Creating a Safe Haven: Combating Bullying in the Hospitality Industry

Bullying in the workplace is a pervasive issue that can significantly impact employee well-being, guest satisfaction, and the overall atmosphere of hospitality environments. In the fast-paced world of hotels, where teamwork and cooperation are essential, it’s vital to address bullying and create a safe haven for all employees.

Understanding Bullying in Hospitality

Bullying can take many forms, including verbal harassment, intimidation, and discrimination among staff or from guests toward employees. Such behavior not only harms individuals but can also lead to decreased job satisfaction, higher turnover rates, and a toxic work environment. Understanding the signs of bullying is the first step in combating it.

Creating a Culture of Respect

Establishing a culture of respect starts with implementing clear anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies. These should outline reporting procedures, define unacceptable behaviors, and specify consequences for those who violate the rules. Regular training sessions are essential to ensure all employees recognize bullying behaviors and understand their roles in fostering a respectful workplace.

Crime Prevention Strategies

It’s important to acknowledge that bullying can escalate into more serious offenses, including theft and violence. By implementing safety protocols, hotel staff can protect themselves and guests. This includes regular monitoring of guest interactions, clear reporting channels for suspicious behavior, and training on conflict resolution.

Empowering Bystanders

Bystanders play a crucial role in preventing and addressing bullying. Employees should be encouraged to take action when they witness inappropriate behavior. This can involve direct intervention—if safe—or reporting the incident to a supervisor. Supporting victims is equally important; a simple act of kindness can make a significant difference in someone’s experience.

Building a Supportive Work Environment

Creating an environment of open communication is essential. Employees should feel comfortable discussing their concerns without fear of retaliation. Establishing peer support programs or mentorship opportunities can foster a sense of community, helping employees feel valued and heard.

Real-Life Examples and Success Stories

Hotels that have successfully addressed bullying often see positive changes in their work culture. For example, implementing an anonymous reporting system led one hotel to decrease incidents of harassment significantly. Learning from these successes can help other establishments adopt similar strategies.

Resources and Support

Employees facing bullying should know they have access to support. Human Resources, hotlines, and counseling services can provide the help needed. Furthermore, continuous education through books, articles, and training programs on bullying prevention can empower staff.

Creating a safe haven in the hospitality industry is a shared responsibility. Hotel employees and management must take proactive steps to foster a supportive environment where bullying is not tolerated. By embracing kindness, respect, and community, we can create a workplace that not only enhances employee well-being but also enriches the guest experience.

Should you or your co-workers witness any bullying type of behavior, please report it to your supervisor and/or to your P&C Team so it can be addressed. Your psychological safety is just as important to us as your physical and mental wellbeing.

How to Effectively Monitor Guest Balances Using HotelKey

You can review the Guest Balance Activity Report daily to track any outstanding balances. To do this effectively, export the report as an Excel spreadsheet and focus on two key columns:

• Column M – "Today's Balances": If the guest has a credit in this column, their charges for the day have been paid.

• Column N – "Full Stay Balances": Ensure the guest has sufficient funds for their entire stay. The balance should show $0.00 or a credit depending on the length of their reservation.

To access the report, follow this path: Reports > Reservations > Guest Balance Activity, or simply search by typing the report name in the search bar.

For example, Joyce Sal has a credit of ($297.64) for Today’s Balance.  However, Joyce Sal owes $26.08 based on the length of stay.

Translating Content in BizLibrary

Here are instructions for using translation when watching video content in BizLibrary.  You will need to use Google Chrome for this feature.

1.         Begin playing the video content.

2.         In the upper right corner, select the icon for Control your music, videos and more.

3.         Toggle on Live Caption – English and then toggle Live Translate.  Use the drop-down arrow to select the type of language you want the audio to be translated too.  You will see a window appear at the bottom of the screen displaying the translation.