TALENT DRAIN IN LUXURY HOTELS: EXPLORING CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYEE RETENTION

Abstract

High levels of employee expectation, industry competitive dynamics and demanding working environments expose luxury hotels to talent drain, in particular. This study examines the main causes of employee turnover to five star and luxury hotel properties as well as the recommendations of sustainable solutions to encourage long-term retention of employees. The mixed-methods approach was used to collect the data, and it included a survey of 220 workers in the hotel industry and interviews of 15 HR managers in the branded-premium hospitality hotel business situated in Indian metropolitan cities. The most critical insights indicate poor career growth, work life/family nights, poor recognition and effective leadership as the major factors leading to the departure of workers. The paper also singles out some of the best practices used in high-retention hotels such as mentorship programs, internal mobility, individual learning pathways, and mental wellness practices. Suggestions are given so that the management of the hotel can develop models of sustainable retention, according to directions determined by the desires of employees and the needs of the business.