Should I go public with observations about casino workers who don't wash their hands?

[Alan Mendelson]

I went to a different California casino tonight to check out their bathroom. Why? Because I'm putting together a report for this website about the "best" high limit bathrooms in Vegas -- and mentioning California casinos also makes sense.

Well, while I was in their high limit men's room I saw three casino workers -- two in uniform and one manager in a suit with a name badge -- using the urinals. And I couldn't help but notice that when they finished their business they zipped it and zipped out. In other words-- they didn't wash their hands.

I followed the manager out (he was last to leave) and while he didn't wash his hands he did stop at a "hand sanitizer device" and dabbed some of the alcohol-based fluid on his hands and rubbed his hands together. Frankly, I don't think that "counts" as hand washing after using a urinal.

I'd like to give these guys the benefit of the doubt -- but there is no doubt. They didn't wash and they went back to work handling money, making change and serving consumers, touching equipment, machines and stations.

And this isn't the first time it happened. I was at this same casino more than a year ago and saw the same thing happen with one uniformed worker. But tonight -- there were three workers.

Should I go public here or notify the casino first? I think I know what I'm going to do, but I would like to get some reaction.

But what happened tonight is why I am very careful in casinos to always wash my hands well after playing and after touching machines and keys and dice and cards and money. Players are equally as fault because I often see patrons not washing. And to think these players also pound on the same keys I'm hitting, and they touch the same dice and the money and blow on the dice.

Casinos are a dirty business-- literally.

[Alan Mendelson]

First, thank you for the private messages and emails.

After further consideration of your comments, I've decided not to publicly identify this casino. However, I am going to contact the public relations department there and let them know -- privately -- about what I observed.

Why am I not identifying the casino publicly? Because at the same time that casino employees walked out of the restroom without washing their hands -- casino patrons (consumers, customers) -- also walked out without washing their hands.

So, the problem is not with this casino. The problem is with many people, so I think it is unfair to single out the casino employees in this case.

You have to be at least 21 years old to gamble in that casino -- as in most casinos. (Some do allow 18 year olds to gamble.) And I would hope that all people 21 years and older would have the good sense to wash their hands after using the restroom.

[Vegas Vic]

You should contact the casinos. While you are correct in saying that the problem is also with patrons who do not wash, they are not required to do so. Casino employees ARE.

All health regulations for restaurants require soap and water hand washing in conjunction with the sanitizer. The sanitizer alone will NOT remove the harmful bacteria regardless of what the manufacturers of hand sanitizers might claim.

[Alan Mendelson]

The only "California regulations" that I could find on the Internet referred to food handlers. These were casino workers who were either dealers or slot attendants and one manager (suit). Do you know of State regulations that apply to them? I do not know what the Casino's rules are. I did email the PR manager a short while ago and I will let you know what kind of response I get.

Just a few months ago there was an active "handwashing campaign" because of the flu. I am surprised that in a casino handwashing is not pushed by management to keep not only employees healthy -- but also patrons healthy so they can keep gambling.

[Vegas Vic]

Not having visited any casinos in California, I would still expect to see signage in restrooms that would state "Employees must wash hands" without distinction toward where they worked in the casino. Such a sign would indicate the casino's rule (regardless of State of California regulations) and therefore would be the standard and could even be a requirement by the county. Do you recall any signs posted?

[Alan Mendelson]

No, I did not see any signs in that restroom, but I must admit I wasn't looking for these signs either. So, they might have been there and I didn't notice.

I did contact the Director of Public Relations who told me they were concerned and asked if I could identify what department these workers were from -- dealers, slot techs, or another department? Since I was not a regular there I could not but I did rule out they were technicians because of the uniforms they were wearing and I did tell him approximately what time I was in that restroom.

I have to think that it is part of company policy that all employees must not harm the image of the casino -- and this certainly can be perceived as damaging the image of the casino.

[Alan Mendelson]

Here's a followup:

I visited a casino over the weekend and I did not see any signs in the men's rooms (two of them) about handwashing.

Late today I received this from the Public Relations Director at the casino where I observed the incident. I removed from his text information that might identify the casino. As I mentioned earlier, I think this is a problem that is not isolated to the staff of this single casino. Here is his email to me:

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I got a chance to speak with our Vice President of Human Resources, XXXXX, on Friday, who tells me that there is a policy about employees’ personal hygiene and this is definitely in violation of that. Obviously, without the names of the employees, we cannot address them personally. I have spoken with the top executives of the Table Games, Slots and Player Development departments and they will address this problem. They will be informing our team members during pre-shift meetings that they will face disciplinary action if they do not follow the personal hygiene policies.

I am truly sorry that this happened and yes, like yourself, it is hard to believe anyone goes to the bathroom without washing their hands in this day and age.

Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.

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