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Uncomplicate Your Staff Safety Tech: Why Easier Is Better

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If you take a look at your desk right now you’ll probably see one or two favorite tech toys you reach for multiple times daily without giving it a second thought. Take another look around and you might notice several tech devices you rarely remember to charge, much less use. Whether they’re outdated, unwieldy or just too hard to figure out, chances are good that you bought and then forgot about devices you thought would make life easier.

 

We’re all stressed enough as it is

Early this year the American Psychological Association (APA) released a poll about stress levels in the country. Stress in America: January 2021 Stress Snapshot revealed some disturbing statistics about the way our stress and anxiety keep increasing.

On a scale from one to ten, with one meaning barely any stress and 10 meaning extreme stress, the average adult reported a nearly 5.6 stress level. While that might not seem to be tipping the scale to stress, it is significantly higher than last year just after the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic.

Even more sobering was the fact that the stress level of essential workers keeps increasing.

 

Next gen tech is more sophisticated- but easier to use

In a recent feature on ABC News affiliate WCVB 5, Chief National Consumer Correspondent Jeff Rossen wrote about post-pandemic gadgets. Several of the devices shared were inspired by our new day-to-day usage habits and the evolution of the way we interact with others, albeit on a more limited basis.

From kiosks with constantly shifting buttons, to a video doorbell that also takes your guests’ temperature, the recurring theme was ease of use. In other words, as the technology became more advanced, the way to use it was cut down to a step or two.

As more businesses — especially those in the hotel, hospitality and casino industries— open up again, there will be the need for training for new and returning staff. Add to that the new panic button legislations and it’s likely that your staffers might already be feeling a bit frazzled. The last thing you want is to add more stress to their working day by outfitting them with tech that’s difficult to use.

 

4 things to consider before buying new safety tech for your staff:

 

  1. Keep it simple, supervisors: Your staff is stressed out enough, they don’t have time or mental bandwidth to learn complicated new protocols and operating systems.In a potential emergency, the only thing your staff needs to focus on is getting to a safe place while  informing others there’s an extreme situation.There’s neither time or need for any bells or whistles. With safety tech and panic buttons, the goal is to easily implement the device. Imagine if in the event of a potential emergency, a complicated protocol had to be followed. Imagine the time wasted if a housekeeper in potential danger had to inform their supervisor who would then contact their supervisor until a request for help made its way up the corporate food chain. Or worse, what if there was a long password followed by symbols and emergency phrasing that had to be entered before people could access help?At Relay, we designed our panic buttons and system to be easy and intuitive. Our design team realized that it’s key to minimize stress in already stressful situations. Push a button and let others know you need help, and that’s it.  In an emergency situation it can be hard to concentrate, much less even remember anything other than needing help and accessing it immediately.At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

  2. What does the instruction manual look like? Not all of us read instruction manuals and most of us have extensive training for all staff members. And while some kitchen gadgets come with booklets that might contain 50 or more pages, others manage to pare down the instructions to a single sheet. Before investing in something to be used by your staff, buy a sample for yourself and read the instruction manual. Is it easy to understand? Or after trying to read a manual and set up a device at least  a half dozen times do you feel like banging your head against  the wall? If the instructions seem too complicated, chances are good the product itself won’t be easy to use, much less train your staff to implement in any efficient manner.
  3. What are they using now? While some Windows or Mac loyalists argue over which operating system reigns supreme, hospitality industry employees simply use whichever system is already in place. But are they using the system you’ve set up well or efficiently? If you notice your staff is shying away from trying out the computer or tablets or tools that exist to make their work lives easier, find one that requires the least amount of thought possible. Productivity suffers when using work tools becomes too complicated. So does safety. If it’s hard to use, people will stop using it.
  4. Your staff might have an opinion on panic buttons: Your distanced staffers simply want to feel safe. But as the panic button laws roll out, they probably have had conversations amongst themselves about what they do or don’t want.  This could be a great opportunity to reach out to your staff to talk about panic buttons and find out if they have favorites, likes or dislikes. It will take some stress out of the situation while also allowing them to weigh in, ask questions and gain reassurance that you want to make this as easy and stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

 

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are affordable, and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

7 reasons why Panic Buttons are the best thing to happen to your business

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If you work in the hospitality industry, chances are good you’ve been hearing a lot of news and information related to the new panic button legislation. And as many of us understand this is a great move for the industry, it’s hard to be relaxed about a topic that has the word panic built into the name.

