How The Private Sector Is Protecting Children - A Q&A With Hyatt's Jessica Schultz

In recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, ECPAT-USA is presenting a series of interviews with leaders in the private sector about how they are working to end child sex trafficking and exploitation in their industries. Here, we speak with Jessica Schultz, Director of Corporate Responsibility at Hyatt. 

Can you tell me about when you first became aware of trafficking as an issue in the U.S. and what compelled you to get involved?

Human trafficking affects communities and individuals around the world and we recognize the potential for it to intersect with the hospitality industry. Consistent with our commitment to responsible business practices and support for the communities we call home, Hyatt has implemented numerous procedures and taken proactive steps to identify and prevent human trafficking, including sex and labor trafficking of adults and children, within our sphere of influence. We also support industry-wide initiatives, including The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)’s No Room for Trafficking campaign, a national awareness campaign to build on the industry’s ongoing commitment and work to end human trafficking. Along with the campaign, AHLA established their 5-Star Promise for member organizations to enhance policies, trainings and resources, for which Hyatt was one of the original signatories.   

What initiatives has Hyatt implemented in terms of anti-trafficking efforts?

Hyatt has taken key steps to combat human trafficking, starting with resources for our global colleagues.  In 2011, we engaged Polaris Project, a global nonprofit organization that combats human trafficking and provides assistance to victims, to develop a comprehensive training program for Hyatt colleagues, This teaches colleagues to understand the issue, helps them to identify indications of a potential trafficking situation and guides them through Hyatt’s process for reporting it.

Human trafficking training is a brand standard for all Hyatt hotels, including franchisees, and is available in 12 languages. These training modules are integrated into orientation for new hires at Hyatt’s managed properties, are a part of mandatory compliance training for key functions, and are made available to our franchise partners who must offer this or another equivalent training. Additionally, an enhanced version of the training for global security teams is in place to equip them to work with potential victims and authorities when a situation is reported. We continuously update our training as the indicators for trafficking continue to change.  

In addition to colleague training, Hyatt complies with the U.K. Modern Day Slavery Act,  supports the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign to end human trafficking, and was among the first hospitality brands to sign the End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT) Code of Conduct (The Code) in 2015. In 2018, Hyatt became a supporter of Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s Principles of Forced Labor, through which hotel companies agree that every worker should have freedom of movement, no worker should pay for a job, and no worker should be indebted or coerced to work.

Why is it important for others in the hotel industry to get involved with anti-trafficking work?

It’s critical that the hospitality companies maintain one united voice on global issues like human trafficking and participate in actions and initiatives that combat human trafficking. The risks of trafficking within our industry are ever-present and ever-evolving, and therefore, we must be closely connected in order to share information and resources in an effort to prevent trafficking from occurring. 

During your time in the private sector, how have you seen it evolve when it comes to raising awareness and preventing sex trafficking?

Over the past few years, the private sector has continuously taken steps to strengthen its commitment to combating human trafficking, such as requiring colleagues to take human trafficking training each year and evaluating supply chains and policies for areas of risk. There has also been greater collaboration between the private and public sectors in recent years, and having private sector support for initiatives like the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign to end human trafficking and the U.K. Modern Slavery Statement serves as another way to raise awareness of this issue. 

Based on your experience thus far, what gives you hope in terms of future work on this issue? 

Alongside the increase in industry-wide collaboration to raise awareness, it is inspiring to see hospitality companies continue to identify what more they can do to address human trafficking. As part of our RiseHY Opportunity Youth hiring program – which connects young people ages 16-24 who are neither working nor in school with employment opportunities in the hospitality industry – we collaborate with community-based organizations that help young survivors of trafficking. Through this work, we have the opportunity to help victims of trafficking, and young adults who are vulnerable to exploitation, drugs, and crime, envision a career path and gain the training and skillset needed to secure employment in the hospitality industry.

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