Staff struggling with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its after-effects continue to be supported by Accor’s ‘Heartist’ humanitarian grant, which has ticked over to AUD$2.3 million in grants, the company says.
The ‘Heartist’ grants stem from a 25% allocation taken out of the company’s planned EUR€280 million shareholder dividend earlier this year, which was instead redirected to a range of internal initiatives designed to assist furloughed workers during the pandemic’s economic slowdown.
Globally, Accor’s ‘Heartist’ fund has assisted more than 14,000 employees, with 1,300 of these coming from the Pacific region.
Eligible employees have been able to claim a benefit through one of three categories – financial hardship and medical expenses without government health cover, partners suffering similar circumstances and grants to frontline professionals and first responders.
Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Simon McGrath, said taking care of others was at the heart of what Accor was all about.
“We could not do this without the incredible people we have in our business,” McGrath said.
“Once we recognised the devastating impacts of COVID-19, we mobilised quickly and have acted in a meaningful way to support our valued people and partners. The ALL Heartist Fund is a long-term project and will continue to support those in need into 2021.”