Miami-Beach-Moves-to-Protect-Hotel-and-Hostel-Employees-from-Sexual-Harassment-and-Assault
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, Tel: 305.673.7575 PRESS RELEASE
Tonya Daniels, E-mail: tonyadaniels@miamibeachfl.gov
Melissa Berthier, E-mail: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2018
City of Miami Beach Moves to Protect Hotel and Hostel Employees from
Sexual Harassment and Assault
— Requiring These Businesses to Equip Staff With a Safety Button—
Miami Beach, FL – For years, the hospitality industry in Miami Beach has been a profitable
and significant part of the City’s economy and character. As such, ensuring the protection and
welfare of these employees is a top priority to the City.
Today, the City Commission unanimously passed an ordinance that would arm hotel
housekeepers and other staff with safety buttons to swiftly report inappropriate incidents in the
workplace.
At the time of the #MeToo movement, low wage -- mostly immigrant women -- are unfortunately
among the most vulnerable to sexual assault in the workplace. More than half of hotel
housekeepers report being victims of sexual harassment during their jobs. Performing much of
their work alone with a guest in rooms, these at-risk individuals are subjected to a higher chance
of sexual harassment and violence by the very nature of their job.
“The statistics are beyond concerning, and it’s why I pushed for this necessary action to be
undertaken by the City,” shared Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez.
Better protecting these individuals from sexual assault and harassment, the portable emergency
device would provide an immediate and effective way for hotel workers to connect to police and
hotel security and management if they feel in any way threatened or harassed during work
hours.
The ordinance will take effect August 2019, at which time hotels and hostels will be required to
offer their staff the device at no cost to the employee. Hospitality businesses will additionally
need to place a designated sign providing information regarding the new measure on the inside
of each guest room door.
###
To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any
city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2489 and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).