This is the communication that went out to employees this morning.
To All Employees:
Today our company is announcing that beginning in the 2009/2010 season, all employees will be required to wear a helmet while skiing, riding or snowmobiling during work. This was not an easy decision and both of us are intimately aware of the wide range of reactions that will likely result. However, we can assure each of you that this decision was not made lightly and was made after extensive discussion amongst the leadership team with input from numerous parts of the company including our guests. We have also been watching the behavior of our guests, the views of numerous doctors and the usage of helmets in other sports. While we are not sure there is one “answer”, we are very confident that this is the right decision for our company at this time.
The first question you will likely have is why? First and foremost, this decision is all about safety. One of our core values is protecting both our employees and our guests from injury. While there can be much debate about to what extent helmets offer protection, we have concluded that people are safer, at least to some degree, when wearing a helmet. And our conviction is even stronger about kids, where helmet usage is becoming almost universal. For many years, resorts have allowed employees to prioritize personal preference and comfort over the additional protection a helmet provides. We strongly believe that adult skiers should continue to have that right, including our employees when they are skiing or riding for recreation. However, we believe the time has come for our company to take a higher and more visible position when we are at work. Therefore, we will require our employees to set aside some of their own personal preferences to improve their overall protection and, equally important, to set an example of safety for our guests of all ages.
While many of us still remember the NHL implementing mandatory helmets in the early 80s, the cycling industry is probably a better comparison for our sport. We have all watched over the past 20 years as helmet usage has grown to the point where it is uncommon to see anyone riding a bike without one. Does that mean cycling is dangerous? No, but it does mean that people can have fun while being smart about it. Even at the professional level of cycling, where riders sometimes spend 5 hours in blistering heat, helmets have become required. We believe the race organizers both care about the riders themselves and are sending a message to cycling fans about the importance of helmet use. This is the same responsibility that all of us have as role models to the kids and adults that visit our resorts. As a Vail employee, wearing a helmet while skiing or riding in uniform will make a significant positive impression upon our guests.
There are many details that will continue to be worked out that relate to this new policy. For now, everyone should know that the Company will be covering the cost to ensure that anyone who is required to ski, ride or snowmobile for work will have the use of a helmet.
Employees will also be able to purchase and wear their own helmet, so long as it is approved for skiing.
Finally, we realize this is a significant policy change and felt that it was very important that we communicate this news before many of you depart for the off-season. While change is never easy, we strongly believe that it is the right thing to do and hope that each of you will embrace our decision in an attempt to create the safest possible environment for both our employees and our guests.
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At ski areas and everywhere else!!
