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Tag: Employee safety

  • WrkSpot Pioneers New Vision of ‘Smart Hotels’ Through Employee Mobile App to Streamline Hotel Operations

    WrkSpot Pioneers New Vision of ‘Smart Hotels’ Through Employee Mobile App to Streamline Hotel Operations

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    Smartphones have become an integral component of the growth of hotel productivity and ensure employee safety and engagement.

    WrkSpot’s CEO and Founder, Raja Epsilon, and his team have produced an employee mobile app that transforms hotel operations by saving time, empowering employees, and providing a better guest experience.   

    “When employees are happy with their work, they give better customer service,” Epsilon said. “Historically, there has been a lack of employee engagement in the hotel industry. That’s why providing employees with a mobile app geared for them and their workflow fixes this problem and results in a better guest experience.”  

    According to PhoneSuite, the hospitality industry is being pressured to evolve because customers are expecting faster service. “If you look at hotel operations, we see that the guest experience is at the top of the funnel,” Epsilon said. “Everyone talks about the guest experience, and what we tend to forget is the people who drive that experience are the hosts, which are the hoteliers.”

    WrkSpot’s app incorporates hotel productivity and operational efficiency while providing advantages for employees, including hotel safety.   

    “Say, for example, that a high-stress situation is occurring, and the WrkSpot app shows that an employee in Room 303 has not moved at all for 10 minutes,” Epsilon said. “We may not know if this employee is ill or unconscious; however, the app will be able to pinpoint this employee’s exact location, allowing the hotel to send vital aid to them.”  

    Additionally, the WrkSpot app allows hotel employees to quickly and efficiently take pictures, videos, and voice recordings as they do their job, providing them the ability to rapidly flag and take care of any mishaps. With this technology, hoteliers can identify potential issues as well as the exact location of any occurrence that requires immediate attention.  

    With the cost of smartphones decreasing every year, a budget smartphone starting at $120, for example, can be an effective investment for hotel labor management. “A hotel operator can pay off a budget smartphone of $120 at as little as $5 per month for two years. For those $5, the employee is now empowered with a variety of tools that make it easier to complete their jobs and also provides an equal playing field between the host and the guests,” Epsilon said.   

    Current Utility and the Future of Smartphones 

    Smartphones have become the Swiss knife of everyday life. Starting from staying connected with near and dear ones, to managing daily health activities, banking with biometric authentication, scheduling, flashlight, QR code scanning of a digital menu, digital ticketing and much more – without a smartphone, it’s impossible to stay current and efficient in this digitally connected world. Depriving a housekeeper access to smartphones in the USA while the rest of the world has been much more progressive is a major setback – especially with the USA being such an advanced nation. The future of smartphones is rapidly evolving and modern technology will soon invade the hotel backoffice operations. In a matter of months, 5G connectivity of gigabit speed will be the norm. In a decade, 6G speed of terabyte will be the new norm. Battery usage issues in phones will soon be revolutionized where wireless charging will be the norm and smart applications will empower hotel employees to match the smart guest. It is time hotel owners take a bold step and give hotel employees smartphones to carry the power of technology in their pockets and not on spreadsheets and manual paper. 

    WrkSpot’s app can also make employees more efficient by signing a policy on the phone instead of having to walk back to the office to deal with hotel compliance issues. “If you need an important document to be signed, you can have the employee sign within a few minutes using their phone, and you can be immediately compliant,” Epsilon said. “A smartphone is such a powerful tool that carries end-to-end workflows, whether it’s documents, training, or managing their timecard.”  

    About WrkSpot  

    Founded in 2017, WrkSpot is the developer of a revolutionary software suite for hotel portfolio management that integrates HRIS, operations management, and communication in a single app. By managing and engaging staff, controlling costs, streamlining operations, and improving compliance and safety, WrkSpot allows hotel managers to avoid being bogged down by the unavoidable details of hotel operations.  

    To learn more about WrkSpot, please visit https://www.wrkspot.com.  

    Source: WrkSpot

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  • Tele-Mental Health in the Workplace is Crucial to Employee Morale and Productivity. Here’s Why

    Tele-Mental Health in the Workplace is Crucial to Employee Morale and Productivity. Here’s Why

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    How can leaders keep their organization or business functioning through these unprecedented times? By understanding and prioritizing mental well-being.

    With the world lurching endlessly between global health and economic crises, conditions have never been more challenging for employers or employees. In the context of record workforce and resource shortages, a drive for sustainability challenges businesses to consider implementing innovations like virtual mental in the workplace.

    The state of mental health in the U.S.

