MUMBAI: Rajeev Singhal joined Lemon Tree in 2007, one of the earliest people with disabilities (he is speech and hearing impaired) to be recruited by the hotel chain. He joined as an associate and is now a housekeeping executive. His employment has given Singhal confidence and helped him achieve personal goals like marriage. "None of this would have been possible without the special attention and training I got from my supervisors and Lemon Tree," he says.
Lemon Tree's progamme to include people with disabilities has strengthened and grown over the years. Currently, 13 per cent of group employees (525 people) are those with physical and intellectual disability and 7.5 per cent (310 people) are from socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.
One of the company's recent recruits is Seema Rawat, a housekeeping associate with speaking and hearing disability, who has been with the company for a year. "There are many people like me in Lemon Tree. I know my future lies here," she says.
In an industry where employee and customer satisfaction correlate closely, Lemon Tree believes its inclusive people strategies work. "We have focused on developing an energized team of employees and grown the leadership pipeline," says Patu Keswani, chairman & managing director, The Lemon Tree Hotel.
Rajesh Kumar, Vice President-Human Resources, is even more categorical. "Socio-economic background, gender, disability do not matter to us. We skill train all incumbent employees at par with our brand standards and enable them to grow and earn their living in a dignified way."
Lemon Tree initially inducted those with disabilities only in back-end roles like the kitchen and housekeeping, where direct guest interaction is minimal. Subsequently the program was extended to guest contact areas such as restaurants.
"In Delhi/NCR, at the coffee shop, we have now done four trials with Down Syndrome. Now that we have built sufficient learning and experience, we will hire such candidates across other hotels in the group and slowly ramp up to a national scale. Trials with candidates with Autism have started too and the learnings are being assimilated," says Kumar.
This kind of commitment requires substantial investments in training, but Aradhana Lal, vice president, sustainability initiatives, says the effort is worth it: "Our brand stands for more than just profit. Persons with disabilities must be provided the same opportunities as others to realize their full potential."
Vishal Rai, executive assistant manager, leads a team of executives, many of whom are differently abled. "It makes me a better person and a better manager," he says. As Lemon Tree grows its footprint across India, it has become more important to retain talent and skill employees with potential to handle challenging roles. "Today, speedy career progression is a way of life at Lemon Tree. It's a great time to be here," says Vikramjit Singh, president, Lemon Tree Hotels.
Tanveen Kaur joined as a management trainee and after 18 months of training was promoted to assistant manager – front office of a flagship property. "The company's focus on grooming me for greater responsibility makes me want to give my 200 per cent. For care is mutual, isn't it?" she says.
Zubbin Arora joined City Center, Gurugram in 2011 as management trainee, and became assistant hotel manager of the upscale property six years later. "I don't think I would have got such career growth so soon elsewhere," he says.
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