Tag Archives: Employee

Hospitality Industry Risk Management Update: “Employee Theft – Protecting More Than Property”

While hoteliers can take strong steps to reduce employee theft, eliminating it entirely is likely an impossibility.employeetheft The best loss prevention involves good procedures for hiring, training and supervision of employees. And by following a few best practices, employers can limit the potential liability for claims related to employee theft situations and diminish the potential for the insult of an expensive lawsuit on top of the injury of employee theft.

The problem of employee theft in hotels is an age-old problem. Businesses lose billion of dollars each year in employee theft. And hotels, by nature, present numerous opportunities for employee theft from guests and the house. Theft in a hotel can take many forms – from identity theft to credit card fraud to theft of merchandise and guest property. No employer hires an employee thinking that the employee is someday going to steal. Hotels need to take steps to prevent theft and be cautious in taking action against an employee after a suspected theft. Both have practice and legal implications.

Prevention in All Forms

Take a thorough look at your hotel’s security measures and processes. Ensure that your guest room locking systems and room safes meet general industry standards. Review, implement or update employee policies related to 1) package passes to control removal of property from the hotel, 2) lost and found procedures, which should be strictly enforced and 3) guest room access by employees. Consider an audit by a security expert to review your security procedures and protocols – in action.

For more: http://bit.ly/17ySjZz

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Filed under Crime, Employee Practices, Hotel Employees, Hotel Industry, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Training

Hospitality Industry Employment Issues: Management Must Have An “Interactive ADA Compliance Process” To Insure “Reasonable Accomodation” Of Employee Disabilities; Conduct “Brainstorming Meetings” To Enable Continued Performance Of Job Duties

“…the interactive process is the name given to the process that an employer utilizes in order to determine the appropriate reasonable accommodation that Americans wih disabilities actwill enable an employee with a disability to perform the essential functions of the position…”

“A primary goal (is a) meeting to determine what problems the employee is having in performing their job tasks because of a disability. This entails soliciting ideas from the employee about what you could provide that would enable the employee to perform his or her job duties…”

If the supervisor who is asked for an accommodation can easily provide one, then he or she should do so as soon as possible. However, to establish that you have engaged in good faith in the interactive process, best practice is to schedule a meeting with the employee, the employee’s supervisor and someone from HR.  In addition to soliciting ideas, you may also suggest solutions. The purpose of this brainstorming meeting is to come away with suggestions to enable the employee to continue working. A couple of suggestions:

  • If the employee has a work-related injury, consider involving your workers’ compensation carrier to determine whether there are any monies from your state workers’ compensation division to assist you in making workplace modifications. In Oregon, such funds may be available through the employer at injury program.
  • If you are not sure of an accommodation, consider calling in an expert. This can be accomplished through a phone call to the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), or you can locate a vocational rehabilitation specialist to assist.
  • If you do consult an outside resource, like JAN, be careful about ensuring confidentiality. Do not disclose the employee’s name and identifying information.
  • Keep an open mind.
  • In choosing the accommodation, it is a good idea to understand the employee’s preference, but the employee does not get to choose the accommodation – the employer does. The law requires only that the accommodation be reasonable. Eliminating the requirement to perform an essential job function is not a reasonable accommodation. The employee must still be able to perform the essential job function with an accommodation. Examples of reasonable accommodations include:
    • Job restructuring
    • Equipment (i.e., sit stand desks, lifting mechanisms, carts, new chairs, modified work stations, etc…)
    • Leave of absence
    • Change in work schedule
    • Job reassignment to an available and suitable job
    • Modified workplace policies

For more:  http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=601d48c8-025b-482a-abf9-4f56bd75c350

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Filed under Employment Practices Liability, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Training

Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: Wisconsin Hotel Guest Reports Over $14,000 In Cash And Jewelry Stolen After Employee Talked Into Giving Room Key Out

“…A woman stole $9,400 worth of jewelry and $5,000 cash from a North Side hotel room after convincing the clerk to give her a key…”

“…She told the front desk employee about 1 a.m. Aug. 28 she needed to retrieve something from the room. She allowed the clerk to speak on the phone with a man who gave her permission to enter the room…”

The woman claimed to be the girlfriend of the man who rented a room at the Econo Lodge, 1906 Rose St.

The man who rented the room said he didn’t give anyone authorization. He discovered the cash along with a $3,000 diamond ring, $2,500 watch and $3,900 diamond medallion gone, reports stated.

For more: http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_1f02751a-d89e-11e0-bb0d-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1XDG1LiFR

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Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Theft