People and Culture: The Care Package for Employees at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis

As an employee of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, staff members based in Minneapolis are part of a legacy brand, which includes more than 125 properties and 50 residential properties in in close to 50 countries. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has built this brand based on a simple principle: The Golden Rule. While this philosophy is foundational to the guest experience, it’s also reflected in how the brand cares for its employees in a wide range of ways.

From health care to travel perks to daily meals, Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis offers a range of advantages for both full and part-time employees. John Burdette, People and Culture Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis, explains that the benefits are as much about showing appreciation as they are about ensuring the team is cared for. “This starts with a fundamental question: how are we supporting employees in ways that make them feel valued? Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis takes that piece seriously.”

Travel Benefits

Because Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis is part of a global hotel brand, employees enjoy free stays at any Four Seasons property around the world, from Chicago to Paris to Bangkok to Buenos Aires. Full-time employees earn three complimentary nights at their six-month anniversary and five complimentary nights at their one year, while part-time employees earn five nights free at their one-year anniversary. This benefit for both full-time and part-time employees increases with tenure.

“We want you to go enjoy the property and experience what we deliver to our guests, and by visiting other hotels, you’re seeing how they do things,” John says. “How are the doormen greeting you at the Philadelphia location? What’s Westlake Village [Los Angeles area] doing differently that we might be able to use at our property? It’s creating community among Four Seasons hotels, and it also works to make a difference.”

Medical Coverage

John says the benefit generating the biggest reaction in interviews and onboarding is healthcare coverage. “Our employees don’t pay a single cent for basic medical care,” he says. “It’s completely covered by the company.” While add-ons such as dependents, additional categories of coverage and other extras come with additional tiered costs, the basic one-person plan is free of charge to team members. “It’s a perk that’s unheard of, at least in my career,” he says. Vision coverage is included within the basic plan, while dental insurance is available starting at USD 4 a month for the basic plan.

Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis also extends medical coverage to four-legged friends. Company pet insurance covers basic check-ups, with a similarly tiered approach to additional levels of coverage, and pet insurance also comes with an additional benefit. “With medical insurance, employees have a 30-day window to enroll, and it kicks in at 30 days,” John says. “But pet insurance is available to our team members on day one.”

Hospitality as a Career

Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis also cares for team members by helping to plan for the future, whether that’s during their career, or after they’ve retired. All employees — full time, part time and on call — are eligible to enroll in the company’s 401k program. Participants can contribute up to 50 percent of their paycheck, and after one year of employment, Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis will match up to four percent.

The company also ensures that employees are able to thrive in their roles — and strive for more. “Eduardo Enríquez is our Learning and Development Manager, and his sole responsibility is to ensure everyone receives not just company training, but additional learning and coaching opportunities that could further their career,” John says. Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis will cover part or most of the cost of outside courses that will help employees learn, grow and advance their careers. University classes, culinary school programs, sommelier certification or licensing are just a few continuing education programs that Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis will help fund for employees who have been with the company for more than a year — as long as the schooling applies to a current role or one they’re transitioning into.

If a more formal program doesn’t work, Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis allows employees to learn within the Hotel through an internal cross-training program, in which they can try out different roles and departments to learn about all available opportunities. “Employees get a more well-rounded view of our programs and get a taste of a new job,” John says, adding that team members are available to transfer departments and roles within the Hotel after six months in their current job.

Mental Health Care

This year, the People and Culture team launched a new initiative, giving all employees a free subscription to Headspace, a popular meditation and mindfulness app. “Four Seasons has been very transparent about the growing need for mental health support,” says John. “Everyone gets a free four-month trial, and we’re observing how it’s received, the level of interest and if there are more efforts we need to do in line with mental health support.”

As Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis continues to establish itself as the premier destination in the Twin Cities — and as a shining star aligned with Minnesota’s state motto, The Star of the North — the People and Culture team will continue to grow and evolve employee offerings. “It’s an ongoing quest or journey to better our benefits and perks package,” John says. “It’s one of the things I’m especially proud of.”

Complimentary Meals

Not only does the culinary team at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis craft gourmet cuisine for guests, but each day chefs also create a wide-ranging buffet that’s served in the employee dining room. The spread includes a salad bar, a deli, and hot meals catering to an inclusive range of diets. “Of course, employees can save money on groceries, but they can also get a chance to eat with fellow employees and managers, often people that they wouldn’t normally cross paths with in the Hotel,” John says. “It’s a financial perk, and it’s great for fostering community in the Hotel.”

Uniforms and Uniform Care

In addition to large employee benefit initiatives, sometimes it’s the little things that count. Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis launders all employee uniforms in-house, taking on a pesky daily task for team members. “When employees arrive, their uniform is laundered, pressed and ready to go, then they drop it back off after their shift,” John says. “It’s part of the holistic approach to taking care of our employees.” He adds that the laundry policy not only takes an item off of the to-do list, but has an added impact as well. “It ensures that all of our employees look and feel their best in their role. It’s a uniform approach — pun intended.”