Chicago hotel workers now equipped with 'Panic Buttons'

Thousands of hotel workers have a new way to protect themselves as a new city ordinance takes effect.

Alderman Michelle Harris joined local union leaders and hotel workers on Sunday to celebrate the ordinance known as “Hands Off - Pants On.”

The ordinance requires all hotels in the city to provide panic buttons for housekeeping staff.

"The panic buttons will be on their person so they can call for help or signal they're in danger,” said Karen Kent, President, Unite Here Local 1.

City Council passed the ordinance in October.  It came about after a survey found 58% of hotel workers say they had been sexually harassed by a guest and nearly half of housekeepers said they had a guest expose themselves, flash them or answer the door naked.

More than 5,000 hotel workers are expected to get the buttons.

Hotels that don't comply could possibly lose their license.