labor & employment
AAHOA Applauds NLRB’s Withdrawal of Joint-Employer Rule Appeal
AAHOA | July 22, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 22 – The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) welcomes the recent announcement that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has formally withdrawn its appeal of the Federal Court decision nullifying the latest attempt to rewrite the joint-employer rules. This development marks a significant victory for hotel owners and franchisees across the United States. The joint-employer rule, which could have a significant impact on small business owners, including franchisees, determines when multiple employers are responsible for an individual employee. The proposed changes created considerable ambiguity. The co...
The Impact of Advanced Technology on Employment
Christopher Martinez | July 11, 2024
As our world has evolved, so has companies' hiring process across the workforce. Advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence or AI, have changed how employers review applications. Many employers have become reliant on technology and AI to identify quality candidates, and such a practice has negatively impacted applicants, as the usage of AI technology to review applications has significantly decreased individuals’ chances for employment. With algorithms and AI being used to review submitted applications and evaluate applicant responses in online assessments, qualified individuals who apply for open positions can be reje...
AHLA Workforce Report: Hotels Add 700 Jobs in June
AHLA | July 8, 2024
Hotels more than 196,000 jobs short of pre-pandemic levels amid economy-wide labor shortage WASHINGTON (July 8, 2024) – U.S. hotels added 700 jobs to their payrolls in June, according to the latest government data that shows the nationwide workforce shortage continues to make it difficult for hotels to fill open jobs. Total hotel employment stands at about 1.92 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s more than 196,000 fewer workers in the industry than in February 2020, just before the pandemic hit, a shortfall that reflects the scarcity of available employees. BLS also revised down the total number of hot...
H-2B Visas as Quality Solution for Hospitality: Improve Customer Service With a Fully Staffed Team
Suzanne Sukkar | July 2, 2024
By Suzanne Sukkar and Najah Allaham Managing a hotel, keeping it fully staffed, and maintaining a high level of customer service is stressful. Whether it is peak summer travel, football season, skiing at the lodge in the wintertime, or Spring Training, labor shortages and seasonal workforce demands have hospitality managers constantly placing help wanted ads. There is another reliable (concierge level) solution that will put to bed at least one hospitality grievance and that is the H-2B visa program. This program allows hotels to bring in foreign workers for temporary, non-agricultural jobs precisely when you need them most. Whether you nee...
76% of Surveyed Hotels Report Staffing Shortages
AHLA | June 10, 2024
Hotels on hiring spree with higher wages, better benefits, more flexibility WASHINGTON (June 10, 2024) – More than three-quarters of surveyed hotels are experiencing a staffing shortage, and hotels are increasing pay, benefits, and perks to recruit and retain employees, according to a May survey of hoteliers conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Over the last six months, 86% of respondents have increased wages, 52% have offered greater flexibility with hours, and 33% have expanded benefits to cope with the nationwide workforce shortage. Nonetheless, 79% say they are still unable to fill open positions. ...
AHLA Workforce Report: Hotels Add 700 Jobs in May
AHLA | June 10, 2024
Hotels more than 190,000 jobs short of pre-pandemic levels amid economy-wide labor shortage WASHINGTON (June 10, 2024) – U.S. hotels added 700 jobs to their payrolls in May, according to the latest government data that shows the nationwide workforce shortage continues to make it difficult for hotels to fill open jobs. Total hotel employment stands at about 1.92 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s 191,500 fewer workers in the industry than in February 2020, just before the pandemic hit, a shortfall that reflects the scarcity of available employees since then. “Hotels are ready to grow and create more...
Travel & Tourism in China Set to Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels This Year
The World Travel & Tourism Council | June 6, 2024
Beijing, China: The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has revealed today that China’s Travel & Tourism sector is set to inject a record-breaking ¥12.62TN into the national economy by the end of this year. In partnership with Oxford Economics, a world leader in global economic forecasting, WTTC’s latest research shows that domestic travel spend is also set to reach new heights this year – expected to contribute ¥6.79TN into China’s economy in 2024. According to the global tourism body, employment in Travel & Tourism is expected to represent 10.6% of all jobs in the countr...
New Labor Challenges Arise in 2023
Robert Mandelbaum | June 6, 2024
By Robert Mandelbaum, Andrea Grigg The scarcity of employees has long been the primary labor concern for U.S. hoteliers, even before the onset of the COVD-19 pandemic. Historically, jobs in the lodging industry have had a negative perception as being too physically demanding, requiring too long of hours, and requiring work on weekends and holidays. The shortage of personnel was exaggerated during 2021 and 2022 as many of the employees that were laid off during the pandemic in 2020 opted not to return to the industry. The difficulty of attracting workers to fill line-level positions within hotels lessened somewhat in 2023. Reductions in ...