 

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

 

Take the panic out of panic buttons:

If you stop to think about it, panic buttons are probably the best thing to happen to hotels and casinos in years, and here’s why.

  1. It builds up your brand reputation: Inc reported that 69% of job seekers would reject a job offer from a company with a bad reputation. While legally all in the hospitality sector will eventually have to give panic buttons to specific employees — especially solo workers and housekeeping staff— some are still dragging their feet about the process. By being one of the first to outfit your staff with panic buttons, you show guests and even potential investors that you take the business of both safety and hospitality very seriously. In a sometimes gossipy industry, being one of the first to take safety concerns seriously gets you and your property talked about in the best way possible.
  2. You’ll retain more employees: Training new staff can sometimes feel like a full-time job in itself. But what about training staff who then leave if they don’t feel safe or protected by their employers? By ensuring that your staff has new and working panic buttons, you’re letting them know that you’re invested in their safety and wellbeing. This automatically reminds them how important they are to your company overall.
  3. Workers will be less distracted: On a practical level, a panic button allows hotel and casino staff to better pay attention to the work at hand. If someone is constantly looking for a way to contact management in case of an emergency, they probably won’t be able to work as efficiently or effectively. By giving them a panic button connected to a larger network, you’re handing them peace of mind as well. They can pay attention to the task at hand and know that if a guest behaves inappropriately, all they have to do is push a button and help is on the way.
  4. You can shore up the safety on trouble spots: While no one wants to hear that their property is unsafe, the reality is that many workers are sexually harassed or worse on hotel property. By monitoring the activity on panic buttons, hotel safety staff can better understand if certain areas of the property are less safe, poorly lit or otherwise not as safe as the rest of the property.
  5. You’ll better support your security staff: The reality of modern life is that emergencies happen and security staff needs to be constantly on high alert. Knowing that your entire team has rapid connectivity in the event of an emergency means that your security staff can better manage their own resources as needed.
  6.  You’ll be more reassured about remote areas of the property: Most hotel management won’t admit how stressful it can be to fully monitor every single foot of the property. If your staff is fully outfitted with panic buttons operating on a secure network, they’ll be able to connect with anyone on the property if needed. While it won’t replace surveillance and security staff, it’s another way of empowering workers and keeping them safer.
  7. You appear less vulnerable to potential mischief makers: Let’s face it, there are a lot of individuals who surveil properties in the hopes of finding and then later exploiting vulnerabilities. If your staff all have visible panic buttons, it sends a message to anyone looking to rob a property or sexually harass your staff that they will be immediately reported and hopefully caught. In this case the panic button speaks volumes without anyone saying a word.

 

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are compliant, affordable, and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

3 Ways to Do More With Fewer Resources

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No matter how well-funded your company is or how carefully you plan out your budget, there are times when spending has to stop. Even if there’s promise of more in the future, for the time being you have to learn how to make do with fewer resources.

 

The year that changed everything:

For many of us, last year was that moment. Maybe it was a smaller staff or less access to the resources needed to run your business. Whatever it was,  COVID-19 also cut down on most of our spending and socializing. And nearly all of the experiential moments in our lives including live entertainment, travel and dining out, ground to a halt. More than that, it felt like anyone even peripherally connected to the hospitality industry had to tighten their collective belts and make do with less.

 

Making less seem like more:

Many are still struggling with trying to keep up morale — and appearances — when making do with less. To help you figure it out, we spent some time brainstorming and came up with 3 creative (and sort of sneaky) ways to make it seem as if everything is exactly as it should be.

 

The Relay difference:
If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are compliant, affordable, and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

 

