Human resource
“Together, the staff of Blue Lagoon forms a powerful team that has a common promise – to create unforgettable memories, both for each other and for the guests of Blue Lagoon.”
Few workplaces in Iceland offer as wide a range of jobs as Blue Lagoon. The diversity can be traced from the fact that Blue Lagoon has extensive activities in different areas that are interconnected with each other.
Blue Lagoon’s staff is the company’s most valuable resource. Our employees are the basis for our visitors’ unique experience and their contribution ensures the company’s continued success. The Blue Lagoon’s staff comes from 40 nations and it is highly valuable for the company to have such multiculturalism, as it receives tourists from all over the world with different expectations and requirements.
All employees of the company consider themselves unforgettable hosts and strive to provide all of our guests an excellent service.
Employees – 2019
Community = Reykjanesið: Grindavík, Reykjanesbær, Suðurnesjabær, Vogar
Society = All others who live elsewhere than in Reykjanes
Employee turnover | |
---|---|
Women | 15.1% |
Men | 10.4% |
Foreigners | 10% |
Icelanders | 15.6% |
Local community* | 10.3% |
Age < 30 | 14.9% |
Age 30-50 | 9.4% |
Age > 50 | 1.3% |
* Reykjanes: Grindavík, Reykjanesbær, Suðurnesjabær and Vogar
Maternity and paternity leave | Back to work | |
---|---|---|
Women | 40 | 73% |
Men | 19 | 100% |
The Blue Lagoon employees enjoy several benefits that support their health and well-being, such as gym memberships, accommodations in hotels, and gift cards to travel abroad. Employees also receive generous discounts on a variety of products, services, and entertainment both at Blue Lagoon and affiliates.
One of the Blue Lagoon values is “We Bring Joy,” and the human resources department and the company’s staff association certainly do that with fun events, family entertainment, legendary anniversaries, and team building within departments.
Blue Lagoon values
The Blue Lagoon values are embedded in the company’s culture. The values apply to both the Blue Lagoon staff and its guests.
WE CARE
The well-being and safety of our guests is paramount to our business and we strive to create a safe and healthy workplace.
WE BRING JOY
We create joy and maximize the experience, both for our guests and for each other. We have fun together at work and outside of it.
WE RESPECT
We respect the environment and unique nature around the Blue Lagoon. We respect each other and the cultural background of our guests and employees.
WE CREATE MEMORIES
Every day, we create memories that our guests from all over the world take back home. Together we create unforgettable memories.
Education and training
Staff training and education is a key factor in the success of the Blue Lagoon. A clear training plan gives all employees an equal opportunity to improve their skills and increase their knowledge at work.
In 2019, we founded the Blue Lagoon Academy, which covers all the education the Blue Lagoon provides to its staff. Several courses are offered, and the Academy’s purpose is to strengthen the staff both professionally and personally. The values of Blue Lagoon are “We Care,” “We Respect”, ”We Bring Joy,” and “We Create Memories.” Our values are the cornerstone of the Blue Lagoon’s culture and reflect all the education that the Academy offers.
Blue Lagoon Academy seeks a strong source of knowledge from its employees in both creating and teaching courses, and also seeks knowledge outside Blue Lagoon—when necessary— and then adapts that knowledge to the company’s needs. At the Blue Lagoon Academy, emphasis is given on training staff from the very first day. Among the topics covered are on-boarding, Blue Lagoon products and services, health and safety, cultural awareness, creating unforgettable memories with guests, sales training, and providing a professional and excellent service. Leaders and managers are also supported through coaching and counseling.
Blue Lagoon places great emphasis on career development within the company and is constantly looking for new ways to achieve even better results in strengthening the knowledge and skills of its employees, thus building an even stronger team. In 2019, 60 employees were promoted within Blue Lagoon, both developing across the company and in career development where employees were given increased responsibility in their work.
In 2019, a new electronic education system, Eloomi, was introduced into the Blue Lagoon Academy. The system has paved the way for further education and training of staff by offering courses that are both mandatory and optional for staff. With this system, it is possible to reach new staff earlier in terms of on-boarding, providing an introduction to the company and sharing other important information. An electronic education system also allows us to strengthen current education and further increase the supply and access to education.
In parallel with the Blue Lagoon Academy, the staff is encouraged to seek further education outside Blue Lagoon to continuously strengthen their skills for work and personal development.
In 2019, we founded the Blue Lagoon Academy. The Blue Lagoon Academy covers all the education that Blue Lagoon provides to its staff. Several courses are offered, and the Academy’s purpose is to strengthen the staff both professionally and personally. The values of Blue Lagoon are we care, we respect, and we bring joy, and we promise to create memories. Our values are the cornerstone of the Blue Lagoon’s culture and reflect all the education that the Academy offers.
Blue Lagoon Academy seeks a strong source of knowledge from its employees in both creating and teaching courses, but also when necessary, it seeks knowledge outside Blue Lagoon and then adapts that knowledge to the company’s needs. At the Blue Lagoon Academy, emphasis is given on training staff from the very first day. Among the topics covered are on-boarding, Blue Lagoon products and services, health and safety, cultural awareness, creating unforgettable memories with guests, sales training and providing a professional and excellent service. Leaders and managers are also supported through coaching and counseling.
