Advantage+ accommodation expansion

Published: 10.12.08

Omega’s range of cabins, bungalows, houses and apartments has expanded in keeping with the solid growth Omega has experienced over recent years. The holiday accommodation offers have caught the eye of both Omega employees and others, with people outside the company being known to describe Omega as “the company that offers all those cabins and holiday houses”.

Offering something more

Arne Gunnar Habbestad, head of Kvassatunet (the property arm of Omega responsible for, among other things, the expansion of Omega headquarters at Ølensvåg in Norway), has taken the reigns in expanding the accommodation range and admits Omega’s properties assist in fulfilling both recruitment and HSE goals.

“Our team deserves and expects a high-quality of service, but they are also looking for something more. There is no doubt that Advantage, and especially our accommodation offers, have been that something more over the past couple of years,” he explains.

“A cabin or two in the Norwegian mountains is expected, but throw in properties in Gran Canaria, southern France,Bulgaria, Thailand and Florida, and suddenly you have something unexpected and exciting to offer an employee.”

Striking the balance

The provision of accommodation at the cost of Advantage points only, increases the possibility for many team members to take a well-earned break in relaxing surroundings.

Omega’s accommodation collection currently consists of eight Norwegian properties, eight international properties and a boat (based in Ølensvåg, Norway). Seven of these properties were introduced to the Omega team in 2008 and have already proved popular.

One of Omega’s most popular destinations is already set for expansion, with an additional bungalow in Anfi Tauro on Gran Canaria secured from March 2009. This popular island destination has proved a hit with the Omega team, with many employees taking friends and family with them to enjoy the warm weather.

“Omega’s teambuilding trips concentrate on bringing our people together, making contacts and sharing in experiences. Our accommodation offers are about assisting our employees in making the most of their free time; it’s about striking a healthy work/life balance,” says Habbestad.

Aslaug Østrem Nesheim coordinates the Advantage programme and its many offers.

An offer for everyone

Service Centre coordinator, Aslaug Østrem Nesheim, acts as one of Omega’s first line of contact regarding the Advantage programme. Nesheim stresses that the diversity of the offers available is one of the most important aspects of the programme.

“We have employees based in many locations, who work all kinds of different hours and have diverse needs. It is therefore important that we do our best to have an offer to suit everyone. Over the past 12 months we have concentrated on having more properties to choose between, and have therefore expanded the collection dramatically to what is now 23 accommodation options,” says Nesheim.

A wide selection of properties brings with it challenges, as the popularity of the accommodation offers means that employees are not always able to book what they want when they want.

The key to distribution

“Our goal is that as many team members as possible will have the opportunity to enjoy our holiday accommodation, and we have made a booking calendar that we feel gives every employee a fair chance,” explains Nesheim.

The calendar is divided at the 6 month point; from 6–12 months an employee can only have one booking in the calendar, however from today until the 6-month point there is no limit to the number of bookings an employee can make.

“This system ensures that our accommodation offers are utilised as much as possible all year round, whilst also giving as many employees as possible the chance to book their holiday of choice,” says Nesheim.

“Omega is growing at a rapid rate and the Advantage programme must expand with it. We have achieved this and look forward to continuing to offer our employees a great range of Advantage offers.”