Tag Archives: Hotel Employees

by | November 14, 2011 · 6:44 am

Hospitality Inudustry Employment Risks: Woman At Florida Staffing Company Convicted Of "Alien Smuggling And Worker Visa Fraud" In Supplying Workers To Hotels

 “…a large temporary labor staffing company based in Orlando, which supplied temporary labor to numerous businesses in the hotel and hospitality industries throughout Florida and the United States…”

“… They also submitted fake hotel contract agreements to conceal their activities and falsely reported that U.S. workers had been hired when they had not…”

A federal jury found a Brazilian woman residing in Orlando guilty of alien smuggling and conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and worker visa fraud on Monday, following an investigation that began with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Rafaela Dutra Toro, 30, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. She was indicted on Jan. 26. Her sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

 “The individuals involved in this case orchestrated a very large and very complex visa fraud ring. They took jobs away from U.S. citizens and others who are legally allowed to work in this country by knowingly employing people who were not authorized to work in the United States,” said Susan McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI in Tampa. “Through cases like this one, HSI is helping to protect our economy and preserve job opportunities from being lost due to fraud.”

Toro is a citizen of Brazil and will be subject to removal from the United States after serving her sentence. According to evidence presented at trial, Toro worked for VR Services, a large temporary labor staffing company based in Orlando, which supplied temporary labor to numerous businesses in the hotel and hospitality industries throughout Florida and the United States. The scheme allowed Toro and her co-conspirators to set up a permanent foreign labor pool that hired illegal alien workers across the United States in jobs that would normally have been filled by United States citizens. As part of the conspiracy, Toro and her co-conspirators submitted false documentation to the government and manipulated the H-2B foreign worker visa process. They also submitted fake hotel contract agreements to conceal their activities and falsely reported that U.S. workers had been hired when they had not.

For more:  http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=443603&CategoryId=14090

Comments Off on Hospitality Inudustry Employment Risks: Woman At Florida Staffing Company Convicted Of "Alien Smuggling And Worker Visa Fraud" In Supplying Workers To Hotels

Filed under Crime, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Training

Tagged as , , , ,

by | November 13, 2011 · 8:49 am

Hospitality Inudustry Employement Risks: California Hotel Chain Settles Discrimination Lawsuit With U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Over Firing Employee With Autism

“…The EEOC’s suit accused the companies of failing to make a reasonable accommodation for the clerk’s disability, discrimination and wrongful termination...”

According to the terms of the settlement, the former clerk will receive $125,000, while San Diego-based Partnership with Industry—the non-profit employment support organization that sent the job coach—will receive $7,500.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has settled its discrimination lawsuit against a California-based hotel chain for allegedly firing a front desk clerk with autism, the agency announced on Monday.

The hotel chain, Comfort Suites and its parent company, Newport Beach, Calif.-based Tarsadia Hotels, have agreed to pay $132,500 and make several changes to its employment practices and operations, the EEOC said in a statement.

According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, filed in a Los Angeles federal court in September 2010, supervisors at the Comfort Suites Mission Valley Hotel in San Diego denied a former front desk clerk diagnosed with autism access to a job coach that “would have helped the clerk learn to master his job by using autism-specific training techniques,” as well as made repeated disparaging remarks about his condition.

After refusing on several occasions to allow the job coach into the hotel, the supervisors allegedly accused the clerk of mishandling a hotel guest’s packages and fired him.

For more:  http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20111108/NEWS05/111109871?tags=%7C338%7C309%7C75%7C305%7C339%7C303

Comments Off on Hospitality Inudustry Employement Risks: California Hotel Chain Settles Discrimination Lawsuit With U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Over Firing Employee With Autism

Filed under Insurance, Labor Issues, Management And Ownership, Risk Management

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | November 12, 2011 · 4:06 pm

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: New York Hotel Sued By Black Employee For Discrimination After "Racist Stunt"

“…A black midtown hotel cook says two co-workers inside of a year have dressed like the Ku Klux Klan and harassed him…(serving) the hotel and three employees with a $35 million discrimination lawsuit over an alleged racist stunt on Oct. 28, 2010…”

In an amended complaint, Jones says painter Ramon Pagan confronted him in the hotel basement wearing a “pure white cone-shaped article on his head.” Pagan said, “Hey, look at me. I am the Ku Klux Klan,” while a hotel manager witnessed the bizarre exchange, according to court papers filed in Manhattan Federal Court.

“[Pagan] laughed in my face and enjoyed what he was doing. And there was a manager right there looking at him and didn’t say a word.” “It was not a painter’s mask he was wearing, it was perfectly shaped like a cone,” he added.

