Effective HR planning is the cornerstone of a thriving hotel. Mapping out your HR calendar for 2026 ensures a productive, engaged, and motivated workforce throughout the year.
Here is a guide to help you create a strong HR calendar for 2026.
A well-organised HR calendar helps streamline operations and fosters better communication across teams. It ensures that important dates, initiatives, and deadlines are not overlooked whilst enabling proactive workforce management.
Planning early gives your team sufficient time to prepare for engagement activities and important events.
When planning your HR calendar for your hotel, consider including these categories:
Identify public holidays early and encourage your team to plan their time off in advance. Sharing your holiday policies digitally helps everyone understand how the year will unfold and prevents surprises or disappointments.
Digital leave management systems can streamline requests and approvals, giving managers better visibility and control.
Schedule payroll dates throughout the year and communicate them to your team. This also helps with forecasting payroll spend against projected revenue in each period.
Plan quarterly or biannual performance reviews. Set up reminders and track goals to ensure consistent follow-through.
Schedule team-building activities, wellness programmes, and training sessions. Align these with your organisation's objectives and feedback from your team.
Some examples may include:
Gratitude Wall: Set up a board where team members can post what makes them happy or what they're grateful for.
Steps Challenge: Organise a step-count competition for the week leading up to this day, with small prizes for the most active participants.
Morning Yoga Session: Host a group yoga session.
Team-Building Activities: Host games that encourage collaboration, such as escape rooms or trivia competitions.
Appreciation Day: Write thank-you notes to team members recognising their efforts and impact.
Identify peak recruitment periods and align them with structured onboarding solution sessions to ensure new hires feel welcomed and equipped from day one.
Use feedback tools like surveys to understand what matters most to your team. Involving your workforce in the planning process ensures their needs and preferences are considered.
Your HR calendar is only as effective as the insights behind it. Regular feedback from your team can help you plan initiatives that genuinely resonate.
Ways to gather feedback:
Sample Survey Questions:
Sample Poll Questions:
Once your calendar is finalised, keep your team informed and engaged through regular updates about upcoming activities. Clear team communication ensures everyone stays aligned and excited about what's ahead.
Planning your HR calendar for 2026 is an opportunity to set your organisation up for success. By involving your team in the process and maintaining clear communication, you create a collaborative, transparent, and proactive HR strategy.
Ready to streamline your workforce management?