The hotel group, Four Seasons has been named as one of FORTUNE magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in the U.S., it is the only Canadian company.Last summer, twelve people who had never been to a baseball game or seen the inside of a stadium suddenly saw their faces on the Jumbotron at a Texas Rangers game.

Their surprise had barely registered when they were overwhelmed by a standing ovation from the crowd.

The twelve are Maldivians, employees of Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa whose lives, and jobs, had been thrown into chaos by the tsunami of late 2004.

“The tsunami forced our resort to close, putting hundreds out of work at the moment when they needed income most as they started to rebuild their lives and communities. We couldn’t let that happen,” said Isadore Sharp, chairman and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

“Instead, we sent them to our other properties around the world - including properties in the United States, in Dallas, Palm Beach, Jackson Hole, Los Angeles, Maui and Washington. In true Four Seasons fashion, they have become a dynamic part of the teams at these hotels, embracing our guests with their caring service.”

Now, these employees and the others who work for the company in America have named Four Seasons one of FORTUNE magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For.

The accolade establishes Four Seasons once again in the Hall of Fame, a prestigious group of only 19 companies that have appeared for nine consecutive years on the list since it was introduced in 1998. Four Seasons is the only Canadian company to appear on the list.

This year, for the first time, Four Seasons is also being awarded the Great Place to Work(R) 2006 “Respect Award”, by the Great Place to Work Institute in San Francisco, compilers of the FORTUNE list.

The five companies receiving this award were selected for paying particular attention to a specific employee practice, program, or collection of programs which exemplify one of the dimensions of the Great Place to Work Model: credibility; respect; fairness; pride; and camaraderie.

Four Seasons was chosen for its comprehensive three-stage management orientation program, based on the tremendous feedback the Institute has received from the Four Seasons employee survey sample over the last nine years.

“We are so proud of our employees and the thoughtful manner in which they treat our guests, and each other, especially this past year,” said Nicholas Mutton, executive vice president, human resources, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

“Our employees inspire Four Seasons toward continuously perfecting the art of hospitality for our guests. We are honoured that they, and their colleagues, have distinguished us with this recognition and we thank them.”

FORTUNE magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For ranking is compiled by Robert Levering and Milton Moscowitz of the Great Place to Work Institute in San Francisco.

The results are based on a survey completed by tens of thousands of employees from companies in the United States.

Candidate companies are also asked to submit information about Human Resources policies and workplace culture, though the final scores are weighted most heavily on the responses from employees.

Dedicated to continuous innovation and the highest standards of hospitality, Four Seasons invented luxury for the modern traveller.

From elegant surroundings of the finest quality, to caring, highly personalised 24-hour service, Four Seasons embodies a true home away from home for those who know and appreciate the best.

The deeply instilled Four Seasons culture is personified in its employees - people who share a single focus and are inspired to offer great service.

Founded in 1960, Four Seasons has followed a targeted course of expansion, opening hotels in major city centers and desirable resort destinations around the world.

Currently with 68 hotels in 31 countries, and more than 20 properties under development, Four Seasons will continue to lead luxury hospitality with innovative enhancements, making business travel easier and leisure travel more rewarding.
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