  1. Frame it differently:
    To paraphrase Mary Poppins, a spoonful of sugar really does make the medicine go down. In other words, think about all the creative words and expressions we use. For instance we’ve taken the idea of junking and turned it into a more creative and beautiful alternative, upcycling. Instead of presenting fewer resources as a calamity, try to present it as a timely option. In our newer work universes, things are often pared down. Perhaps your new approach is one of minimalism or a bare bones approach. Or maybe you’re trying to work to create a more streamlined process and that might mean eliminating the excess that makes days more crowded and less productive. And have fun with the announcements if at all possible. Let your team know that you’re going to cut monthly meetings down and increase coffee breaks. In that way you’re rewarding them for integrating this new approach.
  2. Choose multi-tasking tools/and become more collaborative
    Remember when Zoom and Slack were simply descriptors and not part of our everyday life? Well, our frequently distanced work environments mean that many on our teams will continue to work remotely for a while. And that’s a good thing if you’re going through a time when you have fewer resources.This would be a great time to introduce new tools to your team. In this way you allow everyone to stay in touch and continue to feel the connectivity even as the daily resources might otherwise have dwindled. We’ve heard from people who connect with colleagues over short Loom video trainings or who find different ways to collaborate on projects on Asana.And if you want to find ways to reward your staff, try to create modified versions instead of the over the top ones. Maybe your team had epic cocktail parties each month. While people seem to have tired of Zoom cocktail parties, what if you sent team members a gift of a mixology lesson or flower arranging course or something that allows all of you to meet in a way that seems luxurious but might actually cost a fraction of an in-person event

    In this way you remind your team how important they are to you while cutting costs and creatively reinforcing just how important they are to the continued success of your company.

  3. Turn it into a team-building experience:
    One of the more frustrating elements of working within a team utilizing fewer resources is the feeling of helplessness. Added to that is the panic that having less means fewer jobs are the next logical step and that your own position is suddenly precarious.

 

If you’re charged with figuring out how to do your best with less, try to incorporate team members to help you figure it all out. “Try to make it collaborative,” suggests Andres Lares, Managing partner at Shapiro Negotiations Institute. “If there are aspects of the decision (fewer resources) that haven’t been made, try to include employees – small groups, survey for all, etc. and allow them to voice their opinion.” Lares, who’s also co-author of Persuade:The 4-Step Process to Influence People and Decisions which will be out in July, said by doing so “ This not only will help to end up with a better result, it will also make them more committed since they had a say in the process, decision, communication, etc.”

Adding to that idea, there might be elements that you think are crucial that your team members might never use. Maybe it’s a license for a product that no one ever bothered to figure out, or even an incentive that’s wholly disinteresting. By working with your team you also empower them to decide on their priorities and thereby make it a collective decision to cut down.

And if anyone grumbles, try to build credibility. Lares advises making sure that you “communicate that you have actually have their best interest in mind. This will make the change – especially if it’s a loss – more palatable.”

 

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

How to train new staff to best use employee safety technology

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The hospitality industry is undergoing a lot of exciting changes as the  panic button legislation continues to roll out nationally. But along with the relief at having better protections for distanced staffers, come new challenges as well. After all, what good are these new panic buttons if your staff isn’t completely clear on best uses and practices? More than that, if your employees aren’t used to relying on technology on a daily basis, how can they be expected to automatically adapt to the idea of potentially using panic buttons as part of their daily routines?

Set training goals:

Before you move forward with training your staff create measurable and actionable goals to be shared as needed. Before your next meeting on the subject, try to address at least some of the following questions:

12 questions to cover before your staff trainings:

  1. How much time do you plan on allocating to creation of employee safety training?
  2. Will these be in-person training sessions, digital training or recorded sessions?
  3. How many languages will you offer training in?
  4. Who poses the greatest potential threat to employee safety?
  5. How will you know if the training is successful?
  6. Will you offer refresher courses at any point in the future?
  7. How often will staff panic buttons be tested?
  8. Will you offer actual drills to test out the new devices?
  9.  Will you offer tiered learning programs, or will all staff members learn at the same time on the same level?
  10. How will you address any glitches in your response time?
  11. How will you keep a record of the times panic buttons are deployed?
  12. Will you have local law enforcement involved in the training process?

Digital natives vs. less tech adept counterparts

Another potential glitch in the process depends on the age of your staff or at the least their comfort level in using technology. While digital natives might think of panic buttons as just another expected update in their work life, staffers who are newer to tech might have a hard time getting used to these new devices.

 

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are compliant, affordable, and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

 

Learning from students

The Afterschool Tech Toolkit is an online resource for empowering students and training them on how to access and use tech outside of the classroom.They created some training modules to help individuals and companies learn to train and support staff in the use of technology. While the module was theoretically geared toward students, it also offers very common sense wisdom and understanding including the idea of “building staff comfort and confidence” in using new technology.

Before distributing panic buttons to your staff, you can come up with informal training sessions or methods to increase ease of use.

