sous chef

shift leader

housekeeper

attendant

second chef d'exploitation

Friday Harbour Resort

Being a housekeeping attendant- 
A typical day at work in the Friday Harbour involves a variety of tasks focused on maintaining the cleanliness and comfort of the resort's accommodations and facilities. Housekeepers start their day by receiving assignments, which usually include cleaning guest rooms, restaurants, washrooms, common areas, and sometimes outdoor spaces. The tasks involve making beds, cleaning public areas, vacuuming, dusting, restocking supplies, and ensuring that all areas are up to the resort's high standards of cleanliness and presentation. Team members work independently or in pairs, depending on the size of the tasks, and often interact with guests to provide any additional services they may need.

The learning I got working here provides valuable skills and experiences, including attention to detail, time management, and teamwork. Employees learn how to efficiently clean and organize spaces, prioritize tasks, and adhere to specific cleanliness standards. Additionally, they gain insights into customer service, learning how to interact with guests politely and professionally, which can enhance their communication skills and problem-solving abilities.

If I put some light on management at Friday Harbour plays a crucial role in creating a supportive and well-organized work environment. Supervisors and Managers ensure that staff receive proper training and support to meet their daily targets and quality standards. The management team is often approachable and encourages open communication, addressing any issues that may arise and fostering a sense of trust and teamwork. They also provide feedback and recognition, which helps motivate the housekeeping staff and improve job satisfaction.

The best thing I like working here is workplace culture which is generally positive and collaborative. Team members support each other, share tips and tricks for efficient cleaning, and often develop a sense of camaraderie. Friday Harbour emphasizes the importance of teamwork, respect, and mutual support among its employees, creating a friendly atmosphere where staff feel valued and respected. This supportive culture makes it easier for new employees to adapt and encourages long-term job satisfaction.

Sometimes the job is hard as it requires physical demands and time pressure. Cleaning numerous rooms and maintaining high standards of cleanliness can be physically exhausting, especially during peak seasons when occupancy is high. Housekeepers must manage their time effectively to complete their tasks within the allotted time while maintaining quality, which can be challenging. Additionally, dealing with difficult or dissatisfied guests can sometimes add stress to the role.

Along with hardest job, I can openly say that most enjoyable part of the job is the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after completing tasks and seeing the immediate results of their hard work. Many housekeepers find joy in knowing that they play a crucial role in enhancing guests' experiences by providing a clean and comfortable environment. Interacting with guests and receiving positive feedback or appreciation for their efforts can also be highly rewarding. Additionally, the camaraderie and friendships developed among the housekeeping team contribute to a positive and enjoyable work experience.

Working as a hostess at a popular Beach Club, my typical day would begin by ensuring the dining area was tidy and well-prepared for the upcoming lunch or dinner service. I'd greet guests with a friendly smile as they entered the restaurant, manage the waiting list, and seat guests at their designated tables. Throughout the shift, I'd coordinate with servers and the kitchen to ensure a smooth flow of seating and service.
What I Believe I Learned:
During my time as a hostess, I developed excellent communication and organizational skills. Clear communication with guests about wait times and seating options was crucial. I also learned to handle high-pressure situations when the restaurant was busy and the waiting list was long. I became adept at managing guest expectations and diffusing potentially challenging situations.

Management=
The management team at the restaurant was attentive and supportive. They provided training to ensure that all hostesses understood the seating arrangements, reservation system, and guest interaction protocols. Management encouraged us to maintain a welcoming atmosphere and to work closely with servers and the kitchen to ensure efficient table turnover.

The restaurant had a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and teamwork was highly valued. There was a sense of camaraderie among the staff, including servers, bartenders, and kitchen staff. We worked together to create a positive experience for guests. The culture emphasized the importance of excellent customer service and making guests feel valued from the moment they walked in.

The Hardest Part of the Job:
The most challenging aspect of being a hostess was managing guest expectations during peak hours. Balancing the desire to seat everyone promptly while also ensuring a comfortable pace for the kitchen and servers required effective communication skills and a level-headed approach. Dealing with frustrated guests during wait times could be stressful.

The most enjoyable part of working as a hostess was creating positive first impressions for guests. Greeting them with a warm smile, helping them find their seats, and witnessing their excitement for their dining experience was rewarding. Building rapport with repeat customers and making them feel like valued guests was a highlight.

