Manager or HR: Who Handles Staff Training?

In the hospitality industry, providing proper training to hotel staff is essential for ensuring a positive guest experience and overall success. This raises the question of who should be responsible for training: should the manager personally train their team, or delegate the responsibility to the HR department? In this article, we’ll explore both approaches to determine the best method for hotel training.

The Benefits of Manager-Led Training

1. Improved Relationships: When a manager personally trains their team, it can help to build stronger relationships and trust between the manager and staff members. This can lead to improved communication and a more positive work environment.
2. Increased Understanding: By personally leading training, the manager can ensure that their team has a complete understanding of the hotel’s expectations and procedures. The manager can also provide personalized feedback and coaching, helping staff members to improve their skills and performance.
3. Hands-On Approach: A hands-on approach to training allows the manager to lead by example and demonstrate the proper techniques and procedures. This can be a more effective method of training, as it allows staff members to see the right way to perform their duties.

The Benefits of HR-Led Training

1. Expertise: The HR department is often comprised of experts in employee training and development. They have the skills and knowledge to provide comprehensive training programs that cover all aspects of the hotel, from procedures to policies.
2. Consistency: By delegating training to the HR department, hotels can ensure that all staff members receive consistent training, regardless of the department they work in or the manager they report to. This can help to maintain a consistent level of quality and service across the hotel.
3. Standardization: HR-led training can help to standardize procedures and policies across the hotel, ensuring that all staff members are working to the same standards. This can help to prevent confusion and improve overall efficiency.

Choosing the Right Approach

Ultimately, the decision of whether to have a manager personally train their team or delegate the responsibility to the HR department will depend on the individual needs of the hotel. In some cases, a combination of both approaches may be the best solution.

For example, if the manager is experienced and knowledgeable about the hotel’s procedures, they may be the best person to lead hands-on training sessions. However, for more complex topics such as HR policies and procedures, it may be more appropriate to delegate the responsibility to the HR department.

Additionally, the size of the hotel and the number of staff members may also play a role in determining the best approach to training. In larger hotels with many staff members, it may be more efficient to delegate training to the HR department, while in smaller hotels, a manager-led approach may be more effective.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both manager-led and HR-led training have their own unique benefits and drawbacks. Hotel managers must consider their own experience, knowledge, and the needs of their hotel when deciding which approach is best for their team. By combining the two approaches and leveraging the strengths of both, hotels can ensure that their staff members receive comprehensive, effective training that helps them to deliver the best possible guest experience.