Staff and Supplier Safety is Paramount: How We’re Protecting Our Team with Body Cameras
At Reliance Retreats (formerly South Devonshire Holidays), we pride ourselves on delivering a high standard of service not only to our valued guests but also in how we treat and protect our team. For years, our focus has rightly been on keeping our holiday homes clean, presentable, and enjoyable. But one thing we hadn’t truly anticipated was the increase in hostile or aggressive behaviour from a small minority of guests, which has impacted our housekeeping and operational staff in ways we can no longer ignore.
The Hidden Challenge Behind the Smiles
Our team is made up of hardworking, passionate people who genuinely care about guest satisfaction. Yet over time, both Shireen and Lucy—two of our highly valued Devon Cleaning Company housekeepers—have experienced deeply unpleasant and at times aggressive confrontations with guests. These incidents have included verbal abuse, intimidation, and behaviour that made them feel deeply uncomfortable and unsafe. The psychological toll has been real, resulting in shaken confidence and an understandable hesitation about returning to certain lodges, even just to respond to feedback.
Unfortunately, they’re not alone. Karl from Haulfryn Finlake Security, who we’ve worked with closely, has also experienced similar behaviour during his duties with Haulfryn guests. Whether it’s dealing with noise complaints, damage reports, or attempting to support guest queries, sometimes people forget that we’re all just trying to help. We’re not here to fight—we’re here to ensure everyone has a pleasant, safe, and relaxing stay.
Taking Meaningful Action: Body Cameras Now in Use
As part of our commitment to staff wellbeing, we’ve now invested in SRIKEKL Ultra HD 1440P Body Cameras for frontline team members. These high-resolution devices are worn discreetly but visibly by:
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Shireen and Lucy (Devon Cleaning Company)
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Amy (Customer Relationship Manager)
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Mark (Maintenance team)
- Jason (Senior Management)
The cameras offer real-time audio and visual recording and will automatically capture every interaction during property visits, maintenance jobs, or guest support calls. This simple but powerful step is a game changer in how we protect our staff while maintaining transparency with guests.
Why This Matters: Safety, Accountability & Confidence
These cameras are not about catching people out—they’re about protecting our people. Abuse is never part of the job description, and no one should feel unsafe while simply doing their work. The presence of a body camera acts as both a deterrent for bad behaviour and a source of truth when incidents arise. There’s no need for “he said, she said” anymore—everything is recorded, reviewed, and resolved fairly.
For staff, this means confidence to return to properties without fear. It empowers them to do their jobs fully, knowing their wellbeing is safeguarded. For guests, it ensures full transparency. If there’s an issue with a property or service, it can be resolved with calm communication and, if needed, verifiable evidence of what occurred.
A Culture of Respect
We’re in the business of hospitality. That means creating relaxing, joyful spaces for our guests—and a respectful, safe environment for the people who make those experiences possible. The introduction of body cameras isn’t about distrust; it’s about ensuring that the high standards we expect from our team are met with equal standards of treatment from those we serve.
Moving Forward
Our message is simple: we will always put the safety and dignity of our staff first. By adopting tools like the SRIKEKL body cameras, we’re taking proactive, positive steps to support our team. We’re proud of Shireen, Lucy, Amy, Jason, Mark, and everyone who works tirelessly behind the scenes—and we stand beside them.
We thank all guests and owners for treating our team with kindness and respect. And want our team to know: their safety, comfort, and confidence matter to us just as much as those of the guests you serve.