Koh Min

Dealing with Sexual Advances from Guests in the Hospitality Industry 1. Introduction 1.1 Workplace Context Since the sexual harassment allegations against movie producer Harvey Weinstein surfaced at the end of 2017, more high-profile cases of sexual harassment and assault at work have come to light. However, much less attention has been paid to the rampant harassment taking place in the front line of the hotel industry.    In the business of hospitality, as much as each guest interaction serves as a chance to wow the guest, it must be recognized that it is also an opening for guests to make unwanted sexual advances on hotel staff. In fact, it is not only staff in departments that experience high customer-contact such as the front office or F&B outlets that have to deal with unwanted advances, but also housekeeping. A survey conducted by showed that 58 percent of hotel workers who work as housekeepers and servers had been sexually harassed by a guest (Unite Here, 2017).

Dealing with Sexual Advances from Guests 1. Introduction 1.1 Workplace Context Since the sexual harassment allegations against movie producer Harvey Weinstein surfaced at the end of 2017, more high-profile cases of sexual harassment and assault at work has come to light. However, much less attention has been paid to the rampant harassment taking place in the front line of the hotel industry.    In the business of hospitality, as much as each guest interaction serves as a chance to wow the guest, it must be recognized that it is also an opening for guests to make unwanted sexual advances on hotel staff. In fact, it is not only staff in departments that experience high customer-contact such as the front office or F&B outlets that have to deal with unwanted advances, but also housekeeping. A survey conducted by showed that 58 percent of hotel workers who work as housekeepers and servers had been sexually harassed by a guest (Unite Here, 2017). 1.2 Thematic Focus

Dealing with Sexual Advances from Guests 1. Introduction 1.1 Workplace Context Since the sexual harassment allegations against movie producer Harvey Weinstein surfaced at the end of 2017, more high-profile cases of sexual harassment and assault at work has come to light. However, much less attention has been paid to the rampant harassment taking place in blue-collar workplaces, such as the hotel industry.    In the business of hospitality, as much as each guest interaction serves as a chance to wow the guest, it must be recognized that it is also an opening for guests to make unwanted sexual advances on hotel staff. In fact, it is not only staff in departments that experience high customer-contact such as the front office or F&B outlets that have to deal with unwanted advances, but also housekeeping. A survey conducted by Unite Here in Chicago showed that 58 percent of hotel workers who work as housekeepers and servers had been sexually harassed by a guest. 1.2 Them