Hotel employees are protected with combination app – panic button

In May 2011, there was a report of rape against former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn (DSK). At the Sofitel hotel in New York, a chambermaid indicated that she had been raped by him. Two weeks later, there was a similar incident at The Pierre hotel in Manhattan. Both the Sofitel and The Pierre decided in June 2011 that they would provide the “housekeeping staff” with devices inspired by alarm buttons for seniors (see  CNN artikel).

In the years that followed, more and more hotels started protecting their employees with a panic button against violence or sexual intimidation.

The panic button is an easy uncomplicated solution. It can be used if the employee has the feeling of insecurity or worse, that (sexual) violence is taking place. If the panic button is pressed, people are immediately warned.

Is a panic button for hotel employees mandatory in the US?

hotel paniekknop

The first obligation to provide employees with a panic button was at unionized hotels in New York. Housekeeping employees have been carrying a panic button since 2013.

A large number of other states followed. Sometimes a panic button was only required if there are more than a certain number of rooms and the requirement is often only made for those employees who enter the hotel rooms. In addition to the panic button, it is sometimes also specified that a security guard must be present in the hotel.

Is a panic button for hotel staff mandatory in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands there is no obligation to carry a panic button. The question is to what extent it is necessary to impose an explicit obligation. After all, in the end it is about the employer offering the employees a safe working environment. This is laid down in the Working Conditions Act “Arbowet“.

hotel evacueren

Who carries a panic button in hotels in the Netherlands?

Hotel emergency button

The panic button is used by various employees in hotel in the Netherlands. The usage varies from the hotel clerk, the night watchman, the security guard, the maid to the cleaner.

How is the panic button worn?

The button is often worn by employees in or on a pocket (of shirt, pants or skirt).

lone worker hotel

Which persons are alerted?

registration of presence

Wearing a panic button is of course not enough. In the end, what matters is what happens after a person pushes the button, for example who will be alerted? This can be either be colleagues who work nearby or a private emergency center.

Ask for panic button selection for hotel.

There are several providers of panic buttons. Some buttons look like two drops of water to our solution. The most substantial difference lies in the quality of the system behind the button. What questions can you ask before selecting a panic button for hotel employees?

  • How many people can be warned?
  • How soon will people be alerted after the panic button is pressed?
  • Is it possible to warn people present?
  • What if no one is “available”/ “answering”
  • Is it possible to warn a Private Alarm Center?
  • Can a listening connection be set up?
  • Can a talk-listen connection be set up?
  • Should there be a WiFi or telephone network available?
  • Does it work even when no network is available?
  • Is it possible to determine the exact location of the person who pressed the panic button?
  • In addition to the panic button, are there other functionalities (e.g. “non-movement” detection, interval control, fall alarm, etc.)
  • Is it possible to see who has acted upon the alarm?
  • Is it possible to see who has / has not activated the panic button?

Do you want to know more about our solutions for employee safety in a hotel?

Would you like to try MultiBel’s panic button? Or would you like more information about the possibilities of MultiBel? Contact us for a no-obligation demo and discuss the options tailored to your needs and your situation.