Unit 5-Understand safety and security and
legal and ethical responsibilities at
hospitality and tourism destinations.
5.01-UNDERSTAND RULES AND LAWS
DESIGNED TO PROMOTE SAFETY AND
SECURITY AT HOSPITALITY AND
TOURISM DESTINATIONS.
5.02-UNDERSTAND ETHICAL AND
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS FOR GUEST,
CUSTOMER, AND EMPLOYEE
CONDUCT AT HOSPITALITY AND
TOURISM DESTINATIONS.
Safety/Security
 Safety- consists of actions taken to prevent accidents
and emergencies.
 Ways to ensure security:
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Employees wear photo identification cards
Lifeguards at the beach
Closed-circuit television
Safe deposit box on cruise ships to protect valuables and
reduce the risk of theft
Parking lot lighting system
Evacuation plans
Airport security (especially during threats or attacks)
Hazard
 Hazard-is a situation that poses a level of threat
to life, health, property, or environment.
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A hotel lobby has loose electrical wires coming out a wall this is
a hazard of safety.
Robbery
 Robbery- the action of robbing a person or place.
 If hotels guest reports that someone has stole money and
jewelry from his/her room the hotel should call the local police
department.
 Silent alarms can notify the police without the robbers’
knowledge.
 Employees need to be observant during a robbery.
Emergency Situations
 Civil disobedience- is the active, professed refusal to
obey certain laws, demands, or commands of a
government, or of an occupying international power.
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Riots and outdoor celebrations that cause a disturbance.
These may cause traffic or safety issues.
It is very important that hospitality and tourism facilities
develop emergency response procedures to help lesson panic
and reduce the risk of damage or injury during an emergency
situation.
Ethical Issues
 Ethics consists of principles of conduct that govern the behavior of
an individual or group
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Ethics create a system of moral rules that help people decide right from wrong.
 Ethical behavior is doing the right thing even when under pressure
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to do the wrong thing
Business ethics are a set of ethics that you want your employees to
follow.
Employees that have good ethics and values are more likely to be in
a positive and collaborative work culture.
Comply with health codes by washing hands properly when
preparing food orders.
Hospitality and Tourism companies may host charitable events such
as a golf tournament for a local children’s hospital.
Eight Guidelines for Ethical Behavior
 1. Honesty: tell the truth, even if you may have done
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something incorrectly
2. Integrity: Always do what you know is right
3. Trustworthiness: Be reliable (example: arriving to
work on time.)
4. Loyalty: Keep confidential information confidential.
Do not say bad things about your employer
5. Fairness: Treat everyone equally.
6. Concern and respect for others: Care about fellow
employees
7. Commitment to Excellence: Always do your best
8. Accountability: Be responsible for your actions
Ethical Decision Making
 Questions to ask:
 Is
it legal?
 Does it hurt anyone?
 Is it fair?
 Am I being honest?
 Can I live with myself?
 Would I publicize my decision?
 What if everyone did it?
Unethical practices
 Unethical business practices can damage a
hospitality business’s image.
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Bribery
Violate laws and regulations
Theft
 Illegal practices:
 Price fixing- airline increasing their ticket prices.
Laws and Regulations
 Laws are society’s rules for proper behavior.
 Regulations are specific rules that are developed
based on law
 Management is responsible for implementing laws
required to operate a hospitality and tourism
business.
 Companies are required to install ramps and wide
doors to accommodate wheelchair-bound employees
and guest with physical impairments to comply with
federal regulations.
 A tour bus operator must have a valid drivers license.
Hiring and Employment Laws
 Equal Opportunity laws require employers to treat
everyone equally during the hiring process
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The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1991 were passed to prevent
discrimination against people based on their race, religion,
sex, or national origin.
Gender-paying higher wages to men more than women
 Businesses are prohibited from discussing health issues with job
applicants during the interview process.
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Zoning & Building Laws
 Zoning is the process of designating specific
geographic areas for specific uses
 Zoning laws are the laws concerning where
businesses can be built
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List geographic areas and state the permitted uses for each
area
A hotel chain wants to build a new facility in Tampa, FLZoning laws will be a factor in determining where the hotel will
be built in Tampa.
 Building codes are rules and regulations designed to
make buildings safe
Environmental Protection
 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the lead
federal agency to make and enforce environmental
regulations.
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Enforce clean air, clean water, safe drinking water, cleaning up
toxic wastes, protecting endangered species, protection from
toxic substances, food quality and occupational safety
Companies that are careful and take precautions with toxic
cleaning chemicals are protecting the natural environment.