    In 2020, as society grappled with the new normal, the nation’s mental health was anything but ordinary.

    During this time, the number of adults reporting anxiety or depressive symptoms quadrupled. This was more than a mere spike — the Mental Health Index (MHI) reported a 71% increase in the risk for in workers through 2021, and stress, anxiety, and depression have only recently returned to pre-2020 levels.

    Research has shown that long-term disasters place society at risk for increased stress, anger, anxiety, depression, and substance misuse. This is partly due to financial insecurity, a loss of confidence in authorities, and disruption to everyday life.

    Studies of earlier disasters have shown that increases in mental health service provision may have helped avoid future mental health problems. However, less than half of individuals with mental received inpatient mental health services or prescription psychiatric medication in 2020. In addition, communities of color that typically experience difficulty accessing mental health services were disproportionately affected, deepening pre-existing fault lines of health inequity.

    Related: 4 Ways to Help Employees With Their Mental Health and Emotional Needs as You Reopen Offices

    Employers taking the lead

    If any silver lining can be taken from the disruption and trauma experienced, it is the normalization of mental health and employers’ recognition of its importance.

    Major companies are acknowledging the responsibility to their workers. For example, sports giants Nike, Bumble, Hootsuite and LinkedIn have introduced access to digital resources, virtual counseling services, and even paid time off for mental health. Smaller companies are following suit. After 2020, 39% of companies expanded their mental health providers to meet the evolving needs of their employees.

    But why should the employer take the lead? The answer is two-fold.

    As the mental health of the population and workforce declined, and productivity declined too. According to the Peterson Institution for International Economics, productivity is falling at the fastest rate on record. Simultaneously, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) shows that the numbers of people quitting their jobs remain above pre-pandemic levels, with a high turnover in lower-wage sectors.

    While the fiscal impact of poor mental health on employers and employees is well documented, there’s more to this issue than balance sheets and stock prices.

    Employers are expanding benefits to include tele-mental health because it’s the right thing to do. The longstanding false dichotomy between physical and mental health needs to be challenged, and employers can do this by offering integrated . As Dr. Hilary Grant, Medical Director for Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, notes, “Mental ill health precipitates, perpetuates, maintains and exacerbates acute and chronic physical health problems.” Offering physical cover alone is like pouring water into a bucket with a hole in the bottom and wondering why it never seems to fill.

    An ongoing need for mental health service provision

    Though one global challenge is over, others have only begun. According to MHI statistics from February – May 2022, macroeconomic trends and the war in Ukraine have led to a 12% increase in stress levels, a 23% jump in general anxiety, and a 53% increase in the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

    Researchers examining the impact of the global health crisis on society concluded that the frequency of mental health symptoms made access to mental health services, such as , critical. Though the challenges are different, the need remains unchanged.

    Related: How to Protect Your Team’s Mental Health

    Modern solutions for modern times

    As the global health crisis kept people at home, consumers demanded more convenience across all sectors, healthcare included. As a result, healthcare organizations worldwide were driven to treat people where they were, delivering care in out-of-hospital settings.

    Technology-driven, remote solutions like telemedicine have become part of the architecture of contemporary healthcare. Though the necessity of staying home has passed, virtual care remains relevant as consumers have embraced the flexibility.

    Beyond convenience, virtual solutions underpin equitable access in isolated or marginalized communities, where stigma or a shortage of mental health professionals might otherwise be a barrier.

    The rapidly growing field of tele-mental health

    In the growing telemedicine sector, mental health has taken the lead, accounting for 53% of all consultations in the US between 2005 and 2017. However, mental health services in the US face two significant challenges; a lack of capacity and inequitable geographical distribution.

    Using consumer-grade electronics, tele-mental health is a low-tech answer to both. Multiple studies have shown that clients and providers are satisfied with the transition to virtual consultations. Advantages include:

    • Allowing people to be seen in their homes or workplace rather than in an unfamiliar clinical setting.
    • Avoiding the inconveniences of scheduling.
    • Waiting.
    • Other personal stumbling blocks, such as arranging transport or a babysitter.

    Tele-mental health holds many advantages for businesses, too. Accessible support boosts efficiency by reducing absenteeism and presenteeism, the latter being estimated to cost the United States economy $150 billion per year. As a low-cost option, telemedicine helps employees to avoid co-payments and deductibles, removing financial barriers to medical care and resulting in a healthier workforce.

    In these trying times, many will experience varying levels of mental health and mental illness that affect how they think, feel, and act and their interactions, problem-solving, and decision-making. Whether employees have reported or been diagnosed with mental illness, employers must provide mental health access for all workers and, in turn, their businesses.

