Resort making all staff redundant

Dozens of tourism workers at one of Barbados’ all-inclusive adults-only resort are said to be joining the breadline.

The Club Barbados Resort and Spa on Vauxhall Road in Sunset Crest, St James has reportedly informed employees in a statement this week that it was making their positions redundant as the hotel continues to buckle under the pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am very sorry to inform you that the company has decided to make all positions at The Club Barbados Resort and Spa redundant,” the statement titled “termination due to redundancy” stated.

“It has been difficult for the company. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures being implemented to combat it are continuing to have a significant and unprecedented negative impact on the global tourism industry, and sadly, The Club Barbados is no exception,” said the note signed by Human Resource Director Donna Harper-Nicholls.

The Club Barbados, which is a member of Elite Island Resorts Caribbean, said all employees were required to attend “an individual meeting” in order to receive severance payment and all related documentation.

“The Director of Human Resources will make a schedule and inform you of the time and date of your meeting,” the note said, while pointing out that COVID-19-related protocols would be in place.

“Severance payments will be made in two installations, on October 21 and November 21, 2020. All outstanding staff loans will be deducted in full from the first installment. Outstanding monies, arising from disciplinary matters, example the removal and destruction of guest property will also be deducted,” the notice added.

Operators of the St James property also pointed out that one of the conditions of severance payment would be that all employees return “all company property inclusive of uniforms, shoes, name badges, keys”.

“Failure to return the items will result in the delay of payment,” the hotel said.

When Barbados TODAY called the number listed for the St James property, an answering machine informed, “We are now closed”. While providing an email address for any queries, it promised that a response would be forthcoming “within seven days”.

Barbados TODAY also reached out to Elite Island Resorts by email and telephone, but up to press time did not receive a response to questions posed.

It is not immediately clear how many forward bookings the hotel had and how those would be dealt with. On its website, The Club Barbados has indicated that a reopening date is to be announced.

Elite Island Resorts also has properties in Antigua, the Grenadines, St Lucia and Panama.
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb