World of Care builds on Hyatt’s more than 60 years of efforts to care for the planet, people and responsible business, and the launch of this platform provides an opportunity to support key milestones and initiatives for Hyatt—including:
Sharing—for the first time—detailed workforce diversity data
Rolling out a new global human trafficking training, one of the most comprehensive in the hospitality industry
Elevating well-being for global colleagues through a dedicated week of programming and new wellness assessment
“Hyatt’s purpose—to care for people so they can be their best—guides every aspect of our business,” said Mark Hoplamazian, president/CEO, Hyatt. “The events of the past year have underscored the urgency for the private sector to address societal issues with empathy, clarity and accountability. World of Care deepens Hyatt’s commitment to caring for our people, planet and communities.”
Caring for responsible business: elevating DE&I disclosures
Building on Hyatt’s Change Starts Here commitments announced in June 2020 to accelerate DE&I across its business, the company has released its 2020 diversity data, disclosing global gender and U.S. racial and ethnic workforce representation across levels. Recognizing the impact of transparency and accountability on DE&I progress, Hyatt will report its diversity data annually moving forward. In addition, the company has built on its existing practice of tying annual incentive planning to diversity, equity and inclusion progress and has linked executive stock compensation via its Performance Share Unit Plan to progress on the topic. The Performance Share Unit Plan is a key component of the executive team and group president’s compensation.
“At Hyatt, we know that we achieve our greatest success when all colleagues feel confident bringing their whole selves to work each day,” said Malaika Myers, chief HR officer, Hyatt. “These diverse backgrounds and points of view fuel innovation and connect us more closely to all who are in our care. We recognize there is much progress to be made—for our company, our industry and our global society. Sharing our diversity data publicly and tying executive compensation to progress will ensure DE&I is further prioritized and embedded throughout the company so that Hyatt can truly reflect the diverse communities it serves and contribute to a more just world.”
Caring for people: combating human trafficking, elevating wellbeing and committing to opportunity youth
As a leader in the effort to combat human trafficking—an issue of increased importance in the hospitality industry—Hyatt rolled out what it calls one of the most comprehensive human trafficking training in the industry this year, and ensured that it is mandatory for all global colleagues. The training empowers members at all levels and functions of Hyatt’s global workforce to be vigilant for signs of human trafficking and take swift action to report and abate it.
Aligned with its purpose of caring for people so they can be their best, the company emphasizes holistic well-being for its colleagues, guests, owners and communities. In June, Hyatt hosted its first-ever Global Wellbeing Week to inspire and advance wellbeing among global colleagues. Collaborating with wellness leaders Headspace, Well + Good and The Energy Project, the event provided engaging activities focused on emotional, mental and physical wellbeing to help colleagues understand and prioritize self-care. This month, Hyatt’s annual Global Month of Service provides volunteer opportunities for colleagues to rally and strengthen communities.
Finally, as a business uniquely positioned to provide meaningful career paths for people with diverse backgrounds and skill sets, Hyatt will continue to prioritize creating career pathways for opportunity youth through its RiseHY program, further building upon the millions of dollars already donated to continue supporting young adults to help them identify and reach their full potential.
Caring for the planet: working to advance environmental action
Under its 2020 environmental framework, Hyatt achieved its 25% per square meter greenhouse gas reduction goals early across its three regions, took a leadership position in sourcing seafood more responsibly by becoming the first global hotel brand to set sustainability goals with World Wildlife Fund, and initiated the transition to large format bathroom amenities.
Hyatt’s new environmental framework is focused on climate change and water conservation; waste and circularity; responsible sourcing; and thriving destinations. By focusing on these impact areas, the new framework is designed to foster collective action across departments; business vendors and suppliers; and beyond so that destinations around the world are vibrant for our guests, colleagues and communities.
As part of this framework, Hyatt is in the process of setting a 2030 science-based target to significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from its hotels. In order to build on past achievements and accelerate progress, the company is working with 3Degrees, a B Corp that helps organizations around the world achieve renewable energy and decarbonization goals. Additionally, Hyatt and its hotels are contributing toward the 12.3 target of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by working toward a 50% global reduction per square meter in food waste sent to landfill or incineration by 2030 compared to a 2019 baseline.
Hyatt’s Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Committee sets the strategy across the organization to advance World of Care. The Committee is comprised of senior executives and subject experts across ESG functional areas. In addition, the ESG Steering Committee is chaired by the EVP, general counsel and corporate secretary, and includes the CFO, chief HR officer, and the SVP of global operations with direct responsibility for the alignment of Hyatt’s principles across the company’s regional structure. The committee is overseen by Hoplamazian, as well as the board’s nominating and corporate governance committee.
Hyatt’s efforts to advance socially and environmentally conscious business practices will help ensure that current and future generations can live healthier and better lives, the company reports. Through World of Care, Hyatt’s activities are aligned with key aspects of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) in pursuit of a better and more sustainable future for all.
Tags: Hyatt Hotels Corporation Malaika Myers, Mark Hoplamazian, World of Care