    Related: Healthcare For The Masses: Why Tele-Health Is A Game Changer For The Middle East

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    Larry Jones

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  • Nugget Casino Resort Earns Top Safety Designation From the Nevada Safety Consultation and Training Section

    Nugget Casino Resort Earns Top Safety Designation From the Nevada Safety Consultation and Training Section

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    Press Release


    Aug 11, 2022

    The Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) of the State of Nevada’s Division of Industrial Relations recognizes the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks with the Safe Partner Award. Designed to increase safety awareness and strengthen safety culture within the workplace, this elite award is given to a maximum of four businesses annually out of the 80,000 employers in Nevada.

    “The Nugget has continued to grow its employee safety program since partnering with SCATS – we are committed to providing our staff of over 860 employees with a safe and healthy work environment,” said Kathy Picollo, vice president of human resource and risk management, Nugget Casino Resort. “We bring SCATS consultants to our location regularly to help us identify areas for improvement, which has helped us strengthen our safety culture.”

    Working with SCATS has enabled the Nugget’s team to make measurable improvements to employee safety. In its safety culture improvement efforts, the organization has implemented employee-led safety committees and the risk and safety team leaders conduct bi-weekly safety walk-throughs around the location.

    The Nugget Casino Resort joins a committed group of organizations that prioritize employee health and safety. Recognition is granted for using a range of the no-cost services from SCATS such as safety consultations, training courses, enrollment in the Safety and Health Practitioner Program and more.

    “It’s rewarding to see companies like the Nugget ensure their employees return home safe and healthy every day,” said Todd Schultz, chief administrative officer for SCATS. “The Safe Partner Award recognizes the company’s excellence and positions them as leaders in the hospitality and gaming industry.”

    SCATS provides employers with confidential hazard identification, program development, implementation assistance and training. Employers who implement effective safety programs and have a days-away restricted transfer rate below the national average for their industry may be recognized by SCATS.

    Businesses interested in the Safe Partner Award or other safety programs can contact SCATS at 775-824-4630. For more information or to schedule free training courses, businesses can call 1-877-4SAFENV or visit 4safenv.state.nv.us 

    About Nevada SCATS
    A part of Nevada’s Division of Industrial Relations, SCATS provides free, confidential consultation and safety services to assist Nevada businesses in maintaining compliance with OSHA standards. Helping employers keep their employees safe through on-site consultation services, SCATS partners with businesses to recognize and control potential safety and health hazards, improve their safety and health programs, and assist in training employees. SCATS also offers Workplace Safety and Health Training classes in Northern and Southern Nevada. Bilingual services are also available. Visit 4safenv.state.nv.us.

    The Nevada On-Site Consultation program, at the time of initial publication of this document (4/2022), is funded by a cooperative agreement for $1,001,105 federal funds, which constitutes 34.5% percent of the program budget. 0% percent, or $0.00 of the program budget, is financed through non-governmental sources.

    About Nugget Casino Resort
    The Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada is one of the Reno/Tahoe region’s most affordable vacation and convention destinations, featuring a multitude of amenities, with nearly 1,400 guestrooms, 110,000 square feet of meeting space, several dining outlets, a year-round atrium pool and numerous other attractions. For more information, please visit www.nuggetcasinoresort.com, call 1-800-648-1177, or visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

    SCATS Media contact: Jena Esposito, KPS3, jena.esposito@kps3.com, 702-513-0606

    Nugget Casino Resort contact: Randy Kennedy, Randy.Kennedy@marnellgaming.com, 775-356-3437

    Source: Nevada SCATS

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  • Two Boyd Gaming Properties Earn Top Safety Awards From Nevada’s Safety Consultation and Training Section

    Two Boyd Gaming Properties Earn Top Safety Awards From Nevada’s Safety Consultation and Training Section

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    Press Release


    May 6, 2022

    The Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) of the State of Nevada’s Division of Industrial Relations recognizes two Boyd Gaming properties – Main Street Station Casino Brewery Hotel and California Hotel and Casino – for successful entry into the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). This is the first time these Boyd Gaming properties have earned this top safety honor.

    Boyd Gaming partnered with SCATS consultants to develop its comprehensive employee safety program and strives toward continuous growth.

    “Creating a safe environment for our team members and guests is a top priority for Boyd Gaming,” said Andre Filosi, Vice President and General Manager of the California Hotel and Casino, Fremont Hotel and Casino and Main Street Station Casino Brewery Hotel. “We are proud of our Company’s long-standing partnership with Nevada SCATS that has helped us implement comprehensive safety programs and set the standard for excellence in workplace safety.”