  • Increase their comfort level: Is there a way you can work with your own staff to build their comfort level in always keeping their panic buttons close at hand? What about easy to remember tricks to deploying the button only in an emergency? If you present the devices with confidence and build in the opportunity for initial glitches, you reassure your staff that it’s an ongoing process and that you’re all learning as you go.
  • Make it fun if possible: Another challenge posed in the student training module was realizing that “It may feel exhausting for staff to focus on both their day-to-day responsibilities and learning new skills, apps, devices, and systems.” Is there a way to make the training more fun, or to gamify the process? It might sound weird, but timing the response of others or creating an informal marathon with actual prizes awarded might reinforce staffers to the value of learning how to properly use their new panic buttons.
  • Explain the added benefits: The 2017 National Education Technology Plan raised an interesting idea of upskilling those you’re educating. If you are able to impart the message to your staff that by undergoing training they are simultaneously improving their safety while upgrading their own skillset, the training in itself becomes something worth paying attention to. Take it a step further, can you create some sort of interior documentation that has necessary steps completed along with a certificate of completion? While your informal certification is mostly decorative, it also gives employees a feeling of accomplishment along with a document to refer back to if needed.
  • Acknowledge that lone workers might need completely different training: Lone worker safety is an issue that is often addressed in other industries, but that doesn’t mean the lessons aren’t universal for hotel or casino staff as well. Back in 2014, the site org — which deals with the spectrum of worker safety issues— explained some of the risks lone employees face that might not be automatically obvious to the rest of staffers or management. From working off-hours to dealing with medical conditions while somewhat isolated, lone workers including housekeeping staff have special needs that should be addressed thoughtfully in training as well.

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

 

Legal disclaimer: While we hope the content we provide is interesting and informative, it in no way is meant to be used as a substitute for legal counsel. All content on the blog section of this website is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete or up to date. None of the information provided is intended to be used in place of advice or consultation with legal or law enforcement professional.

Inside Illinois State’s Panic Button Legislation

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We recently shared the results of a survey we conducted about the state of panic button adoption and buying motivation. We also released a state-by-state guide and infographic to give those in the hospitality industry a clear idea of what they can expect as the rollout continues and panic buttons become mandatory for employees.

Since the legislation differs in each state, we’re going to highlight a few key regions and share data that might clarify the process. Please note that we are providing this documentation and these articles for informational and educational purposes only and these should not be substituted for legal requirements. If you require clarification on your legal responsibilities, you should seek it from a qualified attorney in your state.

 

How the Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act affects Illinois hospitality businesses:

While Illinois legislation originally suggested July 2020 as the initial rollout for the requirement of panic buttons in all hotels, due to the pandemic the deadline was switched to March 1st, 2021. Despite that deadline having passed, many hotels are still in the process of sourcing affordable panic button solutions to fit their pandemic strained budgets. If your hotel or casino is located in the state of Illinois, here are some top issues you need to know about panic buttons for your staff:

  1. The panic button, safety device or notification device must be provided by the hotel or casino at no cost to the employee.
  2. Hotel and casino employers must “develop, maintain and comply with a written anti-sexual harassment policy to protect employees against sexual assault and sexual harassment by guests.” This document should be written in English, Spanish and the primary languages spoken by the majority of staff. A current copy of the policy also has to be provided to all employees and posted publicly in well-trafficked areas. The complaint process should be easy to understand and follow.
  3. Workers are also protected from retaliation as a result of using their panic buttons since in Illinois it is also illegal “for an employer to retaliate against any employee who reasonably uses a safety device or notification device.”
  4. Illinois has a long history of workplace protection. The new Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act actually builds off of (and references) the Human Rights Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to provide additional protections against sexual harassment in the workplace.

 

The Relay difference:

If you’re ready to set up your own network of panic buttons, look no further than Relay. Our products are compliant, affordable, and efficient. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and our products offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

While the Illinois act is less detailed than those of some other states, the underlying commitment to distanced worker safety is clear. By providing staff with panic buttons and other communications devices, they no longer feel as isolated even when working in more remote locations. By creating policies and distributing them widely, staff understands that hotel and casino management take both their safety and concerns extremely seriously. One crucial issue covered in the Illinois panic button legislation is that retaliatory actions are illegal.

