In the comments to that entry, Jason Birchem, who works in management at the Renaissance, took exception. I'm going to reprint his comments below in full. Then I'm going to raise some questions, which Jason (in an email exchange last night) said he'll try to answer. Look in the comments section of this entry for our continued conversation.
Jason wrote:
I can tell you from first hand experience that your rational that wages are of subsistence level is quite wrong. While it is true that most entry level jobs only pay in the $8 - $12 dollar range, Marriott as a company also has great beneifts. These are a costly part of doing business and hiring people. When taking one of the entry level positions Marriott makes it clear that with a good work ethic, and a willingness to learn they can progress in their careers. Go to any Marriott hotel and you will find people like myself who started out parking cars at a hotel in high school, went to college and came back at much higher salaries. Tuition reimbursement really helps too - and Marriott provides that. I would suggest that before you start coloring Marriott with broad (and innacurrately) based terms you actually take the time to learn of what you speak because you are flat out wrong on this.I replied:
Jason -- I have talked to people on the Ritz-Carlton (Marriott) housekeeping staff about their pay and benefits. My understanding is that people cleaning rooms there, as of five years ago, earned in the $7 to $9 an hour range based on production competition within the workforce. This is consistent with the ODJFS survey data that I quoted in my 1/29 entry, showing the 2002-03 median (not starting) wage for maids and housekeeping cleaners in Cuyahoga County at $8.25 an hour. I'd be delighted to hear more about this subject from your experience.And Jason responded:
Bill - I am sure you are correct (and the numbers prove it) in stating that the median wage is $8.25. Here is what I know. Our entry level positions start at a minimum of $8 per hour. There is then a 90 day review (and correlating pay increase), a 180 day review, and then yearly reviews each year following. While the entry level pay ranges are lower - the opportunity to advance is extremely good. People that show a desire to take on more responsibility, cross train with other jobs will be moving up quite rapidly. One of the largest challenges in the Cleveland market is the education level (lack of) of a majority of the workforce. Reading, writing, communication skills, and general business accumen is sorely lacking in the general populace. Will organization help this - I do not think so. The individuals that work hard and *want* to get ahead will. I am on the management team and I feel our pay, benefits, and perks are very good. Medical, dental, vision, 401k, pto, sick time, great travel perks with free and significantly reduced rooms so that yes our employees can stay at our hotels anywhere in the world. My concern is that you had lumped Marriott in with the rest of the corporate world, in fact pointed them out specifically. I agree that many companies are lacking in their employee appreciation but Marriott is not one of them.See more by clicking "Comments" below.
Just another quick note on hotels. It is true that Marriott manages the hotels (Marriott Key Center, Renaissance, and Ritz-Carlton) but Marriott does not own the buildings. The Jacobs group owns the Marriott Key, Forest City owns the Ritz, and TCF Holdings owns the Renaissance. Marriott manages the hotels for a fee and the profit goes to the local owners.