Santa Monica Hotel Panic Buttons Legislation

As outlined previously, other cities in California, as well as numerous other states, have complied with local hotel panic button legislation aimed to preserve the safety of hotel workers.  Following suit, the City of Santa Monica is requiring all hotel employers provide hotel staff with panic buttons as of January 1, 2020. These regulations apply regardless of the size of the hotel.  Given that tourism is a major contributor to Santa Monica’s economy, the safety of hospitality staff is highly important.  The city recognizes that hotel staff are often in a position to identify and react to instances of violence, harassment, and other crimes.  Therefore, employee need to be equipped with safety devices that notifies others, in the event they witness or are subjected to a crime or to prevent activities that may jeopardize the experience of both guests and staff.  Hotel employers are obligated to assign a security guard, manager, or supervisory hotel staff personnel to provide immediate assistance if an emergency is signaled.  Employers cannot exhibit adverse behavior if a panic button is activated in reasonable circumstances and panic button devices must be provided free of cost to employees.

Hotel Panic Buttons – What to look for:

Brand Approved:

Marriott International Hotels

Marriott International, plans to provide employees in the U.S. and Canada with safety devices/panic buttons, with the goal to fully install and integrate by 2020.

 

Hilton

Hilton has already implemented employee safety devices at numerous hotel locations and plan to deploy devices for all employees working in guestrooms at Hilton-managed properties in the U.S. by 2020.  In addition, Hilton plans to include anti-harassment and anti-trafficking policies and training at all their properties.

 

Hyatt

Hyatt became one of the first hotel brands to issue safety devices to employee who work in guestrooms.  This is a brand standard for Hyatt-managed full-service hotels in the U.S., and more than half of full-service franchise Hyatt hotels will implement safety devices to staff.

 

IHG

IHG has deployed safety devices to employees at numerous hotel locations within the U.S. and plan to fully implement safety devices at their managed hotels in the U.S. by 2020.  As well as mandatory and enhanced workplace training for corporate and hotel employees in the U.S.

 

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts plan to deploy employee safety devices to all employees in the U.S. who are assigned to work alone in guestrooms.  These devices will be provided to the employee at no cost.  Wyndham also plans to roll out mandatory, annual anti-sexual harassment, discrimination, and human trafficking training for all employees.

 

AccorHotels

Accor plans to equip employees who enter guestrooms and restrooms unaccompanied with safety devices by 2020.  Accor also has a strict policy against sexual harassment and will also provide mandatory trainings to employees.

 

Best Western Hotels

Best Western branded hotels in the U.S. are required by the end of 2020 to provide employees with safety devices, at no cost to hotel employees who are assigned to work alone in hotel guestrooms or hotel areas.  In addition, employees will be provided with training to identify and report sexual harassment.

 

Radisson Hotel Group

Radisson will deploy employee safety devices for hotel employees who work alone in guestrooms by 2020. Mandatory anti-sexual harassment policies and trainings will be provided to all employees.