Many businesses opt for shared hotel rooms to save on travel costs. While this practical solution might be good, it comes up with unique safety concerns. For instance, when employees are staying in unfamiliar locations or sharing stays for a fixed period of time.
In this blog, we’ll explore key safety measures for employees on business trips that every employer should execute while staying in shared rooms. Read on to learn more!
Agree on Personal Boundaries
When employees share a hotel room, discussing and agreeing on their personal boundaries is mandatory before arriving. This includes agreeing on silent hours, bathroom usage, and shared space decorum.
This conversation helps avoid discomfort during the shared stay. Hence, it ensures both employees respect each other’s personal time and space.
Limit Access to Room Number
If you need to share your room number with your colleague and you’re outside the room, how would you do it? Would you share it openly? No, don’t do that! To ensure security, you should be extra cautious about sharing your room number outside the hotel room.
Publicly disclosing the room numbers allows outsiders to identify and access your room in your absence. For best practice, communicate every piece of information via text or in person to minimize the risk of leaking your private data.
Secure Room Entrances
One of the most important measures while staying in a shared room is to ensure the room is properly secured. Upon entering the room, employees should double-check the door to confirm it’s properly locked.
Many hotel rooms have features like deadbolts or secondary locks for extra security. They ensure your room stays protected from unauthorized access. Besides, if your room door joins another room, make sure to lock it from both sides. This precaution provides peace of mind and improves overall security.
Put Your Valuables in Hotel Room
While staying in a shared room, make sure to store valuable personal items like laptops, phones, and passports in the hotel room’s safe. If there is no safe place, lock them in a suitcase or ask the front desk for any secure place.
This is a basic but crucial step to avoid theft, especially in a shared space where the chances of misplacing your belongings are high.
Establish a Check-In System
Safety and proper communication are key when employees are sharing hotel rooms. For that to be possible, a daily check-in system can keep a check of each other’s whereabouts in the hotel. Even if it’s a brief text, phone call, or message via a travel app, both employees should be alert in every case.
This small yet effective habit is useful if one employee is out or stuck in a meeting. It provides reassurance that everyone is safe. It can also prevent anxiety and ensure that there’s always a clear communication path between employees.
Use Bathroom in Shifts
Bathroom conflicts often happen in a shared hotel room. But don’t make it a point of tension; instead, prepare a time-sharing plan or a bathroom schedule with your colleague. To avoid any delay, employees should agree either to get ready in the morning or use the bathroom at night.
Hence, a clear understanding allows both employees to get ready on time without feeling rushed.
Do Not Open the Door to Unverified Visitors
Employees must never open the door for someone without verifying his/her name, background, etc. This could include hotel staff, other guests, or anyone claiming to have reason to enter the room. If there’s a knock, employees should always confirm their identity with the front desk before allowing in the room.
This precaution ensures that no one gains unauthorized access to the room. Hence, stay alert for potential scams or security threats.
Store Personal Items Securely
When sharing a room, employees need to store their personal items securely when not in use. Even when they are in the room, valuable items like laptops or documents must be kept in a suitcase or their cupboard. It will surely minimize the risk of theft.
If you do not find a bag safe to put in, ask the hotel’s front desk to provide you with a secure space. This will ensure that no one, including their roommate, has access to personal belongings without permission.
Keep Emergency Numbers Handy
Employees should have access to emergency numbers for the hotel, local emergency services, and other contacts. These details must be stored on their phones in case of any future emergency.
In an urgent situation, employees can reach out to these contacts without wasting time searching for the contact details.
Respect Privacy and Quiet Time
Finally, respect is key when sharing a hotel room. Both employees should agree on quiet hours or designated time for rest, work, or calls. If one person is attending any call, the other should be mindful and avoid making noise or interruptions.
It is a simple way to ensure that both employees are comfortable and productive in the same space.
Prioritizing Safety in Shared Hotel Rooms!
Sharing a hotel room doesn’t have to be stressful among employees. With a little preparation and open communication, they can create a safe and comfortable environment. Hence, it makes business trips more enjoyable and productive.
By following simple safety measures—from locking belongings to respecting each other’s space—you can ensure a smooth, worry-free stay. And when everyone is on the same page, it will be easier to focus on the work, goals, and success of the trip!
Stay safe, stay organized, and make the most of your trip!
