It's another preview weekend, and that's always great however, not having the system up and ready for instructors to submit their teaching schedules for approval at this time is really unforgivable. This is not the first season where we have not been able to submit our schedules before the resort is open and it makes scheduling our winter lives far more difficult than needs be.
I'm sorry it has taken us this long to get the schedule submission tool ready to go, but with the new DayForce system we were exploring other options than what we have always done. I assume you saw my email that I sent out to all returning instructors on Dec. 2 at 12:09pm letting you know that the schedule submission tool is ready. Since my email yesterday we've had 98 schedule submissions come in so far - hopefully you were one of them. Thanks for your patience in allowing us the time to get this ready for you.
Yours in snowsports,
Tyler
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Tyler Barnes
Learning Center Operations & Training Manager
Direct Line: (503) 337-2222 ext.1276
tyler.barnes@skihood.com
Whatever is happening with dayforce lately is making it worse. When the system was first launched, it worked beautifully. I could clock in and out from the break room where we meet. I used to be able to sometimes clock in on my phone and clock out on the time clock but not anymore as it thinks I never even clocked in (And vice versa). The photo on the time clock is very uncomfortable, which is why I prefer using my phone as it doesn't take a photo.
The atmosphere still felt toxic the last month. I'm unable to get the proper training due to the hostility and unwillingness to answer basic questions without a condescending tone. It makes it extemely difficult to focus and retain information when I'm so discouraged from asking any questions anymore. This has improved a bit the last few days since I've been working with someone else. But overall department wide it just feels like there is a lot of hostility in the air.
I want to come out and discuss this in person but I fear for what may happen of I do. Not just with management but with everyone.
I do have a few positive things to say.
The management has been really helpful since I've first started at Meadows, and I do feel a very friendly vibe coming from that direction compared to my past employers.
The menu has definitely improved! The breakfast burrito tasted much better today compared to last seasons.
Thank you to all staff today for an awesome opening day! The snow was wonderful and it's been great to see the mountain family back together again.
We continue to refine Dayforce, sometimes that means we take a step back to go three forward. One of the system limitations (not within our control) is the clocks and your phone don't synch, so you will get an error when using one way to punch in and another way to punch out. You should be fine to always use the same way, please let HR know if that is not the case.
In terms of your toxic environment, I strongly encourage you to speak up. I know there are risks in doing so, but consider the risks to your well being and those around you if you DON'T speak up. There is an entire chain of leadership from your supervisors to manager, to director to VP, and including HR and our GM, Greg. You mention management has been helpful - please reach out so we can see about helping you. - Matt Troskey
I'm a bit apprehensive as I've never driven commercially for quite some time and have no experience in the snow. I was hoping to get a bit more training before the season started, but I guess that's not going to happen. I have never chained up a bus, nor have I gone through the fueling procedures, let alone driven in the snow. I was really hoping for a bit more training, but I guess there's no better training than throwing us into the fire. I just hope I perform to the standards of the company and that I don't let my team down with my performance. I want to uphold the high standards of customer service that's expected of us and I truly hope that I can be a great team player. I'm looking forward to the season!
Day one went great! Grooming did a great job. I think the weekely leadership meetings have been great and I really feel it helps get everyone on the same page. I am also extremely grateful that we had Thanksgiving off. It means a lot to me. I also want to thank Mel for the check ins, I feel very supported and feel I have been given the tools to be successful.
Really liking Greg's hands on approach and his support.
Our orientation went great. I want to give a few specific shoutouts to people for there talks/presenations last week.
Greg Pack-His talk with our team was great. I think that explaining his history of being in lifts and then moving up really made the team feel that he is the right person for the job. It was awesome.
Lenore-Her harassment presentation for our leadership team was fantastic. She presented real world views and expectations. Also, the interactive portions of the presentation were very applicable to our department and brought value to the training.
Anna-Great safety presentation! It is very helpful to explain the process to people and to tailor it to each specific department.
Heidi-Awesome Sustainabilty presentation. Our team is full of very passionate people when it comes to this topic and I am very grateful that we make time to talk about this right up front.
Troskey- Another great presentation that seemed like a lot of thought went into it. Keeping such a large group focused and interested can be a daunting task but the speaking style that Matt uses definately works.
The entire HR team-Uniforms went smoother than its ever gone, great job. Also, everything that led up to the orientaion. All the Dforce help and guidance has been a huge benefit to our team. Thank you!
Mel-All of the check-ins and feedback meetings. Also, letting us try new things and coming up with plans for success.
Mark Fellow and FB-Thank you for letting us use your spaces for our training. With such a large group we simply cannot use our space in LOPS and it is awesome that we are allowed to use their space.
Overall its been a great pre-season and I feel that we have been as set up for success as we can possibly be.
Thank you lift team for recognizing the efforts of your fellow team members. I know they spend a lot of time preparing for the presentations and it is great of you to mention them.
Greg Pack
I'm a new hire at Meadows but stoked on the upcoming season! The training has been informative, relevant, and fun. I've really enjoy the interactive aspects of fitting our co-workers with helmets, outerwear, and hardgoods as well as the pseudo-situational problem solving. I'm excited to put these skills to work, so let it snow! 🙂
I agree with you and stoked as well for a great season to come. Keep up the problem solving.
Greg Pack
I would love to set up a meeting to give my opinion about what has worked for the Chill program in the last 13 years! By implementing these tools we can eliminate the yearly chaos, make the program successful, and have more instructors engaged and stoked about the program!
Thanks
Thanks for the offer, we would love your feedback to help set the Chill program up for even more success this season. Can you shoot me an email so I can connect you with the right team member to give feedback to?
-Jeremy Riss
Jeremy.Riss@skihood.com
I would like to give all of you/us a pat on the back for managing the hustle of the past few weeks. For some it's been coordinating hundreds of people's hiring, on-boarding, orientation and training while some of us have been developing training and presenting multiple times a day. Great job with the company orientation, Heidi and Steve engaged everyone on Sustainability and I had a great time meeting with each department to talk about Safety and Risk Management. Still a few more to go but big thanks to Department leadership teams and Exec team for the support in coordinating so many moving parts and people. Ya'll are the best.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the ramp up of the season. It is a busy time but extremely exciting as well.
Greg Pack
Thank u to the transportation department Taylor C for helping set up the shuttle for WS workers. Just need snow 🤟
Taylor and the team have done a great job getting our shuttles going and adding new services. We appreciate you recognizing their efforts.
Greg Pack