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From the ski slopes of Mont-Tremblant and Saint-Sauveur in the winter, to multicultural festivals in Montréal during the summer, and culinary seasons in Montréal and Québec City, hotel demand fluctuates significantly throughout the year.
Here we’ll discuss how hoteliers can balance operational needs and union rules while continuing to deliver quality service.
The Challenges of Seasonality
- High Season: Finding qualified staff can be difficult, especially with strict union regulations.
- Low Season: Reducing hours or reassigning staff isn’t always easy, often leading to high labor costs.
Union Flexibility: Myth or Reality?
It’s often believed that union agreements completely block flexibility when it comes to scheduling and team management. In reality hotels are finding success by:
- Voluntary Cross-Training: Staff trained in multiple roles can support different departments.
- Transparent Scheduling: Schedules based on objective data build trust.
- Proactive Negotiation: Discussing seasonal needs with unions before high season makes reaching agreements easier.
Building a Flexible Workforce
- Train staff in multiple positions during slower periods.
- Create a structured onboarding process for temporary workers.
- Rotate cross-trained staff to avoid burnout and maintain service quality.
Automation and Communication
- Manual scheduling often leads to errors, favoritism, and mistrust.
- Digital tools allow for automatic scheduling based on union rules, seniority, and skills.
- Real-time visibility simplifies adjustments and makes compliance audits easier.
Optimizing the Low Seasons
- Use slower periods for training and professional development.
- Launch creative projects or showcase culinary talent during gastronomic seasons.
- Maintain engagement through recognition programs and team initiatives.
Technology: Simplifying Complexity
Solutions like Optii help hotels:
- Forecast demand to plan ahead while staying compliant with union agreements.
- Automate scheduling to reduce errors and prevent conflicts.
- Optimize operations during peak periods.
- Ensure transparency, strengthening trust between management, staff, and unions.
Technology doesn’t replace collaboration—it supports it by offering a real-time, impartial view of operations.
The Québec Advantage: From Chaos to Clarity
With proper planning, collaboration, and modern tools like Optii, hotels can:
- Control labor costs without compromising compliance.
- Maintain staff engagement year-round.
- Deliver an exceptional guest experience, no matter the season.
Optii helps hotels move from chaos to clarity—giving teams back their time, reducing stress, and building guest loyalty.
Ready to take control of seasonality and union complexities? Let’s chat and discuss how Optii can help you make your next peak season the smoothest ever.