 

Panic button 101 in Illinois State:

  • It’s not only hotel housekeeping staff mentioned. The Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act mentions casinos, casino employers, riverboats, guests and more.
  • Sexual harassment gets specific. Just in case it isn’t clear what constitutes harassments, the bill specifies that “Sexual harassment” means “any harassment or discrimination on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived sex or gender, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.”
  • Violations should be reported. Section 5-20 of the act details how employees may bring an action in writing if they feel the hotel or casino is in violation of this act. So, say for instance, hotel management only purchases limited panic buttons or attempts to charge employees for them, this violates the act meant to protect staff.
  • Hotels have 15 calendar days to clear up these violations. Worth noting that not complying with panic button laws can be pricey. Each day that a violation continues constitutes a separate violation. Each violation may receive economic damages of up to $350.00. That means that a single violation could rack up $3,250.00 in damages making it a lot cheaper to simply purchase panic buttons and outfit your staff accordingly.

One last thing: Despite being in the headlines often right now, panic button legislation in the state of Illinois has been on the radar for years.

According to the Chicago City website, back in 2017, the city council passed the Hotel Workers Sexual Harassment Ordinance to provide what were then referred to as “new protections for hotel workers” from sexual harassment.

In what now sounds familiar to most and a variation of current panic button laws, the ordinance introduced by Ald. Michelle Harris required hotels “to comply with three major duties: 1) provide panic buttons or similar notification devices to employees who have to enter guest rooms or restrooms alone, 2) develop, maintain, and comply with anti-sexual harassment policies, and 3) provide all employees with a copy of the policy and post it in conspicuous places within the hotel.” In other words, the current laws should already have been in place in Chicago hotels, they now simply became law for the rest of Illinois.

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

2021 Hotelier’s Guide to Panic Legislation

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The current state of panic button mandates and deadlines can be a confusing subject to digest. Our team has combed over the bills, deadlines and simplified everything for you in this free, downloadable PDF.

In addition to looming deadlines, you’ll learn how Relay can help you take a requirement and turn it into an operational and financial advantage.

Please complete the form below for instant access to the 2021 Hotelier’s Guide to Panic Legislation

Don’t panic! Here’s the state of panic, by the numbers

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We recently conducted a survey with 250 hotel leaders to better understand the state of panic button adoption and what motivates the decision to purchase.

We found that there’s still a knowledge gap around panic buttons and panic button requirements, but there is a high level of compliance to the legislative mandates. This compliance is the driving motivation for implementation, but most operators claim they would pursue a panic solution regardless. We also discovered that the majority of operators would rather spend more on a more capable solution – and would prefer to have two-way communication as an additional feature subset.

Please complete the form below for instant access to the FREE Infographic

The Best Kept Secrets of Luxury Resort Operations

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While the travel and hospitality industries all but ground to a halt last year, there are promising signs of life and new growth potential. With news of the COVID vaccine came a resurgence in both the travel and hospitality sectors. Along with that came the predictions of what we can expect next. People used to traveling for business or pleasure seem starved for vacations as a means of escaping their work from home/live from home combo. Add to that those used to being pampered while they travel, and there are many exciting predictions for the year(s) ahead in luxury travel.

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What’s next in luxury resort travel?​

Last fall HTF Market Intelligence released a robust industry report focusing on the luxury resort market. The information shared and data predictions laser-focused on everything from the different types of luxury resorts, which include: seaside resort, forest resort, hot spring resort, water view resort, and mountain rock valley resort. There’s also a breakdown of the types of products offered by luxury resorts, including tourist resorts, casino resorts, small luxury resorts, villa resorts, and theme resorts. The global luxury resort market also focused on some of the industry heavy hitters, including Kerzner International Resorts and ITC Hotels Limited, Hyatt Hotels, Marriott International, Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, Four Seasons Holdings Inc., Mandarin Oriental International Limited, Shangri-La International Hotel Management Ltd. & Jumeirah International LLC.

We analyzed some of these top brands and asked industry experts for their thoughts on some of the best-kept secrets of luxury resort operation. More than that, we distilled some universal messaging and themes from these industry titans to inspire you in your own hospitality business.

Luxury goes digital: “Luxury resorts are elevating themselves by going as digital as possible,” shared Cynika Drake, President, Lavish Lifestyles Concierge. Drake explained that this includes everything from digital check-in or checkout via the hotel’s app to “allowing guests to communicate with hotel staff without touching the phone in the room or in-person contact.” Other extras include the ability to “adjust room temperature remotely from the front desk, again limiting guest interaction.” And, of course, many of us are already fans of keyless room entry or wristbands that act as a room key.

