ABHTA Hosts People & Culture Retreat – Shaping the Future of Tourism Workplaces!

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On June 25, 2025, the Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) proudly hosted its inaugural People and Culture Retreat, bringing together HR professionals, People Managers, and industry stakeholders for a dynamic day of education, empowerment, and strategic insight.

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MORNING SESSION

Morning Session focused on Navigating the Collective Agreement and Labour Code, Moderated by Celia Roberts Morgan.

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The morning panel featured:

• Chester Hughes, Deputy General Secretary, Antigua Barbuda Workers Union

• Lisa John Weste, Attorney-at-Law, Thomas, John & Weste

• Hollis Francis, Attorney-at-Law, HEF Law

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The panelist explored current Collective Agreement negotiations and how HR teams can navigate key issues like:

– Public holiday entitlements

– Meal allowances

– Staff probation & disciplinary policies

– Standardizing employee handbooks (launching Q4 2025)

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Participants also addressed operational challenges facing People Managers today, including probationary periods, harassment, marijuana usage, absenteeism, and the ongoing need for staff training.

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Mr. Chester Hughes urged HR professionals to become deeply familiar with both the Collective Agreement and the Labour Code, noting that this knowledge is crucial to maintaining compliant, effective, and employee-centered operations.

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AFTERNOON SESSION

Afternoon Session focused on Mental Wellness and Wellness as a Business Strategy, moderated by Laurie Louard,

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The afternoon session featured presentations from:

• Dr. Teri-Ann Joseph, Deputy Chief Medical Officer

• Isha Joseph-Moore, Executive Head of People & Culture, Jumby Bay Island

• Chester Hughes, ABWU

• Harriet Warner, Counselor

• Jamion Knight, International Psychotherapist and former United Nations Official

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Tackling Absenteeism: A Sector-Wide Wake-Up Call

The afternoon retreat began with a compelling look at absenteeism, led by Isha Joseph-Moore (Executive Head of People & Culture, Jumby Bay Island) and Chester Hughes (Deputy General Secretary, ABWU), who shared sobering statistics that revealed the scale of the issue:

Based on a sample of just 7 ABHTA member properties:

• Sample size: 892 employees

• Over 6,000 workdays lost

• Financial impact: EC $1.4 million

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They emphasized that absenteeism is not just a financial concern—but a workforce development issue. They called for a tripartite approach between Industry, Government, and the Education Sector to combat its root causes.

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Actionable Wellness Strategies

Harriet Warner shared tools employers can implement immediately:

– Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)

– Normalize mental health conversations

– Workplace social events that include family

– Flexible scheduling for parents

– 5–10 minute mental health breaks

– Wellness check-ins during team huddles

– New staff mentorship programs

– Workplace wellness & sports clubs

– Calm spaces for private conversation

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Medical Insights: The Cost of Mental Illness

Dr. Teri-Ann Joseph presented critical data on the global and local cost of untreated mental illness:

• 1 in 5 employees experience a mental health issue

• Many hide their diagnosis out of fear of discrimination

• Mental illness is understood poorly, heavily stigmatized, and deeply disabling

• Global cost of mental health issues:

o $2.5 trillion in 2017, projected to rise to $6 trillion by 2030 (WHO)

• Workplace stress and depression remain leading causes of lost productivity, increased sick leave, and early retirement

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Men’s Mental Health & Safe Spaces

Jamion Knight delivered a powerful call to action: support men’s mental health through Psychological First Aid frameworks and intentionally created safe spaces where vulnerability is met with respect, not judgment.

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From Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) to shift adjustments for working parents, speakers shared tools to help organizations build more supportive, engaged, and emotionally intelligent teams.

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The retreat was overwhelmingly well-received, with participants commending the honest dialogue and practical tools presented throughout the day. Attendees have called for similar events to be hosted more frequently.

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The ABHTA is pleased to announce that a follow-up People and Culture Retreat is being planned for October 2025, continuing its commitment to “Investing in People, Powering the Future.”

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