‘Green & Fortune Supports’ Launched to Assist Displaced Employees
Independent hospitality company Green & Fortune has launched a support scheme to offer guidance and help to ex-members of staff who have been displaced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the hospitality industry.
Green & Fortune Supports recognises the impact that redundancies and role changes may have had on its individuals in the hope that the scheme can offer some help to those hardest hit. The scheme will initially run until the end of January 2021 and will cover areas from personal development and job opportunities to more practical support such as family meals and financial grants.
The five key initiatives are:
Training
Monthly training sessions have been arranged and diarised and will include information on a range of employment subjects including interview skills, updating a CV, how to write effective cover letters, where to apply for jobs and advice on how to make your LinkedIn profile stand out.
Meals
The option of a weekly meal for the individual and their family members is available. Meals will be prepared by Green & Fortune chefs for the recipients to enjoy at home. This mirrors a commitment by the company to provide weekly meals to local residents through two charities.
Emergency Cash Fund
In recognition of the financial challenges that people might be facing, a key part of the scheme is a financial support package to help those most in need. Be it for struggles to buy school uniforms for their children, overdue utility bills or being unable to pay for transport to get to interviews etc. A short application process allows beneficiaries to apply for emergency funding.
Mentors
Each person who we’ve had to say goodbye to has been matched with a member of the team as a mentor. Mentors are from all parts of the business. The role of these mentors is to keep in touch with people, provide advice and guidance, including helping them to find a new position.
Re-employment
Green & Fortune has made a commitment that, when the time comes to recruit new members of the team again, the first port of call will be to past employees. Green & Fortune’s Chief Executive, John Nugent comments: “The business has gone through, and will continue to go up against, huge challenges that stem from the COVID-19 pandemic that has swept the globe. The hardest impact has been on our people. We pride ourselves on our ethos of people, product and personality, but unfortunately, we had to make some tough decisions and say goodbye to amazing people in order to protect the future of the business.
“We don’t however underestimate the impact this will have had on these great individuals, especially with so much uncertainty in the industry and the job market currently. I’m pleased to say that the team and I have responded by putting energy and resource into this new programme to help those most affected. It is something very close to our hearts and we hope it will bring some comfort.
“Personally I have huge optimism in the future of Green & Fortune and our industry. We work with incredible partners, clients and organisations and we are all looking forward to next year and getting back to doing what we do best, delivering great hospitality.”
The launch of Green & Fortune Supports testament to the company’s focus on people, giving something back to the community and supporting wider industry initiatives. At the beginning of lockdown 100 meals were made and delivered to two local charities on a weekly basis. We have decided to continue this initiative for the foreseeable future. Green & Fortune has a strong history of supporting many charitable initiatives as well as working with numerous local organisations.
Background
Prior to the pandemic Green & Fortune was set for a record-breaking year and took over operations at a third site on 1st March, Central Hall Westminster. This coming after a successful 2019 when it was recognised for the first time in the AlixPartners/EP Food Service Growth Report. Last year also saw the company win Boutique Caterer of the Year at the Foodservice Catey Awards and Chef Director, Jason Wild being named Chef of the Year.
Green & Fortune is an award-winning independent hospitality business with expertise in providing a mix of both retail and events catering, venue sales and venue management.