Elevated amenities: Drake also said that “some top resorts are even offering guests transfers via private planes.” More than that, “Many resorts are spreading bookings out and alerting guests of this new safety measure.” And they’re adding another layer of care. According to Drake, some luxury hotels allow 48-72 hours between guests to ensure thorough cleaning and sanitizing. And resorts in the Caribbean on islands such as St Lucia and St Maarten” are no longer allowing non-guests to dine at their restaurants.” Drake believes these actions are meant to keep both staff and guests safe. “This also allows effective contact tracing, should an outbreak happen on property.”​

COVID compliance: And, of course, we have to be realistic. While waiting for travel restrictions to be fully lifted, we still all have to be vigilant, and to that end, many luxury resorts are adding in testing options. “Many resorts and hotels now are offering onsite complimentary Covid PCR testing for guests,” Drake said. And even when not complimentary, she noted that fees range between $150-$250 USD. “Either option offers travelers peace of mind versus having to find a medical facility (in a country) they are not familiar with.”​

Widely available panic buttons: While we all wait for the new mandates to be fully integrated, many top luxury resorts have already outfitted their staff with panic buttons. “I think the panic button for employees working in isolated areas of a hotel and even housekeeping in guest rooms is necessary for employee’s safety,” Drake said. “You are interfacing with the public,” she added, and “we always advise our clients to err on the side of caution.”

At Relay, we’re proud that our devices connect workers and empower them through the use of a panic button and a completely connected cellular network. Contact us to find out how to empower your staff through connectivity with a device that alerts anyone to potential danger.

Not one-size-fits-all: On the Kerzner website, the brand is described as “A leading global developer and operator of destination resorts, ultra-luxury hotels and residences and innovative entertainment and gaming experiences, we operate three distinctive brands.” The Kerzner group understands that not all luxury travelers are the same and creates 3-branded experiences to provide the best experience no matter your preference.

Continually innovating: On his bio on Kerzner International, Philippe Zuber, Chief Executive Officer of Kerzner, is described as someone who “builds continuous guest innovation to fulfill the company’s core vision of creating amazing experiences and everlasting memories for each and every guest.” Our takeaway from this was that no matter how many awards the brands receive and no matter how many individual raves a destination is known for, they still keep evolving to create memorable experiences on an individual basis.

Treat your guests like royalty: On the Marriott International website, they offer a hint to the purpose of aspirational luxury travel, “You don’t have to be a movie star or a mogul to feel like one.” The brand takes it a step further, adding, “No matter what your definition of ‘luxury’ is, from theaters to beaches, sun and surf to sophistication, there’s a Marriott destination for you.” Luxury travelers are diverse, and Marriott understands that every guest wants an experience that elevates their every day to something almost magical.

They let you live the dream (and take it home with you): In addition to luxury resorts, luxury branded residences create the pampered life at home and during extended business travel. An article on Bloomberg.com in 2019 explained the way that luxury branded residences manage to meld “the perks that come from being intimately affiliated with names that cater to the wealthy.” Four Seasons Holdings Inc. was one of the industry innovators opening private residences in Boston back in 1985. Can’t afford one of these posh residences? Well, you can at least take Four Seasons magazine home with you and dream/drool a little. Want to share the experience with someone you love? Posh hotels often create a branded product for the holidays. The Kiss Bomb from Boxwood Restaurant at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills is a decadent dessert made up of strawberry meringue kisses, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a rose chocolate sphere filled with treats. For only $18.00 plus shipping, the hotel manages to share the luxury resort experience deliciously.

5 Reasons Your Team Needs Panic Buttons

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In early 2020, dating app Tinder made headlines when they announced that they were adding a panic button feature. CNN Business reported that while it wasn’t an actual physical panic button, the app had newly added functionality that would alert authorities if someone ran into danger on a date. There was also the ability to check in and let friends know where the date was at any given time. Critics of Tinder’s virtual panic button wondered why instead of creating safer matches overall, instead of adding what felt to some to be a patch instead of an actual fix. ​

In the real world, life sometimes gets bumpy, and that’s when physical panic buttons become a necessity instead of something optional. If you’ve been debating whether or not to outfit your team with panic buttons, we’d like to share five reasons why it’s a really good idea.

