Our last segment, part two, delved into how proactive leak detection with the Internet of Things (IoT) can reduce the potential for catastrophic damages from water leaks. Part three of our Safety First Blog Series continues our focus on risk mitigation in hospitality by illuminating how IoT supports employee safety with staff alert buttons.
In an industry with one of the highest rates of workplace assault and harassment at 58%, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) developed a Five-Star Promise to provide employees with safety devices and enhanced policies, training, and resources that promote employee and guest safety. In many cities and states across the US, employers are now required to equip staff with personal safety devices.
An example of a personal safety device is an IoT-powered staff alert solution, where discreet wearables are designed to protect employees by enabling them to trigger the need for help at the push of a button in emergencies or unsafe situations. These are ideal for hotel environments where employees are especially vulnerable - such as situations where staff work in large, sprawling hotel properties, alone, or low-traffic areas. To minimize the potential for accidental or false alarms, devices may be equipped with buttons on both sides so that activation requires a dual button press.
Designed to send a silent signal via text and email to a pre-set list of individuals (e.g., security teams or management personnel) with an employee’s precise location, the device will continue sending updated location data every minute until the alert is stopped. The discreet activation and silent notifications are critical since visible, audible alerts can potentially make an uncomfortable or dangerous situation even worse. Hoteliers should look to IoT-backed staff alert buttons that deliver precise, real-time location information to know exactly when and where a staff member is in duress to dispatch help and provide resolution promptly.
To alleviate concerns regarding employee privacy and autonomy, some devices ensure this location data is only provided if an alert is triggered – meaning they’re not actively “tracking” employees outside of these circumstances. Moreover, since certain areas like supply storage rooms, stairwells, or laundry facilities may not have strong cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity, a solution that can work reliably throughout the entire hotel facility is paramount since connectivity issues could interfere with signal transmissions and prevent help from arriving as quickly as possible.
In addition to mounting regulatory pressures on hotel operators to advance staff protection measures, a recent survey by the AHLA found that 94% of hotels are understaffed, 47% are severely understaffed, and around 50% say the shortage is “severe.” Given the average turnover rate in hospitality was 84.9% compared to the overall national rate of 47.2% as of 2021, hotels have an urgent need to retain every staff member they have – and a solution that helps employees feel safe can go a long way towards employee retention.
One IoT Solution, Infinite Possibilities: Unlock Powerful Efficiencies in Hospitality
Maximize your investment value and ROI, drive cost savings, and future-proof your hotel’s ecosystem with a single IoT solution infrastructure that scales seamlessly for additional use cases as your needs evolve.
Up Next: Part 4 – Keep Culinary Environments Safe with Digital Food Safety
Our fourth and final article uncovers another cornerstone of risk mitigation in the hospitality industry: IoT-backed digital food safety.
