#37 Hard Rock Hotel Chicago
"Creating experiences that rock" is the credo of the Hard Rock Hotel, and for Gen Y employees at this instantly recognizable company, work seems to rock, too.
"When someone asks me to tell them who I work with," says General Manager John Price, "I tell them our employees are freaks, musicians, business people with MBAs, people who are finding themselves." At Hard Rock, the spirit of youth and energy is woven into the company's mission and brand.
"Some hotels have classic 'yes ma'am, no ma'am,' service," Price says. "It's polite, but our Gen Y employees engage guests on a whole other level. They bring a sense of energy, creativity, and interest, and of course they're tech savvy. Our front office teams are all comprised of Generation Y because of this. They connect with a Gen Y audience: our current and future guests."
While serving guests is the point at any hotel, the executives at Hard Rock strive to make their employees--and the community at large--a little more comfortable, too.
"I work in close relationship with my bosses, so I can go to them if I have an issue, suggestion, or idea," says Generation Y employee Kira Chevalier. "I've seen a lot of my ideas materialize. I like the open door policy and easy access to leaders. My managers listen to me."
At Hard Rock, turnover isn't seen as a bad thing. The company pushes and develops talent to follow their dreams, giving them whatever lessons they can along the way.
"Hard Rock has a healthy work/life balance," says E-commerce Manager Melissa Meulenberg; and sometimes, balance means thinking outside the box. "They're willing to create roles for people based on their skills," she says. "The whole experience of Hard Rock is authentic, inspiring, and really, truly unique."
Unique, indeed--for employees and guests alike. At the hotel, guests can upgrade their room for an additional fee. 50% of that fee is contributed to a charity of their choice. On Fridays, employees can pay five bucks to wear jeans. The five bucks goes to charity. Last year, they raised over $25,000.
Gen Y likes jeans, after all. Here, wearing a favorite pair is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to expressing oneself. Employees are encouraged to be their tattooed, pierced selves. "Everyone has their own way of rocking the uniform," Chevalier says. "Everyone has their own edge."