    Boyd Gaming is part of an elite group of businesses that have achieved SHARP status by maintaining exemplary health and safety protocols. Participation in the no-cost program provides incentives and support to employers to develop, implement and continuously improve programs at their worksite(s). By taking these proactive measures, businesses can reduce accident costs and ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) regulations.

    “Boyd Gaming is a committed safety leader within the casino industry,” said Todd Schultz, Chief Administrative Officer for SCATS. “It’s an honor to support Nevada-based companies like this that ensure their employees return home safe and healthy every day.”

    SCATS consultants provide employers with confidential hazard identification, program development, implementation assistance and training. Employers who implement effective safety programs and have a days-away restricted transfer (DART) rate below the national average for their industry may be recognized by SCATS. Successful SHARP participants may receive up to a three-year deferral from OSHA’s general schedule inspections.

    Businesses interested in SHARP can contact SCATS at 775-824-4630. For more information or for a schedule of free training courses offered by SCATS, businesses can call 1-877-4SAFENV or visit 4safenv.state.nv.us.

    About Boyd Gaming
    Founded in 1975, Boyd Gaming Corporation is a leading geographically diversified operator of 28 gaming entertainment properties in 10 states. The Company is also a strategic partner and 5% equity owner of FanDuel Group, the nation’s leading sports-betting and iGaming operator. With one of the most experienced leadership teams in the casino industry, Boyd Gaming prides itself on offering its guests an outstanding entertainment experience, delivered with unwavering attention to customer service. Through a long-standing company philosophy called Caring the Boyd Way, Boyd Gaming is committed to advancing Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) initiatives that positively impact the Company’s stakeholders and communities. Our commitment to being an employer of choice has been recognized by Forbes magazine, which named Boyd Gaming the highest-ranked gaming company in America’s Best Employers for Diversity in 2021, and Nevada’s Best Employers in 2020 and 2021. For additional Company information and press releases, visit www.boydgaming.com.

    About Nevada SCATS
    The Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS), part of Nevada’s Division of Industrial Relations, provides free and confidential consultation and safety services to assist businesses in Nevada to be in compliance with OSHA standards. SCATS helps Nevada businesses keep their employees safe and offers on-site consultation services designed to help employers recognize and control potential safety and health hazards at their workplaces, improve their safety and health programs, and assist in training employees. SCATS also offers Workplace Safety and Health Training classes in Northern and Southern Nevada. Bilingual services are also available. Visit 4safenv.state.nv.us.

    Funding Statement: 
    The Nevada On-Site Consultation program (SCATS), at the time of initial publication of this document (5/2022), is funded by a cooperative agreement for $1,001,105 federal funds, which constitutes 34.5% percent of the program budget. 0% percent, or $ 0.00 of the program budget, is financed through non-governmental sources.

    Media contact: Jena Esposito, KPS3, jena.esposito@kps3.com

    Source: Nevada Safety Consultation and Training Section

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  • Nevada’s Safety Consultation and Training Section Awards Sega Sammy Creation USA Inc. With Top Safety Honor

    Nevada’s Safety Consultation and Training Section Awards Sega Sammy Creation USA Inc. With Top Safety Honor

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    Press Release


    Apr 28, 2022

    The Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) of the State of Nevada’s Division of Industrial Relations recognizes Sega Sammy Creation USA Inc. for the successful renewal of the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). This is the third time the Las Vegas facility has earned this top safety honor.

    Sega Sammy Creation USA Inc. partnered with SCATS consultants to develop its comprehensive employee safety program and strives toward continuous growth.

    “SCATS has been our team’s closest health and safety ally,” said Aiko Hatano, Human Resources Business Partner, Sega Sammy Creation USA Inc. “The SHARP designation is culture-changing and it will have a lasting impact on the health and safety standards for our employees and our workplace.”

    Sega Sammy Creation USA Inc. is part of an elite group of businesses that have renewed their status with SHARP by maintaining exemplary health and safety protocols. Participation in the no-cost program provides incentives and support to employers to develop, implement and continuously improve programs at their worksite(s). By taking these proactive measures, businesses can reduce accident costs and ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) regulations.

    “Sega Sammy Creation USA Inc. has partnered with SCATS’ safety experts since first opening its facility – it’s been incredible to see how our teamwork has helped them achieve high safety standards from the start,” said Todd Schultz, Chief Administrative Officer for SCATS. “It’s an honor to support teams like this who prioritize employees’ health and well-being every day.”

    SCATS consultants provide employers with confidential hazard identification, program development, implementation assistance and training. Employers who implement effective safety programs and have a days-away restricted transfer (DART) rate below the national average for their industry may be recognized by SCATS. Successful SHARP participants may receive up to a three-year deferral from OSHA’s general schedule inspections.

