Protecting Hotel Workers with Panic Buttons
Table of Contents
Technology for safety in a hotel room: Panic buttons and employee safety devices
The safety issue
Hotel panic buttons: The safety solution for the hospitality industry
Looking out for hotel workers: panic button apps and devices legislation in the United States
Hotel Panic Button for the State of New Jersey: Senate No. 2986
Hotel Panic Button for the State of Washington: Senate Bill 5258
Hotel Panic Button for the State of Illinois: Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Oakland: Measure Z
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Miami Beach: Ordinance No. 2018-4207
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Seattle: Chapter 14.25 Hotel Employees Health and Safety
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Chicago: Municipal Code 4-6-180
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Santa Monica: Chapter 4.67 Hotel Worker Protection
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Sacramento: Hotel Worker Protection Ordinance
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Los Angeles: the Hotel Worker Protection Ordinance (HWPO), Section 182
What does the future of hotel worker safety look like?
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When was the last time you stayed at a hotel? We’re guessing that it’s been at least more than a year, right? When the pandemic made its worldwide impact, travel – of all kinds – almost came to a total standstill in an attempt to stop the spread of Covid-19. Last February in 2021, hotels in British Columbia had occupancy of only 30 percent. During that time, New Brunswick had the lowest occupancy of the provinces shown at 12.7 percent. In the United States, the occupancy rate was 40.3 percent as of November 2020
With the mass vaccinations taking place across the globe, we are optimistic that we may return to some normalcy with people traveling again and hotels becoming the bustling, exciting places they were before the pandemic. Regardless of what transpires, hotel workers will always be performing their jobs alone, facing several serious safety hazards like toxic chemicals and violence and sexual harassment. With nearly all hotel housekeepers being female, many of these vulnerable workers regularly experience harassment – in a 2016 survey, more than half - 60% - of respondents in Chicago said they have been sexually harassed while at work.
Technology for safety in a hotel room: Panic buttons and employee safety devices
To combat harassment and violence, hotels have begun to provide hotel panic button apps, devices, and technology for a hotel rooms to their staff, empowering them to immediately request help if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe. The situation is so urgent that several major hotel chains like Hilton and Hyatt have promised to equip their staff with hotel panic button apps, devices, and worker safety technology. In 2018, the American Hotel and Lodging Association announced the 5-Star Promise, a voluntary commitment from AHLA members “to enhance policies, training, and resources, including employee safety devices, that are aimed and strengthening safety and security for hotel employees and guests.”
The safety issue
Nearly 60 member companies, representing about 20,000 hotels, made the promise. As a result, more than 1 million hotel staff will have better protection while working. While these are impressive numbers, common issues amongst many hotel panic button apps and devices are that they are clunky and easy to misplace, with batteries that always need to be changed or charged. Additionally, we have heard comments that guests who see these devices sometimes become suspicious and worried that they are being monitored or recorded.
Hotel panic buttons: The safety solution for the hospitality industry
While the technology for safety in a hotel room is quite effective, SafetyLine offers a more ideal and affordable worker safety solution with its user-friendly app and Bluetooth hotel panic button that can be easily downloaded on any existing device like a smartphone, tablet, or desktop.
But SafetyLine is much more than one of the several hotel panic button apps and devices available on the market. SafetyLine users employ the automated app to check-in and check out before and after, as well as throughout their shift, confirming their safety with their employer. If the employee is working in a potentially high-risk scenario, the check-in duration can be shortened to 15 minutes or even less. During check-ins and check-outs, other essential information is sent to the employer including the precise location of the worker, any voicemail messages sent by the worker during their shift, as well as the employee’s profile.
Additionally, SafetyLine has a fall-detection feature that alerts the company if the employee has fallen and is unable to call for help. Additionally, SafetyLine has a useful shake-for-emergency feature that allows the worker to easily and immediately call for help.
Looking out for hotel workers: panic button apps and devices legislation in the United States
In addition to new technologies to protect these vulnerable people, governments, particularly in the US, are leading the way and passing laws that make devices like hotel panic buttons mandatory, as well as other safety measures.
Below is a list of American cities that progressively require hotels to provide panic buttons and devices to their staff.
