Miami Beach hotels next city to arm hotel workers with panic buttons
Miami Beach lawmakers have agreed to arm hotel housekeeping staff with panic buttons to fight sexual and physical harassment.
The Miami Beach City Commission voted unanimously to the proposal after commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez proposed the measure last year.
Rosen Gonzalez sought the measure after saying she was sexually harassed.
"This is about changing inappropriate behavior in hospitality and it’s mostly men, I hate to say it. But guests have gotten away with this behavior for way too long," Rosen Gonzalez said.
The ordnance will take effect next summer however hotels will be given flexibility over the type of safety button or notification device they install.
Miami Beach hotels must also display a deterrent message inside each hotel room notifying guests that employees have access to panic buttons.
Hotels found not complying will be fined after an initial written warning.
"When you show this level of respect for employees you are going to get it back in so many non-tangible, non-financial ways," Rosen Gonzalez said.
Wendy Kallergis, president of the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association said: We have a diverse mix of hotels in Miami Beach that include large corporate chains, limited service brands, boutiques and independent hotels…We will work closely with all of our hotels throughout the process."
Other cities which have adopted panic buttons for front-line hospitality workers include Chicago and Seattle.
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