planning to follow the same?
Yes, definitely. Hilton believes in driving inclusive work culture and hence most of the Hilton properties are eager to add people from LGBTQ community to their teams and making them a part of larger workforce representing the Hilton brand and its values.
- Since DoubleTree by Hilton Agra has become a ‘trendsetter’ with their Transgender community recruitments, What advice would you give to the the other Hotels in the Hospitality sectors regarding the same?
Our simple advice to them would be to embrace the LGBTQA community with open arms and provide them a nourishing environment where they can let go all their inhibitions. A place where they can focus on building their identity as an self- sufficing individual. Hospitality industry is known for creating exceptional experiences for its guests, let us start by creating such experiences for our internal guests which is our team members.
