Vancouver Island Tourism Conference

go2HR and the Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Chapter (CMHA BC) have collaborated for over a year to provide various mental health supports and resources to the tourism and hospitality industry, particularly in the wake of the global pandemic.

Their latest initiative – a new position called Psychological Learning Coach – responds to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the tourism and hospitality industry and the resulting strain and stress on its employers and workers. Funded by a grant from the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, the Psychological Learning Coaches are rigorously trained to work with industry members in regions across BC. The coaches are available at no cost and act as mental wellness “concierges” who offer personalized, one-on-one support addressing stress, burnout, isolation, uncertainty about the future, and other concerns. The coaches also work with employers and supervisors to establish a foundation of “psychological safety” in the workplace – in other words, an environment that enhances connection, productivity and retention and allows workers to show up as their true selves without fear of negative consequences to self-image, status or career.

To complement the Psychological Learning Coaches, go2HR and CMHA BC offer the following mental wellness resources:

• BC’s Hub for Workplace Mental Health is an online portal that compiles support, training, a community network and other resources for anyone seeking mental health support.
• Access to a Workplace Learning Coach through email or live chat. These coaches guide finding relevant mental health, financial, and business supports via BC’s Hub for Workplace Mental Health or community partners and external organizations.
• Access to free mental health training, including Caring and Respectful Employer (CARE) Level 1.
• Peer support groups and monitored online forums.

According to a 2020 report by Statistics Canada, one in four women and one in six men experienced inappropriate sexualized behaviours at work within the previous year, including inappropriate verbal or non-verbal communication, sexually explicit materials, and unwanted physical contact.

While workplace sexual harassment is a serious issue in all industries, go2HR is actively working to reduce tourism and hospitality problems. The organization has embarked on a three-year initiative called “Safer Spaces” that comprises the following:

• An education and training program ensures employers and supervisors are aware of the legal and societal expectations related to preventing sexual harassment in the workplace or handling harassment should it occur.
• Clear communication to workers of their rights and ways to access help – legal, counselling or otherwise – if they have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.

Through this programming, Safer Spaces will act as a conduit toward increased reporting of workplace sexual harassment and, ultimately, reducing incidences of harassment in tourism and hospitality.

The first online training course launched in March! The Safer Spaces online training course for employers and supervisors provides foundational training on preventing sexual harassment and receiving and responding to a sexual harassment disclosure. Modules include:

• What is sexual harassment?
• Risk factors in tourism and hospitality
• Roles and responsibilities
• Creating a positive workplace culture
• Receiving a disclosure and much more!

Register for the Course

Pre-pandemic, the tourism and hospitality industry was a strong economic driver in BC, accounting for more than 12% of provincial employment. One in eight British Columbians worked in the industry. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant cutbacks, affecting both workers and employers.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, go2HR collected research on staffing, aggregating it by region and industry. This information is provided free of charge and compares pandemic employment levels to pre-pandemic employment.

Post-pandemic, near-term recovery, longer-term resilience, and future growth of the tourism and hospitality industry will rely on people power. go2HR led industry consultation to build, develop and communicate a labour recovery framework.

Access the labour market information tracker

Read about the labour market recovery framework

Are you looking to hire some fantastic employees? Post a job on our job board- BC’s only tourism and hospitality specific job board. Are you looking to change careers? We currently have over 800 postings!

Learn More

Ensuring your staff is properly trained is a large part of welcoming guests back. go2HR offers several essential training programs: SuperHost Customer Service Training, Foundations of Workplace Safety, FOODSAFE Level 1, and COVID-19 recovery-focused BSAFE. Many of these courses are currently offered free or at a discounted rate!

Learn More

Regaining and building consumer confidence to travel in a post-COVID environment is necessary for our industry to recover. Our SuperHost Destination Ambassador Program is well-positioned to do just that. Provide your stakeholders, volunteers, destination ambassadors, guest services staff and more with the skills they need today to put your community’s best foot forward to visitors and guests.

Learn More