A Typical Day at Work: A typical day involved a mix of tasks depending on the role. As a Landscaping Attendant, my days were spent maintaining the grounds, ensuring everything was aesthetically pleasing and functional. In Housekeeping, I focused on cleaning and organizing guest areas to meet the high standards of the resort. Each day was dynamic, with the workload varying based on guest occupancy and seasonal demands.

What I Believe I Learned: During my time at the resort, I learned the importance of attention to detail and the impact it has on guest satisfaction. I also honed my skills in teamwork and time management, which were essential for handling the diverse responsibilities and ensuring smooth operations. Additionally, I gained valuable insights into effective communication and the significance of maintaining high standards in a hospitality setting.

Management: The management team at Friday Harbour Resort was approachable and supportive. They provided clear direction and were open to feedback, which helped in addressing any challenges that arose. The managers were committed to ensuring a positive work environment and were proactive in offering support and resources to help employees succeed.

Workplace Culture: The workplace culture at Friday Harbour Resort was inclusive and team-oriented. There was a strong sense of camaraderie among employees, which contributed to a positive and collaborative environment. The resort fosters a culture of excellence and mutual respect, which was evident in the interactions among team members and between staff and guests.

The Most Enjoyable Part of the Job: The most enjoyable part of the job was the opportunity to work in a beautiful and dynamic environment. The sense of accomplishment from seeing the resort’s grounds well-maintained and the satisfaction of contributing to guests’ positive experiences were highly rewarding. The supportive team and the positive interactions with guests also made the job fulfilling and enjoyable.

Working in the Marina tends to be very all or nothing, weekdays normally have relatively few customers but the weekends are very busy. There are also a variety of tasks, from cleaning to helping customers with their boats, which creates opportunities to learn new information and skills. The Marina Department structure and management is simple and encouraging. Hard work, especially navigating difficult situations that arise, are recognized and rewarded as appropriate. Overall, I have enjoyed my summers working in the Marina,  especially as I live near by and its a very short commute to work. That being said, there are areas to be improved site wide.

Firstly, there is not enough parking or or public washrooms. If they plan to maintain the current number of customers, especially during peak periods, the amount of parking needs to be tripled and the washrooms doubled. This ties into larger issues at the top that seem to indicate a lack of effectiveness, communication, and sense of direction for the Resort. Do you want to create a neighborhood of homeowners on site and build a sense of community,  or do you want to focus on guests that visit for the weekend or a few days at a time through rentals and the hotel? Is the focus/main attraction the golf course, or the marina, or the shopping area? Is there adequate space for everyone (customers and employees) to exist and move, both at current numbers and with predicted growth? These questions and more need to be answered sooner then later as trying to do everything will result in mediocrity at best.

Once answers are found, it will help focus the Resort and will help improve the experience of both employees and customers alike.

As an International Student and as a Hospitality Professional what I look for in a company is it’s image as a whole and the value they give to their employees. And this is exactly what Friday Harbour has to offer and even more. I started as an F&B attendant at the Beach Club and from there I learned a lot of things and it allowed me to flourish as well, 3 months in and I was able to get the position of F&B supervisor, what stood out for me is the work culture that we were able to create as a whole. There was great collaboration and appreciation for everyone. There is growth within, and this is greatly acknowledged by the company. What you are able to give as a colleague and as part of the community will always be recognized and appreciated. This is the kind of working environment that you will experience working at Friday Harbour. 
One year in, and I have had the opportunity to be part of the Resort Services Department as an Assistant Guest Services Manager, which allowed me to develop my problem solving skills and have a better understanding of what an application excellent service is. This is truly an amazing outcome for my career, especially in this industry where change is constant, and what working at Friday Harbour  has taught me is that, you create the opportunities and you have the power of choice. The choice of moving forward and excelling with the company, achieving success and sharing it to the people that you work with.

