Tag Archives: Hotel Employees

by | July 24, 2010 · 10:19 am

Hotel Industry Health Insurance: Nevada Hotel Operator To Subsidize Medical Insurance For Part-Time Employees In Effort To Reduce Turnover

“We recognize the importance of medical insurance for our team members and their families,” Gordon R. Kanofsky, Ameristar’s chief executive officer, said in a written statement. “This is another way we can show team members we appreciate their commitment to delivering outstanding service to our guests.”

Ameristar Casinos, Inc. said Thursday it will begin subsidizing medical coverage for part-time employees after researching methods for reducing part-time employee turnover.

The company, which owns and operates Cactus Petes Resort Casino and the Horseshu Hotel & Casino in Jackpot, Nev., will pay one-half of the premiums for part-time employees working less than 30 hours per week and their dependents.

“We recognize the importance of medical insurance for our team members and their families,” Gordon R. Kanofsky, Ameristar’s chief executive officer, said in a written statement. “This is another way we can show team members we appreciate their commitment to delivering outstanding service to our guests.”

Ameristar hosted focus groups with part-time employees to gauge how effective the program will be, officials said. Employee feedback led to Ameristar’s decision to make the care plan available to all part-time team members.

For more:  http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=209821

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by | July 23, 2010 · 5:53 am

Hospitality Industry Employees Risks: Hawaiian Hotels Violated State Law When Service Employees Not Given 100% Of Service Charges For Food And Beverage Service

“…The suit, filed by Turtle Bay employees in January 2009, claimed the resort violated a state law enacted in 2000 that requires hotels and restaurants to give 100% of service charges for food or beverage service entirely to employees – unless they tell customers that management’s keeping a portion, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser says…”

Employees of the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s scenic North Shore won a $526,000 settlement  in a lawsuit over tips that had been split among workers and the company without customers knowing.

At least nine similar suits have been filed over the last two years against major Hawaii hotels, Brandee Faria – the Turtle Bay employees’ lawyer – tells the Star-Advertiser. And it’s not only the employees who are hiring lawyers.

Some of the suits were filed on behalf of hotel customers who thought they’d paid tips to staffers – not hotel management.

In a case against the Four Seasons hotels on Maui and the Big Island, the Star-Advertiser says that Hawaii Supreme Court in March ruled that hotel and restaurant employees may sue under the law.

The Turtle Bay settlement covers 130 employees who worked at the hotel between 2005 and 2009; the amount would mean $4,046 per employee if the settlement was shared equally, the story says. Settlement checks were mailed out recently.

For more: http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2010/07/hawaii-hotel-workers-win-526000-settlement-in-back-tips/100924/1

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by | July 17, 2010 · 10:40 am

Hotel Industry Employee Risk Management: Hotel Ownership Must Insure Compliance With State Laws Regarding “Service Charges” Being Withheld Illegally From Service Staff Which Can Result In “Triple Damages” Being Awarded

“…the case involved a portion of service charges — which are added onto bills at the end of banquets, weddings and large events — being withheld from servers, and all hotel and restaurant staff working at least eight-hour shifts were having 30-minute meal breaks deducted from their paychecks even though they weren’t receiving them.”

“What we alleged in this case was a portion of [the service charge] was going to managers, the sales department, and others who aren’t permitted under law to dip into this money intended for waitstaff,” he said.

“…state law ordering food establishments found to be withholding wages and tips to pay employees up to three times as much as they’re owed…”

The Orchards Hotel has agreed to a $240,000 proposed settlement in a class action lawsuit involving approximately 150 current and former hourly employees.

With state law ordering food establishments found to be withholding wages and tips to pay employees up to three times as much as they’re owed, the employees at The Orchards will receive between two and three times what they were owed in wages and tips, Holtzman said.

“The settlement is not only the recovery each employee is owed, but a multiple of what is owed,” he said.

For more:   http://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_15528594

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