In today’s rapidly changing world of work, employees are increasingly seeking out employers who view them not just as workers, but as whole people, and provide a flexible work environment where they have the opportunity to achieve both their personal and professional dreams.
As part of its commitment to its award-winning workplace culture, Hilton offers team members the annual opportunity to take a Thrive Sabbatical. For the fifth year, team members at Hilton’s corporate offices and managed properties can apply for the opportunity to take time off to live a dream by pursuing a passion, give a dream by helping others, or develop skills to deliver even better stays for our guests. Ten selected team members receive one month of paid time off and $5,000 USD.
This year, Hilton also expanded the initiative to include the new Thrive Reset program. This new experience provides the opportunity to pause and recharge for all Hilton team members, including those at franchised properties. Ten selected team members will receive one week of paid time off and $2,000 USD.
“Our team members’ fierce dedication to making each and every stay exceptional is what makes Hilton great, and we want to continue to find ways to care for them in the same way that they care for our guests,” said Laura Fuentes, chief human resources officer, Hilton. “These two opportunities give our team members the time and space to rest and recharge, by pursuing a passion, taking care of themselves or others, or growing their skills to deliver even better stays.”
Team members were encouraged to nominate themselves for one of the Thrive programs by sharing how they would spend their time off and why taking a Thrive Sabbatical or Thrive Reset would be important to them in pursuing a passion, improving their skills, or recharging. More than 1,000 team members from around the globe applied and 20 winners were selected. The selection committee looked for compelling stories that demonstrate how the team member’s sabbatical request aligns with Hilton’s core values and has a clear vision and impact.
Over the year, team members will embark on adventures that will take them around the globe including:
Thrive Sabbatical
- Julianna Alleyne, kitchen staff, Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre, will take Cordon Bleu courses in London to further improve upon her cooking skills to bring to her team and guests.
- Beyza Sinem Caglar, senior destination marketing manager, Corporate, will support children in an earthquake ravaged town in Türkiye with art supplies and lessons.
- Kim Edison, room attendant, Hilton Saint John, will give back to her son’s school by organizing staff and student luncheons with guest speakers to address topics such as mental health.
- Sean Flynn, security officer, Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza, will take his passion for beekeeping and share a dream with his daughters by visiting select Hilton properties across Europe with rooftop beehives.
- Yang Jiao, purchasing manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Suzhou Wuzhong, will reunite with the woman who received a bone marrow transplant from him.
- Patrick Kirer, cluster revenue manager, RMCC Dubai, will travel back to his home in Kenya to help motivate local children to attend school.
- Hiroshi Manita, head chef, Conrad Tokyo, will take his family on a trip throughout Japan as a thank you for supporting him in his career.
- Gotlhe Moloise, front office manager, Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone, will visit France to immerse herself in the culture and master her French language skills to better communicate with guests.
- Aleysha Weber, assistant front office manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Austin, will use her sabbatical to travel to Hawaii to help cancer patients locally and provide them with care packages while they receive treatment.
- Yasmin Crespi Wiesemann, assistant director of sales, Hilton Frankfurt, will volunteer with the Sumba Foundation, a hospitality school for underprivileged youth in Indonesia
