200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #733
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5162
Fax: (714) 765-5164
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
DATE: DECEMBER 12, 2023
FROM: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
SUBJECT: HOTEL WORKER PROTECTIONS ORDINANCE OVERVIEW
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 21
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
REQUESTED ACTION:
That the City Council receive an overview on the implementation of Chapter 6.101 (Hotel Worker Protections) of the Anaheim Municipal Code to provide safety and security measures for hotel workers in Anaheim.
DISCUSSION:
At the December 5, 2023, City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Natalie Rubalcava requested an overview of Chapter 6.101 (Hotel Worker Protections) and how the city will implement the code once it takes effect on January 1, 2024.
On June 27, 2023, the City Council approved an ordinance aimed at establishing consistent safety and security standards to protect hotel workers. The ordinance mandates several key measures to ensure their safety, including:
i) Providing hotel workers with personal security devices that can be activated in the event of threats, violence, or emergencies.
ii) Mandating comprehensive training for hotel personnel to ensure awareness of the rights, obligations, and protections outlined in the ordinance. iii) Requiring hotels to designate personnel specifically tasked with facilitating prompt and effective responses to activations of the security devices. iv) Mandating hotels to inform guests that hotel workers are protected by City law and equipped with security devices for their safety.
v) Ensuring that workers facing violent or threatening behavior are afforded paid time to report such incidents to the police.
vi) Establishing safeguards against retaliation for workers exercising their rights under the ordinance and providing civil remedies for violations thereof.
Hotel Worker Protections Overview
December 12, 2023
Violations of the Hotel Worker Protection law can be subject to civil legal action by employees who believe they have been impacted by violations of the law. The City reserves the right to request documentation of compliance among hotels, motels, and timeshares at any time.
OUTREACH:
Public outreach efforts to raise awareness of the Hotel Worker Protection Ordinance began in September 2023 with a press release on our City website, continued with a dedicated and comprehensive website, Anaheim.net/hotelworker, featuring a detailed fact sheet, an overview presentation, a direct link to the ordinance, a sample guest notification sign, and an online time extension application.
To ensure widespread dissemination of information, the website and fact sheet have been shared with hotels in The Anaheim Resort, as well as with Visit Anaheim and the Anaheim/Orange County Hotel & Lodging Association. Recognizing the concentration of motels along Beach Boulevard, Code Enforcement will be hand delivering the fact sheet to the motels situated along this thoroughfare. Subsequently, a citywide mailing will be conducted to reach all hotels and motels in the city. The mailing will provide the fact sheet and guidance to the website, along with offering to conduct workshops with various hotel groups.
Additionally, a new press release has been prominently featured on Anaheim.net, and information about the new ordinance is being actively shared on social media platforms.
Through these concerted efforts, we are confident that we will effectively reach and inform all entities covered by the ordinance.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There is no impact on the General Fund.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Vanderpool
City Manager
Attachment:
1. AMC Chapter 6.101 (Hotel Worker Protections)