Pulse November / December 2022 | Page 16

MEMBER PERSPECTIVES

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
The program soft-launched in October with what Krohn calls a “ food and fitness component ” that includes healthier cafeteria options for employees and AM / PM stretching classes . The spa also offers its employees access to the resort ’ s fitness facilities and a 24 / 7 hotline for mental health . “ If somebody is in crisis , or needs someone to talk to , or wants to speak confidentially ,” says Krohn , “ they can use that hotline .” With such a large staff , La Cantera has seen a few employees leave over the past two years due to mental health concerns . Accordingly , Krohn is making mental health central to the associate wellness program , not only because it ’ s good for employee retention , but also because it ’ s simply the right thing to do .
Additional components of the associate wellness program will roll out in 2023 , but Krohn hopes to include community-centered charity and financial wellness components as well . Other potential inclusions are ten-minute morning meditations for spa staff before their shifts start ; a series of wellness lectures by guest speakers ; and an expansion of the spa ’ s current schedule of social events , which currently feature quarterly after-hours potluck gatherings where team members can share a meal together and use the spa ’ s facilities to “ kick back , steam , sauna , soak and swim .”
To Krohn , how these self-care benefits are marketed to current employees is the difference-maker .
La Cantera is launching a robust new associate wellness program for its entire resort staff of more than 600 employees .
“ Everybody ’ s always really excited when you say that you ’ re going to offer this perk ,” states Krohn , “ but how many people show up is really what determines the success of that . And that comes with marketing .” La Cantera intends to share all the details of its associate wellness program via posters and the daily lineup document sent out to resort staff . Marketing La Cantera ’ s self-care benefits — both current and planned — to potential employees has also paid off as a recruiting tactic , says Krohn .
That ’ s because “ the mental wellbeing issue is there , it ’ s big , and we need to talk about it more ,” Krohn says . Whether your spa is struggling to find new employees or retain current ones , offering benefits that improve an employee ’ s wellbeing might be the ticket to building bigger — and happier — teams . n

“ Everybody ’ s always really excited when you say that you ’ re going to offer this perk , but how many people show up is really what determines the success of that . And that comes with marketing .”

— LAURA KROHN , Director of Wellness , Recreation & Retail , La Cantera Resort & Spa
FEATURED SOURCES
KATLYN HATCHER Director of Spa and Wellness NEMACOLIN
KELSEY BAATZ Assistant Director of Spa SEA ISLAND RESORT
LAURA KROHN Director of Wellness , Recreation & Retail
LA CANTERA RESORT & SPA
14 PULSE n NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022