SAFETY IN HOTEL OPERATIONS
7 TIPS TO SUPPORT NEW CANADIANS AT WORK IN HOSPITALITY FROM WORKPLACE SAFETY & PREVENTION SERVICES
Canada has been welcoming approximately 400,000 immigrants each year since 2021, according to data from Statistics Canada. That’s a lot of people arriving within a short period of time, and many are building their lives in Canada with jobs in the service and hospitality sector. All of this means that there’s a good chance your hospitality team already has some new hires who are also new Canadians. “In the hotel industry, we’re seeing a lot of newcomers working as room attendants, taking on cleaning and laundry duties, dealing with parking, and performing building and property maintenance,” says David Smith, partnership account manager at Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS). “It’s important for employers and supervisors to recognize the barriers that new Canadians face so that they can support them through their transition and set them up for success at work.” Smith explains that the first step for a newcomer isn’t necessarily to look for a job right away. First, they need to get settled. “Settlement agencies will help with finding a place to live, getting kids registered in school, learning the area and how to get around on transit. Once people get used to their new surroundings and routines become established, they are ready to enter the workforce. 8
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EXPLAINING WORKER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Depending on where an employee came from, the rights and responsibilities of working in Canada may be new to them. “When you have someone new to Canada on your team, you really need to emphasize the rights of workers—the right to know, the right to participate, and the right to refuse unsafe work,” says Smith. “Understanding these rights is particularly important for new workers because they need to understand that they will not be punished for asking questions or pointing out a hazard.” In addition to their rights, new workers also need to understand their responsibilities, such as using required personal protective equipment and reporting hazards when they see them. Ensure that all new workers, whether new to Canada or not, receive health and safety awareness training that covers this information. Employers must also provide a proper orientation so that new workers become familiar with the property and facility, along with training on how to safely perform their duties. “As an employer or supervisor, you need to explain the hazards that workers may encounter while doing their jobs so they are aware. You also need to explain the controls or procedures that are in place to protect them,” says Smith. “It’s important for workers to understand why they are supposed to do something a certain way. Often, it’s to prevent them from getting an injury or illness.”
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Understanding these rights is particularly important for new workers because they need to understand that they will not be punished for asking questions or pointing out a hazard.”