Jones immediately reported what happened to hotel brass who reviewed a surveillance video which captured the scene. Phoebe Knowles, a vice president for the Roger Smith Hotel, said Friday that management acted decisively and canned Pagan. “The employee no longer works here,” Knowles said.

“We have a strict policy against any type of harassing actions, and we respond expeditiously when it comes to our attention.”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/black-midtown-hotel-cook-co-workers-dressed-ku-klux-klans-harassed-article-1.976420#ixzz1dXRLEHn1

2 Comments

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

Tagged as , , , ,

by | November 9, 2011 · 6:46 am

Hospitality Industry Security Risks: Las Vegas Hotel Housekeeper "Sexually Assaulted" In Hotel Room; Security And Surveillance Measures Had Been Cut And Scaled Back In Recent Years

“…In the 1990s and early 2000s, the hotel used to provide for a security guard at the employee parking lot. That position has been cut, the co-worker said…”

“…The number of security guards assigned to walk guest floors to monitor safety also has been scaled back over the years, said the employee, who suggested there should be at least one security guard at guest elevators to check identifications…”

A Las Vegas man accused of beating and raping a 65-year-old Strip hotel maid last week kept clothing in his home that may have been bloodied in the attack, police said.

According to his Las Vegas police arrest report, David Randell Ferren, 19, kept a bloody jacket, belt and condoms that may have been worn during the assault of a Bally’s hotel maid on the morning of Nov. 1.

The report alleges Ferren punched the maid in the face as she was entering a room on the 59th floor of Bally’s about 9:30 a.m. Security footage showed Ferren exiting an elevator on that floor shortly before the attack, police said.

In the arrest report, police said Ferren forced the maid into the room and raped her. The assault was interrupted after the occupant of the room entered. That woman told detectives she saw a naked man getting dressed as the maid fled the room, the report said.

Another maid saw the man using an emergency exit , the report said.

For more:  http://www.lvrj.com/news/suspect-in-strip-rape-kept-bloody-clothing-police-say-133403473.html

2 Comments

Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Injuries, Labor Issues, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Technology, Training

Tagged as , , , ,

by | November 7, 2011 · 6:46 am

Hospitality Industry Security Risks: California Hotel Front Desk Clerk Subdues Armed Robber With Help From Guests (Video)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRxmLBNgSiM&feature=player_embedded]

An armed robber got more than he bargained for after being tackled by two cage fighters who just happened to be staying at the hotel he was trying to hold-up. Gun-toting Luis Rosales definitely made the wrong move when he walked into the Comfort Inn hotel in LA’s Koreatown, pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded he fill a bag full of cash.

After handing over money from the till, the clerk noticed Rosales place the weapon in the bag along with the cash. He followed him out of the office, grabbed him from behind and screamed for help.

As Rosales, 31, struggled to break free the two fighters leapt into action with Denney grabbing the robber in a hold while Alvarez seized the gun. They then put him on the ground with a leg sweep and held him until police arrived.

Denney, 28, told the LA Times: ‘The manager eye-balled us and immediately started running after this guy saying “He’s got a gun, he’s got a gun, he’s got a gun, he just robbed me”.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2058483/Luis-Rosales-Armed-hotel-robber-meets-match-2-cage-fighters-video.html#ixzz1d1uJi0nU

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Security Risks: California Hotel Front Desk Clerk Subdues Armed Robber With Help From Guests (Video)

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

Tagged as , , , ,

by | October 17, 2011 · 1:22 pm

Hospitality Industry Employee Issues: Florida Hotel Enforces Dress Code And Fires Employee For Wearing "American Flag" Pin Risking Public Backlash

“…Hotel front-desk supervisor Sean May on Thursday was fired from an historic St. Augustine, Fla., hotel for wearing a lapel pin (an American Flag), which breaks the hotel’s “personal appearance” rules that bans the wearing badges and pins…’

But May wasn’t wearing just any pin: It’s an American flag pin, which is why the Casa Monica Hotel’s move is sparking controversy in quaint St. Augustine, Fla.

According to tonight’s story, the hotel’s response has angered many. “The dress code should include a lapel pin for everybody,” Bruce Whalen, who served in the Air Force, told the TV station.

“Anybody who takes a chance on his livelihood to take a stand for patriotism is a hero and should be treated like a hero,” Whalen said.

He’s now calling on friends to boycott the hotel and its parent company.