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1. To give your staff a sense of security:

One of the best parts of being part of a team is realizing that for better or worse, you can count on others to tell you how to do your job, well, that’s probably the part that might be classified as worse. The better part of working as part of a team is that others help you to do your job and also look out for you. It also means that if one staff member has to head to a remote area of the building, they’ll probably want a fellow team member to be aware of their location. Some people feel uncomfortable continually checking in with fellow staffers every time they head out of the immediately shared work space. Outfitting all staff members with panic buttons allows them to have both a sense of autonomy and security. After all, a dark and deserted hallway feels a lot less intimidating if help is a push of the button away.

Don’t panic tip: Instead of causing your staff to worry about potentially sketchy areas at work, first gather senior staff to do a top-down analysis of areas or situations that could cause potential issues for staffers.

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2. Because your team never met in person:

In an article on ComputerWeekly.com about security issues we might collectively face in 2021, experts discussed how remote working could potentially create a surge in cyber attacks. In that feature, Igor Andriushchenko, director of quality and security for engineering at Snow Software, said, “People have not ever met many of their colleagues who joined companies in 2020 due to the shift towards remote work.” That was an aha moment for us. With ever-evolving staffs and team members, it’s crucial to create a consistent sense of security. Ensuring that every single staff member has a panic button means that they won’t have to wonder if that person in the shadows is a colleague or someone sketchy. And their panic button gives them a sense of security if they feel unsafe in any given situation.

Don’t panic tip: Even if your staff won’t work face-to-face, create an internal database with visuals including everyone’s name along with a recent photograph.

Related: Top 5 Things Your Hotel Pnic Button Must Have

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3. You could potentially save money on insurance:

In recent years, home insurance companies have started reducing premiums for people whose homes have specific smart devices. For instance, Fox Business reported that having a wireless security system with video doorbells combined with monitoring services created a safe home. They also let your insurance company know that you were protecting your space against theft or home invasion. If you outfit your team with panic buttons, you’re creating a safer, more accountable work environment. You should probably also check with your insurance company if that also means that you’re entitled to a discount or added incentives.

Don’t panic tip: Ask your accountant to review current insurance costs and to compare to see if other services offer lower rates for companies using panic buttons.

Related: Businesses Are Increasingly Providing Personal Panic Buttons to Employees

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4. You could be sending the right message:

For the past year or so, New York bodega owners have been pressing city officials to pass a bill that would reimburse bodega owners for panic buttons. An article on MSN reported that owners of small groceries would feel safer knowing they could immediately communicate with law enforcement officials or family members if the worst happened. By creating an instant communications strategy for you and your team, you’re already informing them that you take their safety above all. It’s also a good way of allowing even a casual observer to immediately know that by wearing a panic button at all times, even a staffer who appears isolated is connected to a larger team and potentially to law enforcement officials. Before deciding on your approach, though, it might be wise to have a discussion with local law enforcement officials about expected protocol, since the article also stated that police would prefer to know what they might be walking into in case of an emergency.

Don’t panic tip: Pay attention to trends in both your neighborhood and industry before making a major decision or investment.

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5. You believe in customer service above all:

This one might sound slightly counterintuitive; after all, how can having a staffer wear a panic button show customers how much they’re valued? The answer is two-fold. By having a distraction-free communication device, you’re allowing your employees to have an undistracted connection with your customers. There’s no phone just out of view, distracting them during their workday, and your employees aren’t spending most of the day swiping instead of working. In our first point, we mentioned that giving every staff member a panic button also gave them a sense of security. Your staff can better concentrate on the customers in front of them or tasks at hand. Knowing that help is a button press away allows them to do the best job possible and keep customers happy without distraction. ​

Don’t panic tip: Remember to train staff on best practices for using panic buttons. Hold test drills regularly to reassure staff response rates.

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The Relay difference:

If you’re looking for a solution that’s compliant, affordable and efficient, you’ve come to the right place. Relay is an easy to deploy, flexible panic button. Best yet, it’s also an elevated communications solution, so you’re combining two critical line items into one (with better value). With Relay, you save money, setup is nonexistent, and you offer hotel staff a practical, easy solution.

Next Level Communication Devices: A Talk With Relay

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Relay’s Director of Product, Ibraheem Khalifa, joins IoT All The Things to talk about next generation walkie-talkies and how they work with Wifi and LTE, and bring voice interfaces and instant communication everywhere.

 

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