Across the US there is increased Legislation requiring employers to provide panic buttons for lone working employees. This is affecting more hotels and casinos but also affects a range of service workers in states such as Washington.
We have compiled a list of panic button legislation across states and cities in the US, with information on the laws and how the employers can comply with the rules.
We also describe how Ok Alone can be used to comply with the panic button legislation by providing a low-cost app-based solution to provide a panic button and keep your employees safe.
This year Washington State has introduced state law intended to protect workers in the hospitality industry from sexual harassment and assault. What is the new Washington State Panic Button Law? A provision of the law (RCW 49.60.515) was passed to protect isolated workers in certain workplaces from sexual harassment and assault and requires affected employers to …
New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill in June 2019 intended to help protect hotel housekeeping and room service workers against assault and harassment whilst working alone. Senate back new lone worker legislation “We must protect the safety of workers in the hospitality industry,” said Governor Murphy. “This new law will ensure that hotel employees …
In 2016 UNITE HERE Local 1, a Chicago hospitality workers union, carried out a study that looked at the safety of local hotel and casino workers. Based on their findings the state of Illinois introduced the ‘Hotel and Casino Safety Act (S.B. 75)’. This legislation requires all hospitality based lone workers to be issued with …
Two new laws are being introduced to help protect lone workers. Illinois Signed into Illinois state law on August the 9th 2019 by Governor J.B. Pritzker, the ‘Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act (S.B. 75)’ requires all employees working alone in guest rooms, restrooms or casino floors to be supplied with a safety or notification …
The State of Massachusetts is in the process of introducing new legislation, the Safer Hotels for Workers Act, to protect lone working hotel employees. Legislation for Lone workers in Massachusetts hotels Bill H.1657, presented by Adrian C. Madaro, has been added to Chapter 149D of the General Laws, as Section 105E. Bill H.1657 has been …
In September 2018 a hospitality industry group, The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) announced the 5-Star Promise. The promise is a voluntary pledge by AHLA members to providing employee panic devices, having anti-harassment policies in place in multiple languages, and offering ongoing employee training and education on preventing and responding to sexual harassment. ¹ …
In July of 2018 Miami Beach became one of the growing number of cities, counties and states to introduce protective legislation for lone working hotel/hospitality employees. Legislation for Lone workers in Miami Beach hotels There are an estimated 11,500 housekeepers employed in Miami-Dade County, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and a majority …
In 2018 the Las Vegas chapters of UNITE HERE’s Culinary and Bartender Unions negotiated contracts with local hotels to equip hotel and casino workers with panic buttons. Survey of Casino and Hotel Workers in Las Vegas In a survey conducted by UNITE HERE’s Culinary and Bartender Unions of over 10,000 Las Vegas casino workers: 59% …
Providing emergency devices for unionized hospitality workers, in particular housekeepers, has been the law in New York City since 2013. ¹ Lone worker protection for New York City Hotel staff In early 2012 The New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, AFL-CIO, (Hotel Trades Council for short) for New York City fought in contract negotiations …
In November of 2018, Oakland voters passed Measure Z, an amendment to the Oakland Municipal Code (OMC), establishing workplace protections for hotel workers. Oakland’s Hotel Workers Protection & Employments Standards Ordinance has been added to the OMC as Chapter 5.93, titled “Hotel Minimum Wage and Working Conditions.” This came into effect on December 23, 2018. …
In February of 2018, the Sacramento County’s Board of Supervisors passed and adopted an ordinance requiring hotels to provide lone workers with panic buttons. The Ordinance applied to the wider county, but not to the City of Sacramento itself. The City of Sacramento adopted its own hotel worker protection ordinance in January of 2020. Sacramento …
Working as a Security Guard is a particularly dangerous occupation in the US. On average, security officers suffer injuries at more than twice the rate of the average worker. In some countries nearly two private security officers are killed on duty for every police officer fatality. ¹ The incidence rate for injuries to security guards …
Seattle’s Hotel Employees Health and Safety Initiative has had a bumpy road on its way to becoming legislation. The ordinance provides protection for the health and safety of hotel employees working in Seattle. This ordinance is the result of Seattle voters passing Initiative 124 (I-124) in November 2016. Initiative 124 (I-124) was unfortunately struck down …
On August 27, 2019, the Santa Monica City Council voted unanimously to pass an ordinance providing protections for hotel workers. One of the items of the ordinance was that workers be issued with personal safety devices. Research into Lone Worker Vulnerability The ordinance was recommended by the City’s Commission on the Status of Women in …