Inflation has impacted everything from gas prices to supermarket prices, and it affects all but the very wealthy. Wind Creek Bethlehem is taking steps, albeit small ones, to help its employees deal with inflation.
The key elements include a one-time cash stipend to all workers. The property will also introduce flexible schedules for certain positions that allow staffers to select a four or three-day work week, with longer hours each day, thus limiting the number of trips to the property, according to PennBets.
Wind Creek Hospitality, which operates the casino and other gaming properties of Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians, did not reveal how much of a stipend employees will receive.
“These added and unexpected costs are creating a great burden on our employees, and we want to take steps within our power to relieve some of the burden where we can,” Catherine Timmons, executive vice president of human resources for Wind Creek Hospitality, said in a press release.
Wind Creek, one of the largest properties in Pennsylvania, employs 1,498 out of the 5,434 total employees working throughout the Wind Creek system.
“If we can create schedules where employees only have to commute three to four days each week instead of the traditional five days, it amounts to a 20 percent or even 40 percent reduction in fuel costs and potential childcare costs,” said Jay Dorris, president and CEO of Wind Creek Hospitality. “Those are important dollars for the families of our team.”
Dorris went on to add, “Providing our guests an escape from their daily world is at our core. Building and unifying a team of employees who believe their employer is making life better for them ensures those team members see to it that our guests get that escape they need.”
Stephanie Bryan, chair of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, based in Atmore, Alabama, said, “Every member of our tribal council believes very strongly that they need to support our team at this time.”
