CHLA Lodging News July/August 2020

www.calodging.com July/August 2020 7 continues   Reopening Hospitality in California What You Need to Know DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, hotels have faced unprecedented challenges to remain operational and keep their staff employed. The time to reopen finally seems to be here, but as a result of leaner teams and fewer staff on guestroom floors, hotels must revisit the implementation of safety buttons to empower their employees when they work alone and to promote a more robust safety culture in their hotels. To help hoteliers with this assessment, and to clarify often conflicting legislation, we have summarized the safety button requirements of five local California ordinances below and have also highlighted three specific requirements that hotels should pay attention to as they select their vendors to provide this important service. SACRAMENTO COUNTY CITY OF SACRAMENTO OAKLAND LONG BEACH SANTA MONICA Categories of employees Any employee assigned to work in a guestroom or restroom. Any hotel employee assigned to work in a guestroom or restroom. Any hotel employee assigned to work in a guest room or bathroom without other employees present. Any hotel employee assigned to work in a guest room or bathroom without other employees present—regardless of job classification. A hotel worker assigned to work in guestrooms or restrooms without another hotel employee present— but does not include a supervisory employee. Type of device Portable emergency contact device so that an employee can quickly or easily activate device to summon to the employee’s location prompt assistance by hotel staff that are able to provide immediate aid and assistance such as a hotel security officer or manager; includes devices that can create noise or otherwise alert others. Portable device that an employee can quickly and easily activate to summon to the employee’s location hotel staff that can quickly provide immediate aid and assistance An emergency contact device carried by the hotel employee which allows them to alert another employee or security guard responsible for providing immediate on-scene assistance. An emergency electronic contact device carried by a hotel employee by which the hotel employee may summon immediate on- scene assistance from another hotel employee. Portable emergency contact device, including but not limited to a panic button, to summon to the hotel worker’s location prompt assistance by a designated hotel employee. Signage required on guestroom doors? No No Yes No Yes Penalties for non- compliance County has budgeted for future staff costs for visits & enforcement— but no clear penalties indicated in the ordinance. Civil penalties of $250–$25,000/ day that violation continues; also subject to criminal sanctions and administrative penalties. City can order administrative penalty of $50/violation/ day/employee up to a maximum of $1000/ employee; also, hotel could be required to pay an additional $50/day/employee to compensate the City for enforcement costs. None indicated Liable for actual damages of up to $100/employee/ day; but for willful violations, the amount of monies and penalties are tripled.