Our zero-tolerance approach to human trafficking reflects our deep commitment to human rights and the dignity of people everywhere. We have taken aggressive steps to combat human trafficking before it ever begins, as well as to help those who have been victimized by it.
Read Hyatt’s Human Rights Statement here.
Hyatt respects the fundamental human rights of all people, as embodied in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We manage our business in line with this belief and strive to foster similar ideas in those with whom we do business. These principles align with Hyatt’s purpose to care for people so they can be their best.
Through World of Care, we are committed to advancing human rights amongst our key stakeholders, including colleagues, guests, customers, owners and communities. We also value the human rights of indigenous peoples, persons of color, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, women, children and individuals experiencing religious or political persecution.
This commitment is aligned with our Company core values and is supported by both our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our corporate social responsibility and diversity, equity and inclusion strategies. Our Board of Directors oversees Hyatt executive officers and the management of the Company to ensure that our principles are consistently integrated across the Company.
We respect the human rights of our colleagues, including freedom from discrimination, forced or compulsory labor, as well as freedom of association. We have a long-standing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and remain dedicated to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all colleagues.
Elimination of Human Trafficking/Modern Slavery
Given the nature of our business and the complexity of issues surrounding slavery and human trafficking, we are sensitive to the existence of human trafficking, and we are committed to establishing actionable steps that help prevent the use of Hyatt hotels for trafficking and to raise awareness concerning such exploitation wherever Hyatt hotels are located.
We are committed to following all applicable employment related laws, including pay, overtime and work conditions, and ensuring that Hyatt is a place where people can be their best. Hyatt also operates in accordance with the UK Modern Slavery Act of 2015, and our separate UK Modern Slavery Statement is accessible on our website.
In an effort to expand the hotel industry’s ongoing work to support human trafficking prevention and survivors, the Hyatt Hotels Foundation donated $500,000 to launch the “No Room for Trafficking Survivors Fund” in collaboration with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). With the donation, and further support from the industry, the Survivors Fund will equip community-based organizations with the resources they need to engage and support survivors – from direct financial support of their short-term, baseline needs to career-related support that can empower and equip them on their path forward.
Hyatt continuously assesses evolving human rights issues that have the potential to intersect with our business. Given the complexity of these issues, especially in a global context, we frequently collaborate with industry groups and experts to shape our knowledge and awareness of human rights. One group that Hyatt closely with is the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, where we are a leading member of the organization’s Human Rights working group. As part of this, Hyatt works with our industry peers to:
Additionally, Hyatt played a role in developing the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s Position Statement on Human Trafficking and supports the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s Principles on Forced Labour. Through participation in the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Hyatt works to gain insights and address potential risks related to human rights and forced labor in the industry. As a member of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Hyatt is working with a variety of international agencies to support ethical recruitment practices in the industry, including a hospitality working group in the Middle East.
Hyatt was also among the first hospitality brands to sign the End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT) Code of Conduct (The Code) in 2015, and supports the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign to end human trafficking.
Recognizing and knowing how to report the signs of possible slavery and human trafficking is a critical component of prevention efforts. Accordingly, Hyatt maintains slavery and human trafficking training programs in multiple languages. Modern slavery and human trafficking training is a brand standard for all Hyatt colleagues at all locations, including owned, managed and franchised hotels. Our human trafficking training modules are regularly revised to ensure they are kept current. Learn more in Hyatt’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement here.
We apply our values in our dealings with the companies with whom we do business through our owner, operator and supplier engagement, our Supplier Code of Conduct, and our supplier diversity program. Through collaboration with our North America purchasing company in 2021, we built on previous efforts and invited our suppliers of top ESG priority product categories in the region to participate in EcoVadis, a program that screens suppliers on a range of ESG criteria, including but not limited to labor and human rights.
