To promote communication and problem solving,
the F. S. George V management implemented a
"direct line." Once a month the general manager
met with employees, supervisors, and managers in
groups of 30. The groups met for three consecutive
months so that issues raised could be addressed,
with results reported to the group. Managers believed
that the F. S. George V was the only palace
hotel in France with such a communication process.
It was important to note that the groups met separately—
that is, employees met separately from supervisors—
because subordinates in France did not
feel comfortable speaking up in front of superiors.
French law mandated that a comi(e d'entreprise
(a staff committee) be established in organizations
with more than 50 employees. It represented employees
to management on decisions that affected
employees (e.g., salaries, work hours). At the F. S.
George V, Le Calvez chaired the committee's
monthly meeting, which included union representatives.
"We would do these things anyway, so it is
easy to adjust to these laws," Corinthios said. "We
do it in France because it is required by law. But
we do the same around the world; it just has a
different name.