-"The mission of the California Lodging Industry Association is to promote, protect and advance the interests of lodging owners and their management teams statewide, and to provide a network of resources to support member efficiency, profitability and professionalism.”-

July 12, 2023

Hotel workers walk off job again near LAX as strike continues

After a nearly weeklong pause in picketing, hundreds of Southland hospitality workers walked off the job Monday in what their union billed as the second wave of a strike called in hopes of securing higher wages and improved benefits.

The workers, including cooks, room attendants, dishwashers, servers, bellmen and front desk agents, walked a picket line Monday morning at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel on Century Boulevard near Los Angeles International Airport.

Members of the Unite Here Local 11 union initially walked off the job on July 2, continuing their picketing through the Fourth of July holiday. That picketing targeted 21 hotels involved in contract negotiations with the union.

APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM, CONTINGENT WORKFORCE, EMPLOYEE ONBOARDING, REMOTE ONBOARDING

Everything You Need To Know About Form

I-9 Reverification Post COVID-19 Relaxed Viewing Guidelines

Have you been conducting virtual inspections of I-9 work authorization documents during the COVID-19 pandemic? We’ve got some important news to share with you. The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently made a change to the I-9 requirements in May 2023, and it’s something to pay attention to.

So, what’s the scoop? The government has tightened up the requirements, and as a result, the physical review process for I-9 forms has been reinstated. What does this mean for employers? Well, it means that the reverification (or reconciliation, or remediation – despite its many names, rest easy – it’s the same process) of employees’ I-9 forms has now become mandatory. In other words, employers are now required to physically inspect all the documents for I-9 forms that were previously accepted virtually.

Simply put, if you’ve been using remote verification for your employees’

I-9 forms since March 2020, you’ll need to go back and physically review the identification documents for each employee. It’s a bit of a process, but it is essential to ensure compliance with the new regulations.

For more information, see the USCIS webpage.

What is I-9 Reverification?

As an employer, you’ll need to physically inspect and reconcile all virtually approved I-9 documents – make sure to carefully document dates and actions in the “Additional Information” section.

Short-Term Rental Market in US Experiencing Decline to Start 2023

By travelpulse

New data suggests the short-term rental market in the United States fell sharply through the first six months of 2023.

According to data specialist Key Data, Revenue per Available Rental (RevPAR) increased across Europe and globally through June, jumping 5.7 percent to $49 due to an increase in occupancy offsetting a slight increase in Average Daily Rates (ADRs).

While hotel companies have been thriving outside the U.S., American brands contend with a cost-of-living crisis and a more extensive stock of available rentals. RevPAR in the U.S. declined by 3.3 percent to $89 in the first half of the year, while Average Daily Rates (ADRs) dropped 2.3 percent to $260.

Essential Technology: Digitization Continues to Extend Across All Touchpoints, Benefiting Both Guests and Hotel Operators

Technology both facilitates hotel operations and enhances the guest experience, but it is the latter area that has seen the most advancements coming out of the pandemic. The staffing shortage existed pre-pandemic, and so did software that automated operations to assist with that shortage. As INTELITY CEO Robert Stevenson observes, “While there has been a more recent uptick in the importance of staff-oriented software, the fundamental tools have been around for many years.”

But when people resumed traveling, contactless transactions were in high demand and have become an expectation for hotel stays. The convenience of those transactions—from mobile check in/out to mobile dining orders—are a major part of today’s guest experience. “The pandemic was a primary driver of digitizing the hotel guest experience,” maintains Sharat Potharaju, founder and CEO, Beaconstac. “Hotels had to incorporate mobile and touchless technology solutions to protect guests and staff. And now, flexible options, like remote check ins, remain an essential guest expectation. Today, nearly three-quarters of travelers prefer hotels offering self-service options to minimize contact with other guests and staff.”