This research explores the experiences that seasonal leisure-service worker have while working in the holiday park if Leksand Resort AB. This is regarded as an important topic, as certain experiences as for example satisfaction or motivation, can be a strong influence on the quality of the services provided as well as an indicator if workers will return in later seasons. Additional, Hickman and Mayer (2003) stated that not enough research has been conducted about the personnel side of holiday park work.
Therefore, two qualitative methods of data collection were implemented in form of semi structured in-depth interviews, as well as observations. While the interviews allowed the researcher an insight into personal opinions and experiences of the workers, to further explore the phenomenon of leisure-service worker experiences, the observations provided data on changes within the company, comparing work-conditions, co-worker relationships, and management contact in 2017 with those that the interviewees mentioned in the interviews from 2016.
The findings show that co-worker relationships were perceived as the most important part for having a good experience at work. Also, several negative influences on the employee experience that employees from 2016 expressed were taken care of by the company in 2017. Still, employees do not feel as if the Management has big interest in their well being. This misunderstanding, can possibly explained by the communication difficulties that some employees expressed.
The focus of this research was not to explore all experiences at Leksand Resort AB, but rather the experiences of a limited number with particular attention on attitudes, and feelings of these workers. For future research it is recommended to regard all divisions of the company, as well as Management.
The research is a valuable addition to research within this field as the employee satisfaction is often being measured with surveys in a quantitative matter, to representatively explore levels of satisfaction (or dissatisfaction). This thesis on the other hand applies semi structured in-depth interviews, to gain understanding of motives and attitudes, and to understand the details that matter to employees.
2017.