Comfort Suites & Quattro Conference Centre.

• Position: Company overview

Located in the heart of Sault Ste. Marie, the Comfort Suites & Quattro Conference Centre bears the name of a large chain, but it has more of a family-like atmosphere for its 124 employees.

Locally owned and operated by four Italian businessmen, at the hotel's core is the concept of hospitality and treating everyone who walks through the door like family.

"We have incredible leadership who have immense compassion for everyone who works here," said marketing manager Tricia Lesnick. "Life, children and family are all taken into consideration in all situations and accommodated wherever possible."

This facility has a fitness centre, indoor heated pool, hot tub and sauna.

The Greenhouse Spa offers clients massages, manicures, pedicures, and facials, while customers can satisfy their hunger at the onsite Quattro Restaurant and Chophouse.

A business centre services the needs of business travellers, and banquet and meeting space is available for larger events.

Physical workplace

Ergonomics are important in labour-intensive kitchen and laundry roles, and so managers walk through the building every month to ensure health and safety of workers are being met.

Workers are educated regularly on proper lifting techniques and the correct use of equipment. In housekeeping, lowaiters are used to help with lifting, and larger wheels were installed on room attendant carts for ease of pushing. New vacuum cleaners and machine floor washers have also been purchased.

"Sometimes things that make sense for your business also come with it some benefits for the staff, and our new general manager, Mike Braykovich, has really good insight into that kind of stuff," Lesnick said.

New equipment and an ergonomically designed layout were installed in the kitchen, and carpeting was replaced with flooring in the banquet area hallway to ensure smooth, seamless movement of kitchen carts.

Employee recognition

Workers are nominated by colleagues for monthly and annual recognition programs, through which they receive gifts from the company.

The rooms division is eligible to win monthly gift cards for good work, and front desk staff participate in a contest to win a trip to a sunny destination. The management team gets a bonus if their budget is met.

Community involvement

Through its Quattro Shares program, the staff cooks dinner for attendees of the local soup kitchen, complete with a magic show and treats for kids. The costs and time are absorbed by the hotel and its employees.

"We...