Friday Harbour Resort has opened its arms to coop students last 2021. Being one of the first coop students to work here, I can say that I am honored. The company has given me an opportunity to seek development and gave me a chance to explore opportunities. I still remember my first day of work, I was clueless, but everyone was very welcoming and were willing to train me. For four months, I was able to learn the basics of accounting and how it works in a business perspective. Typical day at work includes dealing with invoices, cheques, and statements. There were rough times of course, during the peak season as the workload is twice the usual. But on the other hand, I enjoy these challenges as I take them as a learning opportunity. Looking back, that four months turned into almost two years now. From being a coop student, to now working full time and being promoted to different roles. From invoices and cheque runs, to now reporting Financials Statements - which is the most enjoyable part of the job! This will not be possible without the constant support of the people around me, especially my manager who is always open to each and everyone's personal growth. I cannot thank Friday Harbour enough for the person it transformed me today. It will always have a special place in my heart.



I had a deeply disappointing experience working at this company due to its toxic culture, which starts at the top and filters through every level of the organization. The CEO’s lack of vision and empathy created an atmosphere where employees felt undervalued and expendable. Instead of fostering growth and collaboration, leadership often relied on intimidation and arbitrary decision-making.

HR was equally problematic, often prioritizing personal biases over fair and objective handling of employee concerns. This led to an environment where genuine grievances were dismissed, and employees were left feeling unsupported. The lack of consistency and professionalism made it clear that employee well-being was not a priority.

One of the most egregious practices was the expectation that managers terminate employees during their vacations. This showed a shocking level of disrespect and disregard for staff. Such actions not only hurt individuals but also destroyed team morale and trust. It fostered a culture of fear, where employees were always on edge, wondering if they might be next.

Overall, the workplace culture was defined by dysfunction, poor communication, and a blatant lack of empathy. If the company hopes to retain talent, significant changes in leadership and culture are urgently needed.



I have worked at Friday for multiple seasons during both the winter and summer time. In any condition, members of staff, homeowners and  visitors provide a safe and comfortable environment for all. The core values of the company are shown through the respect and care of each of the employees. I started my current job just over a month ago and everyone was very welcoming and understanding when I had many questions when performing my work. The managers here are very understanding when it comes to a work-life balance. Our people and culture team are sure to be inclusive and their top priority is the safety of everyone at the resort. The only complaint I would have about this job is not always wanting to clean the bathrooms under certain circumstances. But, the thing I most look forward to when I arrive at work is going from an empty parking lot when I start at 6 am and watching more people come to enjoy the resort by the end of my shift. It is rewarding to see people come to the resort and knowing that I contributed to the success of the day whether it is for the visitors/homeowners or my coworkers.

You cannot beat the beautiful setting of this workplace! If that isn't enough to start a workday on the right foot, then the friendliness of your colleagues will certainly do the trick! Friday Harbour employs many of the best people I have ever worked with and the genuine support and enthusiasm for each other's accomplishments and successes make this a very pleasant work environment.
I have worked in several departments since joining Friday Harbour and the Management has always encouraged me to find my niche and provided support to make me successful. It is an environment where you will want to elevate your skills to be part of making Friday Harbour the best resort in Canada. 
The hardest part of this job is the work/life balance. The reason for that is because you become so passionate about the success of the resort, that you want to make your mark here. Rest assured that management will continue to encourage you to make time for your vacations! The job is challenging, but so rewarding when you know you have been a part of Friday Harbour's success in making happy memories for the owners and guests.

The worst management of any place I have ever worked. Grown adults treated like children. Toxic work environment. I was a shuttle driver and listened all day to employees complaining about management and even worse the non stop complaints from unhappy homeowners. Forced to work 10 days in a row. Night shift till midnight then day shift starting at 6 am without a day off. Unbelievable amount of   staff turnover. you work Christmas and new years eve with no management to be seen. The stunning thing is they had no plan on how to get gas into the vehicles so we would drive them till they were empty then park them. I had to pay to fuel the vehicle myself one time. They had the shuttle drivers managed by the house keeping department which was run by the worst manager I  have ever encountered. They finally hired her an assistant  to help run the transportation department but he did not have a drivers licence....im not kidding. I did like my fellow staff members and we did have some fun talking about the stunning leadership failures. May be a good first summer job for students but other than that avoid at all costs

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Sous chef 4 salaries reported	$65,000 per year
Shift leader 5 salaries reported	$18.98 per hour
Housekeeper 4 salaries reported	$18.78 per hour
Attendant 4 salaries reported	$18.04 per hour
Second chef d'exploitation 2 salaries reported	$22.00 per hour

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