How Panic Button Laws in Chicago Are Making an Impact

In 2016, UNITE HERE Local 1 conducted a study that found that 49% of the hotel employees surveyed have had guests flash them, answer the door naked, or expose themselves. These unnerving findings, as well as detailed personal stories that workers shared, highlighted the immediate need for change in the workplace.

This article covers the city of Chicago, one of the early adopters of hotel panic button legislation, and the passing of Municipal Code 4-6-180(e) Hotel Workers Sexual Harassment Ordinance.

For more compliance details for other cities and states in the United States, view our comprehensive Panic Button Legislation Guide for Hoteliers here.

Overview

The Hotel Workers Sexual Harassment Ordinance went into effect on July 1, 2018. It laid the foundation for hotel employee protections, focusing on important safety measures such as panic buttons and anti-harassment policies. The legislation requires that all hotels in Chicago give employees who work alone, a panic button or notification device.

Summary of Hotel Employer Responsibilities

The Hotel Workers Sexual Harassment Ordinance requires hotels to:

1. Provide panic buttons to employees who enter guest rooms or restrooms alone. The safety devices must be provided at no cost to the employees.
2. Develop, maintain, and comply with anti-sexual harassment policies.
3. Give all employees a copy of the policy and display the policy within the hotel.

What Features Should Your Panic Button Have?

(Image: Photo of a small, portable, and wearable panic button on a hand)

After you understand the requirements, the next step is to search for a device that meets those standards. Keep these important features in mind when looking for a panic button:

• The panic button must be portable, and easily carried and activated by the employee.
• Once the safety device is activated, it must notify the appropriate persons designated by the hotel employer.
• The safety device must have GPS capabilities and be able to identify the exact location of the employee in real time.
• The panic button must not require continued activation by the employee to sustain the alert (e.g. simple whistles, walkie-talkies or other non-GPS supported notification devices are not panic buttons according to Chicago’s Ordinance).

Keep Your Team Protected with React Mobile’s Panic Button Solutions

React Mobile provides easy-to-use panic button solutions engineered to keep your people safe. Our devices offer real-time location monitoring and quick alert activation, providing peace of mind for both your employees and management.

Book a free demo with us today and take the first step towards a safer workplace: https://www.reactmobile.com/demo-request.