Chris enriches the team at Manor House Hotel Transcript.pdf
Chris came to Manor House Hotel with a lot of experience, both in hospitality and life. His previous role as a Pool Assistant provided him with the skills needed to thrive as a Spa Host. However, Chris’s journey was not without its challenges, particularly due to his physical disability. The key to his success at Manor House was the support and understanding shown by the hotel’s management, especially General Manager, Johnathon Cairns.
Johnathon Cairns immediately recognised Chris’ potential. From the very first meeting, it was clear that Chris brought a warm, welcoming personality that resonated with both staff and guests.
“Chris has bags of experience in life, not just in hospitality,” Johnathon noted. “He’s a real warm character to be around.”
Chris’ role as a Spa Host involves not only interacting with guests but also taking on additional responsibilities such as training in reception and administrative tasks. Recognising the physical demands of the role, Johnathon and his team made key adjustments to ensure Chris could perform his duties safely and comfortably. These reasonable adjustments were essential in creating a supportive work environment tailored to Chris’ needs.
DurhamEnable Engagement Officer, Charlotte Daglish, played a crucial role in facilitating these adjustments. “He needed reasonable adjustments to ensure his health and safety were prioritised,” Charlotte explained. “Johnathon was one hundred percent on board with that. The physical barrier should never stop anyone from being in employment, and that’s exactly what Johnathon created here.”
Johnathon emphasised the importance of finding the right role for Chris, saying, “We would’ve moved Heaven and Earth to get him a job within the business. Whether it was one job or another, if it wasn’t going to work for him, we were going to find something because you can’t train what he’s got. We’re just chuffed to have him, really.”
Chris’ success at Manor House Hotel is a testament to the impact of inclusive employment practices. By focusing on Chris’ strengths and making the necessary adjustments, Manor House Hotel not only provided Chris with meaningful employment but also enriched their team with his invaluable presence.
Manor House Hotel’s approach serves as a powerful example for other businesses. With the right support and mindset, physical disabilities do not have to be barriers to employment. Chris’ story is a reminder that inclusivity in the workplace benefits everyone, fostering a more diverse, compassionate, and effective team.
If you need additional support getting into employment, start your DurhamEnable journey today by completing our referral form.
