2019 to See Implementation of Ballot Initiatives Intended to Protect Hospitality Staff
In the November half-term elections, voters weighed in on providing mobile panic devices such as RF Technologies HELP ALERT to provide greater security, particularly to staff working in isolation.
BROOKFIELD, Wis., Nov. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- High profile security incidents demonstrate the gravity and impact that workplace violence has on our nation. Recent attacks have rightfully captured the public's attention, and the unfortunate truth is that every workplace is at risk for situations involving violence and harassment. Within the hospitality industry, where housekeeping staff often work alone or in relative isolation, particular attention is being paid to the need to provide protection against such incidents. With increasing frequency, labor unions, the hotel industry itself and, now, voters, are calling for protection for these individuals.
2018 has seen increasing demand for personal panic alarms for hospitality staff, often in response to labor union demands; in September, five major U.S. hotel brands (Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott, and Wyndham) announced a joint pledge to enforce stronger safety and security measures for hotel employees—dubbed the '5-Star Promise' the pledge calls for nationwide implementation of the devices by 2020. And, while a handful of U.S. cities already have such ordinances in place — New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Miami Beach, and Seattle, among them — the November half-term elections saw an uptick in the call for voters to weigh in on ballot initiatives related specifically to the provision of personal security devices to protect workers on the job within their cities.
In November, Oakland, CA voters approved 'Measure Z' which, in addition to mandating increases in hourly wages for employees of hotels with 50 or more guest rooms, also establishes certain workplace protections—including employer-provided mobile panic devices. Measure Z also calls for protections to shield from reprisal employees who report violent or threatening behavior.
Also in November, voters In Long Beach, CA approved 'Measure WW' intended to put in place similar protections, namely that hotels with more than 50 rooms provide 'personal emergency contact devices' for staff who work in guest rooms without other hotel employees present, enabling them to summon on-scene assistance and report threatening conduct. In addition, hotels would be required to post notice of this practice in guest rooms.
Meanwhile, in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, where one high-end resort property came under scrutiny in 2017, when a former employee filed a sexual harassment and assault lawsuit against the resort and a staffing agency (with others following suit during the year that followed), proponents of a similar measure were unable to meet deadlines for getting the initiative on the November ballot. It is likely, however, that the question will be put to voters there, in 2019.
RFT Vice President Brian Kinne, who heads up the company's HELP ALERT mobile panic alarm product line, says, "We recognize the needs of the many dedicated workers in the hospitality industry, and are fully committed to providing the best tools possible to help mitigate potential threats. We know HELP ALERT notifications are effective. About that, there is no doubt." Kinne adds, "There's growing recognition in the industry that employees working in isolation are at particular risk for harassment and/or assault. If the individual has the ability to promptly and discreetly alert security to a situation while remaining calm, knowing that help is on the way, escalation can most often be deterred."
RFT is pleased to be a part of such an important initiative focused on keeping hospitality workers safe. We are ready to put to work our 30+ years of experience keeping people safe in hospitals, senior living facilities, schools, higher education, and hotels, with our HELP ALERT Mobile Panic Alarm System.
For background information on this important issue, follow these news links:
Oakland, CA (Measure Z): https://www.oaklandconduit.com/measure_on_hotel_worker_safety_to_appear_on_nov_6_ballot
Long Beach, CA (Measure WW): https://ballotpedia.org/Long_Beach,_California,_Measure_WW,_Emergency_Contact_Devices_for_Hotel_Employees_(November_2018)
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2018/08/07/judge-denies-bid-to-move-up-vote-on-rancho-palos-verdes-hotel-worker-panic-button-ballot-measure/
WTTW-TV feature on RFT's HELP ALERT: https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/06/25/starting-july-1-chicago-hotels-will-need-have-panic-buttons
FOX32-Chicago feature on HELP ALERT: http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/293929523-video
July 2016 report issued by Unite Here Local 1 (Chicago):
https://www.handsoffpantson.org/wp-content/uploads/HandsOffReportWeb.pdf
New York: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/11/us/panic-buttons-hotel-me-too.html
Hotel industry: https://skift.com/2018/09/06/u-s-hotel-industry-commits-to-giving-panic-button-safety-devices-to-workers/
About RF Technologies
RF Technologies provides safety solutions at over 10,000 senior living, healthcare, education and hospitality facilities nationwide. Life safety solutions such as CODE ALERT® Wander Management, QUICK RESPONSE® Wireless Nurse Call, SAFE PLACE® Infant Security, and HELP ALERT® reduce risk for residents, staff, and the facility; innovations such as RFT CARES® smartphone application improve caregiver coordination and efficiency. Backed by 30 years of experience in senior living, RF Technologies' solutions are UL-certified to meet today's life safety standards. For information visit: http://www.rft.com.
SOURCE Rf Technologies, Inc.
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