Domestic Violence Project

It’s 8 p.m. and your front desk is calling you.  A guest just broke down the door of his hotel room.  He and his girlfriend had an argument, and she locked him out.  When he got in, a fight ensued and the police are on their way.  Every guest on the third floor heard the commotion – a couple of them even tried to come to her aid.  Your employees are shaken up and it’s going to take at least a week to replace the door – and you’re full.

Domestic violence can impact your business in many ways:

• Incidents can occur between guests.
• In communities without women’s shelters, women and children fleeing abuse may be staying with you. 
• Your employees may be victims or even perpetrators.

 Why should you care about domestic violence?

• Family violence doesn’t stay at home.  The problems that employees who live with violence have at home come with them to work.  Those problems can affect your business – and your bottom line.
• Performance.  Employees affected by domestic violence may be absent more often, be less productive, and may be trying to deal with their situation while they’re at work.
• Safety.  Perpetrators of domestic violence may cause disruptions and threaten the safety of staff and guests, not just the victim.
• It’s Just Good Business.  The well being of your employees is important to the success of your hotel, motel or campground.  Addressing an issue that affects safety and productivity makes good business sense.

Your star housekeeper didn’t show up for work today…again.  She missed three days in a row last month without even a phone call, and when she came back to work, she was definitely not herself.  She’s been slower than usual, and her coworkers are getting tired of picking up the slack.  You’re frustrated, but you can’t afford to lose another housekeeper, and she’s always been a good employee.  What are you supposed to do?

 Domestic violence is a sensitive subject, and it can be difficult to talk about.  But you can reduce the impact of domestic violence on your business, your guests and your staff – if you know what to do. 

The AHLA, along with the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters and the Alberta Hotel Safety Association is developing tools to help you and your staff deal with the effects of domestic violence at your property.  Starting in April, these resources will help you:

• Know the direct & indirect signs of domestic violence.
• Know what to do if an incident occurs at your property involving either a guest or staff member, and train your employees accordingly.
• Know what to do if you think a guest or staff member is a victim of domestic violence, and train your employees about how to deal with this situation.
• Understand how you can help/support staff members who may be leaving an abusive relationship.
• Support women’s shelters in your community.