This category opens Monday 17th March at 10:00am and closes Monday 28th April at 23:59pm
This category celebrates employers who have demonstrated a real commitment to the welfare of their employees, providing a supportive and inspiring work environment. Diversity and inclusivity should be core to the business, ensuring workers from all backgrounds can thrive and succeed.
This award aims to highlight and celebrate employers who are showcasing tourism, hospitality and events as an exciting career path and inspiring the next generation. In line with the Outlook 2030 strategy, businesses should support Scotland’s ambition to become a leading Fair Work Nation, and provide opportunities for development to their employees.
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh
2024 National Winner
Who Should Enter:
Tourism and events businesses which
are going above and beyond for their employees. Employers should demonstrate a
commitment to Responsible Tourism & Events practices and align with Scotland’s Outlook
2030 strategy and its commitment to a skilled, committed, diverse, and valued
workforce.
Entry Questions
Executive Summary
The purpose of the Executive Summary is to give judges a general overview and better understanding of your business. Although not an exhaustive list, some examples of the type of information judges will be looking for are listed below. This question is not scored and is for background information only.
- Types of services on offer
- Size and purpose of your business
- How long you have been operating
- Any other information you feel is relevant
1. In what ways do you provide an inspiring and supportive work environment for your employees?
You should provide clear evidence of activity within the time period 1st May 2024 – 31st March 2025. Please cover any areas you think are relevant, although you may wish to include aspects such as:
- How you demonstrate a commitment to the welfare of your employees. Is there a staff wellbeing programme and if so how many staff actively participate?
- Training and development opportunities on offer and employee participation rate - How many employees have undertaken and successfully completed CPD training and development programmes over the last year?
- Employee satisfaction score – what staff feedback system(s) do you have in place and what are the results from last year? Do you conduct an employee satisfaction survey?
- What is the overall staff retention rate over the last 12 months?
- How you support Scotland’s ambition to become a leading Fair Work Nation
2. How are you, as an employer, showcasing tourism, hospitality and/or events as an exciting career path?
You should provide clear evidence of activity within the time period 1st May 2024 – 31st March 2025. Please cover any areas you think are relevant, although you may wish to include aspects such as:
- Your approach to attracting and recruiting young people across your organisation
- Your approach to retaining youth talent and creating a pipeline of talent
- Any work experience opportunities you offer, eg. how many interns/apprentices have been employed and successfully completed their programmes over the last year?
- Career advancement opportunities offered and taken - what evidence of career advancement and opportunities available to employees over the last year can be provided and how many have been taken?
3. Our communities, environments, and natural and built heritage are what make Scotland unique. Please demonstrate your commitment to protect and support them through responsible tourism practices, considering elements such as inclusion and accessibility, sustainability and/or protecting the natural environment.
Please cover any areas you think are relevant although you may wish to include aspects such as:
- Developing a climate action plan; achieving green awards; green champions within your business/event; promoting sustainable practices undertaken in your business/event; encouraging guests to stay longer; reducing waste from packaging; reducing food waste; increasing energy efficiency
- Employee training; ensuring employees from all backgrounds and abilities can thrive and succeed in your workplace; ensuring that you are providing for visitors with access requirements; creating and promoting an access guide on your website
- Using local products and services, working with local businesses, craftspeople and suppliers, hiring local staff
- Promoting the local area, including nearby businesses and attractions; sharing the history of your accommodation, community and local area
- Implementing nature-based solutions that protect, restore or create thriving natural habitats, such as protection of eco-systems, capturing carbon in nature, tree planting etc
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