For more:  http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2011/10/florida-hotel-fires-employee-for-wearing-us-flag-pin/553847/1?csp=34travel&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hotelcheckincommunityfeed+%28Hotel+Check-in%3A+A+road+warrior%27s+guide+to+the+lodging+landscape+-+USATODAY.com%29

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Employee Issues: Florida Hotel Enforces Dress Code And Fires Employee For Wearing "American Flag" Pin Risking Public Backlash

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

Tagged as , , ,

by | October 11, 2011 · 10:22 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Application Risks: Video News Report Of South Carolina Hotel That Fired Employee After Police Inquired About "Identification Records"

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hGgQUS45LQ]

South Carolina Hotel fired an employee after 15 months when she could not produce required identification.

 

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Employee Application Risks: Video News Report Of South Carolina Hotel That Fired Employee After Police Inquired About "Identification Records"

Filed under Labor Issues, Liability, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Privacy, Risk Management, Training

Tagged as , , , ,

by | October 8, 2011 · 6:12 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Safety Risks: Complaints Filed With OSHA And EEOC Against Colorado Hotel For Firing Housekeeper After She "Complaied About Unsanitary Conditions"

“…A Denver woman says she was fired by Springhill Suites DIA because she complained about the unsanitary conditions at the hotel.“When I asked management to provide housekeepers on my cleaning crew with plastic gloves, I was told the gloves were too expensive,” said Dorothy Barrett-Wilson. “We were cleaning bathroom toilets and floors without gloves, something you don’t even do at home.”

The EEOC will investigate the charges of discrimination filed by Wilson, who says the hotel fired her when she made the complaint to OSHA.

Barrett-Wilson filed complaints with the Colorado Civil Rights Division and OSHA. The complaints also say the crew, which was mainly Hispanic and African, had no radio communication in case of emergencies on the floors.

Wilson also says the housekeepers were also being asked to clean 21 rooms a shift, when the norm is about 12 or 14. She also says workers had to handle dirty towels and linen, some of which had blood on them, with their bare hands.

For more:  http://www.kwgn.com/news/kdvr-feds-investigate-springhill-suites-dia-20111007,0,893504.story

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Employee Safety Risks: Complaints Filed With OSHA And EEOC Against Colorado Hotel For Firing Housekeeper After She "Complaied About Unsanitary Conditions"

Filed under Health, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management, Training

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | September 28, 2011 · 5:20 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Rising Health Insurance Premiums Force Hotel Management To Consider Shifting Costs Or Raise Deductibles

“…Employers are often forced to shift some of the cost to their employees in an effort to offset the increasing outlay. Organizations increased the employee portion of the premium at a rate of 54.3 percent, whereas 42 percent have increased deductible levels….”

 The 2011 Compensation Data Hospitality survey results show companies reported an average premium increase of 9.3 percent. More than 45 percent of respondents indicated they pay more than $9,600 annually for an employee plus family plan.

“The rising cost of insurance premiums is something that continues to be an issue for employers,” says Amy Kaminski, director of marketing for Compdata Surveys, the nation’s leading pay and benefits survey data provider. “To counteract these rising costs, organizations have to look in different directions in order to continue providing quality coverage for their employees.”

Premium costs remain high for hospitality employers, as 47.9 percent pay more than $7,200 for an employee-plus-spouse plan. Of survey respondents, 42 percent report paying more than $7,200 in premium costs for an employee-plus-children plan. Employee-only plans cost employers between $2,400 and $7,200 per year.

For more:  http://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/medical-insurance-rises-hospitality-industry

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Rising Health Insurance Premiums Force Hotel Management To Consider Shifting Costs Or Raise Deductibles

Filed under Health, Insurance, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management

Tagged as , , ,

by | September 1, 2011 · 5:27 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Utah Hotels Report Layoffs After U.S. Immigration And Customs Enforcement (ICE) Audits Find Insufficient "Validations To Work"

 “Responsible employers who seek to conduct their business lawfully are put at an unfair disadvantage as they try to compete with unscrupulous businesses. Such businesses gain a competitive edge by paying illegal alien workers low wages or otherwise exploiting them.”  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Some reports say 120 employees have been laid off at the Grand America Hotel after an audit report found several of their workers did not have current validation to work in the United States.

Hotel president Bruce Fery said in a statement Wednesday the Grand America is not alone and audits are being conducted statewide. He says that the employees that were found with invalid documentation had “presented facially valid documents when they were hired.”

The recent layoffs come as Utahns and local politicians are debating whether to allow undocumented workers to remain.

For more:  http://www.fox13now.com/news/local/kstu-grand-america-hotel-lays-off-workers-over-lack-of-work-documentation-20110831,0,3023635.story

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Utah Hotels Report Layoffs After U.S. Immigration And Customs Enforcement (ICE) Audits Find Insufficient "Validations To Work"

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

Tagged as , ,