Jasper Employees Seeking Work & Staff Accommodation

The wildfires in Jasper have displaced many residents and caused significant job losses in the tourism and hospitality sectors. These people will be searching for work during the recovery; many are currently living temporarily at campgrounds or in hotels.

Anderson Vacations is supporting affected employees by compiling a list of employment opportunities *that include staff accommodations* across BC and Alberta to help these displaced workers find new homes. Pet-friendly accommodations are in dire need.

If you are currently hiring for immediate (or soon) start AND have staff accommodations available, share your opportunity in this form: https://forms.gle/sq4AAGSmNRhd53zj8

If you know of places that have staff accommodation available, please share the form with them. Any information or connections you can share to help those find their next home and job would be invaluable.

This list of information will be shared on the Jasper Evacuees Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/499022265946978

The individuals will be directed to apply on their own to these listings through the contact information provided.

Please feel free to forward this email to your colleagues and peers who may have contacts within the industry to call upon. 

Note: This information has been shared with go2HR and TIABC.

Register Now - Return to Work Webinar: Employment Law & COVID-19

Return to Work Webinar: Employment Law & COVID-19 

Wednesday May 13th, 2020 - 10:00 a.m.

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) invite you to join us for a Return to Work Webinar focusing on Employment Law and COVID-19 as part of our ongoing industry support in response to the COVID-19 pandemic through the Tourism Resiliency Network Program.

This Webinar will be featuring a team of lawyers from the law firm Fasken, who will provide information and advice on how to respond to changes employers are facing and how to properly prepare for the 'new normal' in the post-pandemic landscape.

Topics to be covered will include:

• Temporary layoffs and recalling of employees

• Temporary reduction in employee compensation

• How to respond if an employee tests positive for COVID-19

• Ensuring compliance with workplace health and safety obligations

• Current impacts of COVID-19 on immigration applications and work permits

To register for the Return to Work Webinar on Wednesday May 13th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. go to: Webinar Registration

Big White’s $10-Million Staff Housing Project Huge Draw For Potential Employees

Source: Big White Ski Resort

Year after year, the epic snow conditions, ski-in, ski-out convenience and the Village lifestyle attract potential employees to Big White – and now, there’s another draw: brand-new, fully furnished staff accommodation in Black Forest.

Construction on the over $10-million project began in summer 2017, with the first of the four buildings completed in time for staff to move in for the 2018/2019 season.

“For us to now be able to highlight attractive, new and well-appointed accommodations puts us in a very competitive hiring position vis a vis other resorts in BC,” says Bill Slaney, Human Resources & Employee Experience Advisor at Big White Ski Resort. “This plays an important role in attracting staff, as the first question staff generally ask is whether staff accommodation is available.”

The four new buildings at Black Forest can accommodate 192 staff members – and include a fitness centre, with aerobics and weights rooms, available for all staff to access.

Each building contains five four-bedroom units, with a common area and kitchen, as well as four studios with washrooms and cooking facilities. “The units are fully equipped, and have been furnished with quality and durability in mind from a highly regarded home furnishings dealer – Marshalls,” Slaney says.

Tayler Penford works at the Big White Ski & Board School as an attendant at the Tot Town and Kid Centre, and moved into one of the new studio suites with her partner two months ago. “The new rooms are gorgeous, and we even have our own brand new Smart TV, and a dishwasher! I’ve been way too excited about the dishwasher,” Tayler says.

She adds that the buildings are just a five-minute walk to the gondola, and she can board right to her front door. Plus, because the buildings are accessed with a passcode entry, she doesn’t have to worry about losing her keys on the slopes!

“These apartments were clearly built with the lifestyle of the staff on the mountain in mind, and it shows in the details,” Tayler says.

Prior to the addition of the staff housing, 98 per cent of accommodation on the mountain was owned by private citizens, with only about 2 per cent owned by Big White Ski Resort Ltd. The new accommodation will combat the shortage of long-term rentals available from private owners, as many have transitioned to renting their property on a night-to-night basis.

This new accommodation is the beginning of a new subdivision in the Black Forest area – giving guests and residents easy ski-in, ski-out access to the Black Forest Express Quad and Lara’s Gondola in Happy Valley.