Blue Lagoon places great emphasis on career development within the company and is constantly looking for new ways to achieve even better results in strengthening the knowledge and skills of its employees and thus building an even stronger team. In 2019, 60 employees were promoted within Blue Lagoon, both developing across the company and a career development where employees were given increased responsibility in their work.
In 2019, a new electronic education system, Eloomi, was introduced into the Blue Lagoon Academy. The system has paved the way for further education and training of staff, offering courses that are both compulsory and optional for staff. With this system, it is possible to reach new staff earlier in terms of on-boarding, introduction to the company and other important information. An electronic education system also allows us to strengthen current education and further increase the supply and access to education.
In parallel with the Blue Lagoon Academy, the staff is encouraged to seek further education outside Blue Lagoon to continuously strengthen their skills for work and personal development.
Blue Lagoon Academy | |||
---|---|---|---|
Total | Men | Women | |
Number of employees | 754 | 264 | 490 |
Hours of training | 2,829 | 1,301 | 1,528 |
Average number of lessons per employee | 3.8 | 4.9 | 2.7 |
Further education | |||
---|---|---|---|
Total | Men | Women | |
Number of employees | 82 | 13 | 69 |
Hours of training | 712 | 74 | 638 |
Average number of lessons per employee | 8.7 | 5.7 | 9.2 |
The right knowledge and proper training can save lives. First aid courses are therefore available for all employees of Blue Lagoon. We also provide detailed safety courses and swimming tests for those who work in security.
Workplace assessment
We recommend Blue Lagoon as a workplace
A workplace assessment was carried out at the beginning of 2019 to get the best possible view of how employees experience Blue Lagoon as a workplace. The factors that were measured included job satisfaction, work ethics, dedication, communication within the company, integration of work and family life, and workload. The result of the measurements was promising. Over 84% of employees are satisfied with their work at Blue Lagoon and over 87% of employees would recommend Blue Lagoon as a workplace. Overall, the staff considered the workload quite reasonable, which was important. The results of the survey will be used to do even better and address issues that emerged.
Health and safety
Physical and mental health are the foundation of well-being. Employees are offered good opportunities to exercise regularly and promote mental health. In addition, regular health check-ups and vaccinations are offered.
A good and healthy working environment is the basis of keeping employees happy, which also increases guests’ satisfaction.
All work areas are designed to ensure the safety and health of employees and the work environment is continuously being improved to increase comfort. The staff dining area is specially designed to create a comfortable and relaxing environment and provides a wide range of healthy food.
Within Blue Lagoon, there is a security guard station that supervises the entire premises of the company and ensures the safety of guests, staff, contractors, properties and buildings 24 hours a day, every day of the year. In addition, there are security guards who guard the lagoons.
The safety and well-being of our guests and staff are always at the forefront of all the company’s operations. Preventive measures are the basis for this, such as employee health measurements and vaccinations, regular water measurements in the lagoons, as well as design and organization of service areas and safety signs.
The entire experience and related work procedures are risk-assessed with regards to safety, health, and the environment, and the appropriate controls are implemented to minimize the risk of accidents. The controls are implemented in the design and organization of service areas, staff training, safety rules, and information to guests.
Recorded Accidents 2019 | |
---|---|
Number of affected employees | 26 |
Number of affected employees >4 consecutive days | 13 |
Number of sick days for accidents | 463 |
Number of full-time equivalents | 1.78 |
Percentage of working days | 0.2% |
The main cause of accidents in 2019 can be traced to the risk of falling due to slippery / wet surfaces. The company has analyzed the causes of these incidents, implemented controls, and started improvement projects to reduce this risk and prevent recurrences. Projects for 2020 include increasing the number of rubber mats, managing surface areas, drying areas, and improving on the information shared with guests.
The company has defined, documented, and practiced emergency response to major operational risks. The risk management hierarchy is used to manage and minimize operational risk levels as much as possible.
The company has defined, documented and practiced emergency response to major operational risks. The risk management hierarchy is used to manage and minimize operational risk levels as much as possible.
There are maintenance and technical systems in place to consistently record, respond, and follow up on incidents. Staff also have access to a medical practitioner and psychologist if needed.
Diversity and equality
Blue Lagoon works hard to ensure equality among employees and has established a gender equality plan with the aim of having employees assessed on their own merits, regardless of gender, race, or other criteria. Women as well as men have equal access to available jobs at the company and have equal opportunities for management positions.
Age diversity
Gender diversity
Blue Lagoon received the Equal Pay Certification, according to the equal pay standard ÍST 85, in 2018. It is very important for the company that there is consistency across divisions and departments when it comes to wages and wage decisions, and that women and men receive the same salary, benefits, and rights for the same or equivalent jobs.
Blue Lagoon underwent a maintenance audit of the equal pay system at the end of 2019 and passed it with distinction. The gender pay gap was measured below the margin of error or 1.47%. In 2019, the calculations were based on fewer covariates than in 2018 to provide a more reliable comparison of the gender pay gap within the company.
2018 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|
Gender pay gap | 0.76% | 1.47% |
Coefficient of determination | 95% | 94.2% |