Hyatt to Honor Human Rights Day by Launching Global Training Program to Combat Human Trafficking

Continually recognized as a “Best Place to Work,” Hyatt aims to educate associates on importance of upholding human rights in daily lives, communities and the workplace

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hyatt celebrates Human Rights Day today by highlighting Hyatt’s commitment to respecting fundamental human rights, as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To mark Human Rights Day, Hyatt is advancing its campaign against human trafficking by launching a global training program for company associates developed in conjunction with the Polaris Project, an organization dedicated to combating human trafficking.

“It’s about finding ways for our associates to relate in unique and personal ways to people of all nationalities and walks of life, whether they are guests, co-workers, business partners or members of the community.”

The program is designed to provide managers and line staff at Hyatt hotels around the world with an understanding of human trafficking, its intersection with the hotel industry and the tools to recognize and report potential situations or victims.

“At Hyatt, we want to ensure our associates know how they can help prevent human trafficking,” said Brigitta Witt, VP of Corporate Responsibility, Hyatt. “The training course further bolsters Hyatt’s support for human rights and raises everyone’s sensitivity to this critically important issue,” she said.

This commitment to human rights is aligned with Hyatt’s core values and is supported by its publicly available Human Rights Statement, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Supplier Code of Conduct, and its Diversity and Inclusion strategy.

Hyatt established Diversity and Inclusion as a core tenet of its U.S. operations more than 20 years ago. Since then, a growing number of programs strive to foster similar ideals and challenge associates to lead by example by embracing diversity and inclusion through associate training, recruiting and retention, as well as bringing our suppliers and developers into the fold.

“At Hyatt, our mission is to provide authentic hospitality by making a difference in the lives of the people we touch every day,” Witt said. “It’s about finding ways for our associates to relate in unique and personal ways to people of all nationalities and walks of life, whether they are guests, co-workers, business partners or members of the community.”

Consistently recognized as one of the top places to work across the country, last month, the Human Rights Campaign once again recognized Hyatt as one of the best places to work for LGBT Equality, granting the company a 100 percent rating on its 2013 Corporate Equality Index for the ninth consecutive year.

Additionally, Hyatt’s employee network groups promote basic business networking of Hyatt colleagues who share a common cultural heritage, race, gender, age or interest. These groups and other initiatives have resulted in countless awards and accolades in recognition of Hyatt’s commitment to a diverse workplace.

Most recently, Hyatt was selected as the No. 2 place to work in Chicago in the Chicago Tribune’s “2012 Top 100 Workplaces” list following a survey of Chicagoland associates from eight area hotels and the company’s corporate headquarters.

From Baltimore to Orlando, from Chicago to Austin, and from Denver to Santa Clara, Hyatt hotels are among the “Best Places to Work” and are continually recognized as a leader in promoting and nurturing a diverse workforce.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company's subsidiaries manage, franchise, own and develop hotels and resorts under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place® and Hyatt House^TM brand names and have locations on six continents. Hyatt Residential Group, Inc., a Hyatt Hotels Corporation subsidiary, develops, operates, markets or licenses Hyatt Residences^TM and Hyatt Residence Club^TM. As of September 30, 2012, the Company's worldwide portfolio consisted of 496 properties in 45 countries. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.