Hyatt Hotel Staff in California begs guests to pay their Health Care

HEALTH FEE
Avatar of Juergen T Steinmetz

Health insurance for staff should be provided by the employers. At Hyatt Hotels in California staff is begging guests to donate.

I just paid for breakfast at the Hyatt-operated Thompson Hotel in Hollywood, California, said World Tourism Network chairman Juergen Steinmetz.

Not having a breakfast buffet, but a combination of a yogurt dish, a simple breakfast sandwich, and a cappuccino came to $41.39 plus an expected tip of $8.00.

If this wasn’t enough for a hotel breakfast, juice, and a second coffee not included, I noticed a 5% Wellness HLA Fee of $1.80

IMG 6227 | eTurboNews | eTN

The $50.00 per person breakfast bill did not provide healthcare for these friendly, hardworking Hyatt Hotel waiters and waitresses at this Hyatt Regency branded Thompson hotel and restaurant in Hollywood, California.

The fee meant to provide health insurance to Hyatt staff was an additional contribution quietly added to the restaurant check.

It wasn’t April 1 yet, so it could not have been April fools’ joke. I asked the restaurant manager. She said she could take the fee off, but the fee is used to pay for health insurance for her and her colleagues.

I found this undertaken by one of the largest hotel chains in the world outrageous. It’s not the money, but why would staff not get paid and receive health insurance as part of their salary contract? Isn’t this a basic benefit for the workplace?

Why would a hotel guest judge if health care is necessary for a staff member?

What would happen if the 5% would not cover the health insurance and a staff member got sick? Would this mean he or she is on her own paying for health care? Would this mean sick days won’t be honored?

eTurboNews reached out to Hyatt, but there was silence.

Next time you stay at a Hyatt Hotel in California, please organize a donation for healthcare for homeless people in the neighborhood, for police to prevent crime, for heating your room, or for the privilege of taking a hot shower.

What about bringing your own bedding and towels?

Where would this end? What happened to our hospitality industry?

The $30.00 per night mandatory destination fee may cover some of the expenses necessary to operate a hotel. I guess the $285 room nights and 15-20% taxes only pay for the room key these days.

This issue is not isolated to Hyatt hotels; it has become the new trend in the California hospitality industry.

Also, to be fair, I am a Globalist, the top tier of the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a benefit due to my status, I don’t have to pay the breakfast or the destination/resort fee. It’s however the principle since these hidden fees apply to most guests. I am sure other hotels and restaurants follow this trend, so Hyatt is an example and not the only entity involved in this conspiracy.

Also, to be fair, I am a Globalist, the top tier of the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a benefit due to my status, I don’t have to pay the breakfast or the destination/resort fee. It’s however the principle since these hidden fees apply to most guests. I am sure other hotels and restaurants follow this trend, so Hyatt is an example and not the only entity involved in this conspiracy.

About the author

Avatar of Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen Thomas Steinmetz has continuously worked in the travel and tourism industry since he was a teenager in Germany (1977).
He founded eTurboNews in 1999 as the first online newsletter for the global travel tourism industry.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x
Share to...