    Businesses interested in SHARP can contact SCATS at 775-824-4630. For more information or for a schedule of free training courses offered by SCATS, businesses can call 1-877-4SAFENV or visit 4safenv.state.nv.us.

    About Sega Sammy Creation Inc.
    SEGA SAMMY CREATION INC. is a Japan-based company established in June 2013. The company opened its U.S. facility in Nevada in October of 2018. We manufacture exciting and never-before-seen gaming machines by utilizing the diverse resources from the SEGA SAMMY GROUP. For more information about the company, visit segasammycreation.com/en.

    About Nevada SCATS
    The Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS), part of Nevada’s Division of Industrial Relations, provides free and confidential consultation and safety services to assist businesses in Nevada to be in compliance with OSHA standards. SCATS helps Nevada businesses keep their employees safe and offers on-site consultation services designed to help employers recognize and control potential safety and health hazards at their workplaces, improve their safety and health programs, and assist in training employees. SCATS also offers Workplace Safety and Health Training classes in Northern and Southern Nevada. Bilingual services are also available. Visit 4safenv.state.nv.us.

    The Nevada On-Site Consultation program (SCATS), at the time of initial publication of this document (4/2022), is funded by a cooperative agreement for $1,001,105 federal funds, which constitutes 34.5% percent of the program budget. 0% percent, or $ 0.00 of the program budget, is financed through non-governmental sources.

    Media contact: Jena Esposito, KPS3, jena.esposito@kps3.com

    Source: Nevada Safety Consultation and Training Section

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  • Pinpoint Deploys COVID-19 Remote Wellness Screening Software, Protecting Students and Staff as Schools Begin Reopening

    Pinpoint Deploys COVID-19 Remote Wellness Screening Software, Protecting Students and Staff as Schools Begin Reopening

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    Press Release



    updated: Sep 1, 2020

    ​​Pinpoint builds upon its virtual wellness screening and monitoring platform, which both aligns with CDC guidelines and is HIPAA-compliant, to help schools safely reopen nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. With some states requiring schoolwide-screening programs in order to reopen, administrators are seeking technological solutions to keep students and faculty healthy.

    “We must all remain cautious as schools begin to reopen, as safety and wellness are the top priority for staff and students,” said Chris Nickerson, Managing Director. “Our data-centered approach is designed to screen, monitor, and track the health of organizations, and mitigate the risk of the spread of COVID-19.”

    Pinpoint works with all schools including K-12 and higher education. Their web-based application uses SMS (email and text) to screen staff or students who may be experiencing symptoms, had contact with a diagnosed COVID-19 individual, travel restrictions, etc. Designed with adaptive algorithms and dynamically generated resources, administrators will be able to view aggregate wellness data of their campus population in real-time.

    The inexpensive, simple-to-use platform is implemented quickly with nothing to download. Along with tracking wellness, administrators are finding new ways to use the software. Schools are using as a tool to change attendance tracking, curbside drop-off and pickup, emergency drills, and access control.

    Pinpoint is currently focusing on helping schools across the country in states like New York with early reopening plans. Assisting them with vital personalized screening solutions to help staff and households to screen themselves remotely.

    “Pinpoint’s screening tool will make it possible for our District to screen all staff and students as we return to in-person learning this fall. The company has been very easy to work with, quick to respond, and helped us seamlessly implement this key piece of our reopening plan. We’re thankful for their partnership during these stressful times.” — Kristine Orr, Superintendent of Schools, South Glens Falls Central School District, New York

    Pinpoint has its roots in schools and education as it was initially developed inside a school as a software for active shooter and compliance technology in 2016.

    To find out more, or schedule a demo, visit the website at https://www.pinpoint.us/edu-solutions

    ###

    About Pinpoint

    Founded in 2016, the Pinpoint technology was developed and launched at a Baltimore school to provide instant accountability for students and teachers in active shooter and emergency situations. Utilizing innovative technology for the safety and security of our communities, schools, and businesses has been the organization’s mission from the beginning. 

    In 2020, Pinpoint launched its wellness check pathway, which is being used by employers to perform remote wellness screening and return-to-work procedures in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization leverages technology solutions to increase efficiency and reach for symptom monitoring for COVID-19+ residents, screening of those at risk for COVID-19, identification mood disturbances associated and identification of domestic violence/intimate partner violence during times of increased health and economic stress.

    Contact:

    Karen Chandler

    PinpointSafety.com

    KChandler@Pinpoint.us

    Source: Pinpoint Us, LLC

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