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Motivating non-paid staff

General Hostel Operations

rjd1983 started this discussion 13 years 1 week ago

With non-paid staff (work-for-accommodation) being difficult to motivate, how do you like to motivate them? Do you give them commissions on things they sell? Employee-of-the-week bonus? Free dinners?

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DarrenOverby

13 years

This probably only works for small hostels, but I think the key is creating a culture of "service to travelers" and finding volunteers in which compensation is not their immediate goal. Look for people who truly to want to be of service to their fellow travelers and you can create a rich travelers community where individual compensation is not on the forefront of peoples minds. I personally don't like the term work-exchange since it implies a closed dyad relationship, where two people are looking for their individual payback. Instead I prefer to foster a community where everyone wants to contribute in some way.

Although some have questioned whether Gandhi actually said this, I still hold it to be true (hopefully this is not too far "out there":

"Service can have no fine meaning unless
one takes pleasure in it.
When it is done for show, or fear of public opinion,
it stunts the man/woman and
crushes his/her spirit."

"Service rendered without joy
helps neither the servant nor the served.
But all other pleasures pale into nothingness,
before service which is rendered
in a spirit of joy ..." - Gandhi

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Rucksack Brian

13 years

It’s important that they feel some sense of ownership in the hostel so that they will take pride in it. They’re likely to work harder if they feel like it’s “their place” without necessarily expecting more money. Of course, that’s easier said than done.

One way is to get them involved in making decisions. Ask them for their advice on how to simplify daily tasks or how to change a procedure in order to make life easier on everyone. (For example, many hostels are totally unprepared to handle large group arrivals, even if they do it over and over – maybe your team could suggest ways to streamline the process?)

Maybe you could get them involved in choosing small decorations to add to a room or planning a theme party, and then let them guide the project. (If they’re not the creative type, then make some suggestions of your own and ask them to pick the one they like the best)

You might also take them with you to visit the hostels in your feeder cities. They may feel more ownership of the place if they see themselves as official representatives of the hostel, especially when they start referring to “my/our hostel” in the course of casual conversation.

When it comes to other types of motivation, everyone seems to be driven by different things. Some like to be selected as the Employee of the Month because it makes them proud of themselves, and others feel embarrassed if you make a big deal about them in public. Some people prefer creature comforts. If you have dorm-style staff accommodation, maybe you could offer a weekend in a private room so they can stretch out and relax without the constant company. Free meals or free drinks are always appreciated as bonuses. If you don’t already know what motivates each member of your staff, ask them! They may not tell you what motivates them personally, but if you ask each one of them what they think would motivate their colleagues you may get a lot of good insight and ideas for reaching everyone.

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