The 10-minute staff safety briefing for hospitality teams

Part 1: When a guest or customer harasses you (4 minutes)

Since 30 October 2026 employers must take all reasonable steps to stop staff being harassed, including by guests, customers and contractors. In practice, for you:

1. You don't have to put up with it. Comments, touching, following, messages: if it's unwanted, it counts.
2. Step away. You can leave the situation, swap with a colleague or call the duty manager. You won't be in trouble for it.
3. Tell someone the same shift. Duty manager, or the named lead if it's the manager.
4. Write it down. Date, time, room or table, what was said or done, who saw it.
5. We deal with the guest, not you. That can mean a warning, refusing service or asking them to leave.

Part 2: Spotting exploitation (4 minutes)

Hotels and venues can be used for trafficking, county lines and sexual exploitation. No single sign proves anything; look for patterns.

• An adult checking in with a young person who seems anxious, scripted or has no luggage.
• Someone who doesn't hold their own ID, money or key, or isn't allowed to speak for themselves.
• A stream of short visits to one room, especially at night.
• 'Do Not Disturb' for days and housekeeping always refused.
• Lots of phones, cash or drug-packaging materials in a room.

Part 3: What to do (2 minutes)

1. Don't confront the guest or try to rescue anyone yourself.
2. Note what you saw: facts, times, room numbers, descriptions.
3. Tell the duty manager straight away. Manager reports it.
4. Someone in immediate danger? Call 999. Otherwise police on 101, the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Briefing by Obsidra Training & Solutions, obsidra.co.uk. Practical guidance, not legal advice: adapt to your setting and local procedures. Sign-off: staff name / date / manager.