Hotel Panic Button for the State of New Jersey: Senate No. 2986
In June 2019, the State of New Jersey passed Senate No. 2986, which requires that all New Jersey hotels, with more than 100 rooms, must provide staff with a hotel panic button that is synced with Bluetooth beacons in each room. When pressed, security employees will instantly be notified of an emergency. In the legislation, the State defines a panic button as a method of ‘portable emergency contact, two-way radio or other electronic devices. If a New Jersey hotel does not abide by NJ panic button law and provide its employees with panic buttons, they could be subject to a civil penalty of up to $5000 for the first infraction and up to $10,000 for ensuing violations - collectible by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Hotel Panic Button for the State of Washington: Senate Bill 5258
Since January 1, 2020, all State of Washington hotels and motels, with 60 rooms or more, must equip employees with personal panic buttons while working. Senate Bill 5258 was passed to combat the sexual harassment and sexual assault isolated hotel workers were experiencing. Since January 1, 2021, hotels and motels with less than 60 rooms must comply with legislation.
Hotel Panic Button for the State of Illinois: Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act
On July 1, 2020, the State of Illinois made it a requirement that its hotels with more than 100 guest rooms must provide hotel panic buttons, at no cost, for both part-time and full-time employees. The Act states that it is illegal for employers to retaliate or reprimand employees who use their panic buttons in genuine and appropriate circumstances. Under the Act, hotels and hotel companies are subject to fines between $250 and $500 for each violation.
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Oakland: Measure Z
In November 2018, Oakland voters helped pass Measure Z, a measure that requires hotels with 50 or more rooms to provide employees with increased minimum wage, hotel panic buttons, and workload restrictions to prevent fatigue. The City of Oakland defines a hotel employee as someone who provides service in an Oakland hotel and who works an average of five hours per week for four weeks. In addition to a monitor to respond to any emergencies, Measure Z suggests that the company assign secondary responders for support and backup.
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Miami Beach: Ordinance No. 2018-4207
Implemented in August 2019, Ordinance No. 2018-4207 protects hotel and hostel workers from assault and sexual harassment with hotel panic buttons and portable emergency contact devices. If an employer fails to comply with the ordinance, a written warning will be sent. If an employer violates the law for a second time within six months, they will receive a civil fine of $500, followed by a $1000 fine for the third offense, and a $2000 fine for the fourth and all other subsequent offenses.
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Seattle: Chapter 14.25 Hotel Employees Health and Safety
Seattle passed the Hotel Employees Health and Safety (HEHS) Initiative which requires employers to provide panic buttons to all employees who provide in-room services for hotels with 60 rooms or more - at no cost to the employee. If a staff member uses their hotel panic button under appropriate circumstances, they can leave the scene if it’s safer to wait elsewhere.
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Chicago: Municipal Code 4-6-180
Since July 2018, all Chicago hotels must provide any staff who ‘clean, inventory, inspect, or restock supplies in a guest room or restroom’ - under circumstances where no other staff is present - with a panic button or notification device. If a hotel does not comply, they may have to pay a fine of at least $250 and no more than $500 for each violation. The Code states it is the employer’s responsibility to make sure that hotel panic buttons are working correctly, are charged, are portable, are activated, can summon timely assistance, and do not require continued activation by the employee.
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Santa Monica: Chapter 4.67 Hotel Worker Protection
As of January 1, 2020, the City of Santa Monica requires all hotels to provide their staff with hotel panic buttons - regardless of the hotel’s size. Under the Chapter, employers are obligated to provide a security guard, manager, or a supervisory hotel staff member who can provide instant help if an emergency is signaled. Like other legislation, Santa Monica hotels cannot reprimand staff for activating the panic button during appropriate circumstances and these devices must be provided at no cost to the employee.
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Sacramento: Hotel Worker Protection Ordinance
Effective July 14, 2020, Sacramento hotels have six months to implement panic buttons and hotel worker safety solutions. The Ordinance states that if an employer does not comply, they may be faced with a fine between $25 and $2500 each day the violation ensues. The hotel panic buttons are intended to be activated when there is an emergency, or there is the threat of one. This will alert designated hotel security staff of the distressed employee’s location.
Hotel Panic Button for the City of Los Angeles: the Hotel Worker Protection Ordinance (HWPO), Section 182
In August 2022, the Los Angeles City Council passed a law adding Section 182 to the Los Angeles Municipal Code which requires LA hotel employers to provide a personal security device, such as a panic button, to its employees working where there is not another hotel worker present. This device is intended to be used when the lone worker “reasonably believes that violent or threatening conduct or an emergency is occurring in the hotel worker’s presence.”
What does the future of hotel worker safety look like?
It’s clear that our hotels are starting to take their workers’ safety more seriously. The ball seems to be rolling for new protective legislation and measures to ensure that workers in the industry can quickly get help when they are in a dangerous situation where violence and harassment is involved. Our question for our readers is this: Do you feel hotel panic buttons are enough to protect these workers?
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