Prioritizing Well-Being in a Fast-Paced World
In today’s fast-paced work environment, well-being has become more critical than ever. As life accelerates, the need to slow down is gaining momentum. In fact, Accor’s recent study, The New Quality of Time, reports that 73% of respondents want to slow down the pace of their lives1. The study goes on to show that society’s perception of time in general is evolving ౼ people are seeking moments to pause, engage in self-care and create balance, both in their personal lives and at work. No longer an afterthought, well-being is now a priority, particularly among younger professionals who expect employers to support their work-life balance. In fact, more than 80% of millennials2 say they seriously consider how a job will impact their overall well-being.
As a future-minded leader in the hospitality industry, embracing this shift is essential. At Accor, we recognize that fostering meaningful connections and promoting overall wellness is not just an expectation but a key driver in attracting, retaining and engaging top Talent.
Redefining Talent Attraction and Well-Being
At Accor, we recognize that attracting Talent ౼ particularly younger professionals ౼ has long been a challenge in our industry. To address this, we are committed to moving beyond the traditional “process-driven” approach and embracing innovation and self-fulfillment. A prime example of this commitment is our new Employee Value Proposition, which reimagines the way we attract Talent ౼ not only from within the hospitality sector but also from those seeking a meaningful career change.
While Accor has always prioritized a welcoming and supportive environment for our team members, or Heartists®, this focus is now embedded as a core pillar of our Group EVP strategy: “Enjoy & Feel Valued.” After all, we expect our teams to provide exceptional care for our guests every day ౼ it is only natural that we extend the same care to them. This pillar is dedicated to ensuring Heartists® feel supported at work, recognized for their contributions and able to genuinely enjoy their journey with us.
Bringing this vision to life, our locations around the world have launched creative initiatives to enhance Talent well-being. At Raffles Bali, Indonesia, Heartists® Futsal Club and fitness program, a dedicated health seminar and a wellness weekend. In Singapore, the Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford teams participated in Global Wellness Week, offering nutritious meals, fitness classes, health screenings and massages. Meanwhile, Pullman Singapore Orchard took a holistic approach by organizing community initiatives, establishing a Heartist® Recognition and Appreciation Week and upgrading the hotel team dining area ౼ all part of a broader commitment to comprehensive health and wellness. These efforts create a positive, supportive atmosphere that strengthens well-being and reinforces our belief that when our people thrive, so does our business.
Championing Well-being Through Sport and Movement
Promoting health and exercise among our Heartists® has always been an integral part of Accor’s DNA, evidenced by initiatives in our Head Offices around the world. In Latin America, we have a Well-Being Program called VivAH, implemented across our headquarters and hotels. This program focuses on three pillars: health, food, and physical activity. The health pillar includes a self-assessment tool and provides health improvement tips. For the food aspect, we celebrate a ‘Day of Fruit,’ where we offer weekly fruit to the teams. In terms of physical activity, we partner with a gym to subsidize monthly fees for our headquarters, and we organize a yearly soccer tournament for both hotels and headquarters—last year marking our 21st edition, with over 750 participants from seven countries (France, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina) and 97 participating hotels, including 23 male teams and 12 female teams.
Meanwhile, in the Paris Head Office, we provide Talent with gym access and a healthy food offering. All team members that wish to participate are also invited to take part in the Group’s biennial in-house cycling race, Le Rayon Bleu.
However, in 2024 our commitment reached new heights. As a Premium Partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we had a unique opportunity to further our vision of wellness. With the world’s eyes on Accor, we embraced the moment to showcase ourselves as a great place to work.
We tackled some of the hospitality industry’s key challenges by using sport as a catalyst for both physical and mental well-being. To support this, we launched initiatives such as our GET ACTIVE, HEARTISTS®! app, enabling 1,600 Heartists® across our European hotels and headquarters to challenge themselves individually or in teams on various sports activities. To kickstart each day, we produced videos featuring warm-up routines from athletes of the ALL Champions Family, motivating team members to engage in daily physical activity – 200 Heartists® even took part in live demonstrations led by these athletes. A noteworthy highlight was also the participation of 180 Heartists® in the ’Marathon Pour Tous’ and the 10km night event organized by Paris 2024. Through these efforts, we were recognized with the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games “Go For 30” award, celebrating Accor as one of the most active partners. Furthermore, we partnered with Make.org, a separate initiative focused on promoting physical activity at a national level in France.
Meanwhile, our teams in the UAE brought the competitive spirit to a local level with the launch of ALLympics, a vibrant competition that brought together 20 hotel teams with the Dubai Corporate Office to compete in basketball, volleyball and badminton – fostering friendly rivalry, strengthening team spirit and celebrating athleticism across the region.
While the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games was a once-in-a-lifetime event, its impact extends far beyond. The energy and enthusiasm it sparked has become a catalyst for long-term change, inspiring teams across the globe to develop new sports and wellness-focused initiatives that will continue to enhance employee well-being for years to come.
Looking at the Opportunities that Lie Ahead
Accor embraces a holistic approach to Talent well-being, recognizing that both mental and physical health are essential to a thriving workforce. While the Group has already taken significant steps to align with the Future of Work, we continue to adapt workplace strategies to meet shifting demands, ensuring that well-being remains a core pillar of the employee experience.
Ready to explore how trends like Talent well-being are transforming the hospitality industry?
Take a deep dive into ’The New Quality Of Time’ report
1. The New Quality of Time, 2024, Accor.
2. Millennials Want A Healthy Work-Life Balance. Here’s What Bosses Can Do., 2020, Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellevate/2020/07/23/millennials-want-a-healthy-work-life-balance-heres-what-bosses-can-do/
About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group
Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries, with over 5,600 properties, 10,000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.