Understanding and Addressing Unconscious Bias

Unconscious bias refers to the automatic and unintentional judgments or stereotypes we hold about people based on their race, gender, age, appearance, or other characteristics. In the hotel industry, these biases can affect hiring decisions, guest interactions, team dynamics, and overall workplace culture. Recognizing and addressing unconscious bias is essential for creating an inclusive environment where both employees and guests feel valued and respected.

Recognize the Presence of Unconscious Bias: 

The first step for hoteliers in addressing unconscious bias is acknowledging that it exists among all individuals, regardless of their background or intentions. Encourage staff to reflect on their own biases and consider how these may affect their interactions with guests and colleagues. Accepting the presence of unconscious bias is a vital step toward creating a more welcoming and inclusive hotel environment.

Implement Bias Awareness Training for Hotel Staff: 

Management should take the lead in conducting regular bias awareness training for all staff members. These sessions should educate employees about unconscious bias, its impact, and provide practical strategies to mitigate it. Training should include exercises that challenge assumptions and promote empathy, with a focus on hospitality-specific scenarios, such as guest interactions, team communication, and service delivery. By leading these sessions, management can set the tone for a culture of inclusivity and demonstrate a commitment to fostering a fair and respectful environment for both employees and guests.

Foster a Culture of Inclusion and Diverse Perspectives: 

Promote a culture that values diverse perspectives among hotel staff. Encourage open discussions and the sharing of different viewpoints and create opportunities for team members from various backgrounds to collaborate. This can lead to more creative solutions, improved guest experiences, and a stronger, more cohesive team. Highlight stories of diverse guests and team members to celebrate diversity and inclusivity within the hotel.

Review Hotel Policies and Practices: 

Regularly review hotel policies and procedures to ensure they are fair and do not unintentionally favor certain groups. This includes examining hiring practices, promotion criteria, guest interaction protocols, and marketing materials. Implementing standardized criteria and diverse hiring panels can help reduce bias in recruitment and evaluation, ensuring a fair and inclusive environment for both employees and guests.

Create a Culture of Accountability and Openness: 

Encourage a culture where hotel staff feel comfortable discussing bias and its impact without fear of judgment or repercussion. Promote open conversations about bias and create safe spaces for employees to voice concerns and share their experiences. This openness can lead to a more inclusive and respectful hotel environment, benefiting both staff and guests.

Measure Progress and Adjust Strategies: 

Regularly assess the effectiveness of bias-reduction efforts by gathering feedback from staff and guests and analyzing key metrics, such as diversity in hiring and guest satisfaction scores. Use this data to identify areas for improvement and adjust strategies to enhance inclusivity continuously.

By understanding and addressing unconscious bias, hoteliers can foster a welcoming environment for all guests, enhance employee satisfaction, and strengthen the hotel’s reputation for exceptional service.

To learn more about unconscious bias, please visit the links below.

Overcoming Unconscious Bias - BizLibrary LMS - Home

MARCOM's Unconscious Bias - BizLibrary LMS - Home

Procurement Update

Important Reminders from Procurement

• The September Procurement Update include reminders for New Linen Processing, Receiving Orders, and Pest Service Tracking. We have these processes in place for various reasons – they save money, save time, and create documentation for you and your team.

• The next Procurement Town Hall is Tomorrow, Thursday, September 19, at 1:00 pm EST.

  
  

Receiving Orders.pdf

Download PDF • 263KB

Why Use New Linen Cycle.pdf

Download PDF • 182KB

Pest Service Tracking Forms.xlsx

Download XLSX • 35KB

September is National Preparedness Month: Are You Ready for a Disaster?

National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and held annually in September, is a good reminder that natural and man-made disasters can strike at any time. It's important to have a planned response when you're at work, on vacation or on the road.

In 2022, 69,473 weather-related events resulted in 813 deaths and 1,718 injuries. Winter weather, heat, floods and hurricanes resulted in the most deaths that year, according to Injury Facts.

The National Safety Council offers safety tips specific on preparing for earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, and how to minimize fire risks.

Federal agencies, like Ready.gov and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also are valuable resources for emergency preparedness. When you face a natural or man-made emergency, try to stay informed through radio, TV or the Internet. In some cases, however, cable, electric and cell phone service will be disabled, making communication nearly impossible. The National Safety Council recommends the following general precautions that apply to many disaster situations:

• Make sure at least one family member knows first aid and CPR

• Download the FEMA app for resources, weather alerts and safety tips

• Have a family communication plan in place; all members of the family should review and practice the plan

• Have all family members' and other important phone numbers written down or memorized

• Have an emergency kit in your car and at least three days of food and water at home

• Be sure to store all important documents – birth certificates, insurance policies, etc. – in a fire-proof safe or safety deposit box

• Know how to shut off utilities

For more information and to read thru specific preparation for natural disasters such as: earthquake, flood. Hurricane, tornado, and fire. Please click the link below!  Be safe everyone!

https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/emergency-preparedness/emergency-preparedness-home