Employee Health & Safety

All properties, buildings, and operations managed by Xanterra Travel Collection companies are now operating under a mandatory face-covering requirements for all guests and employees in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people.  Our facilities are open to the public and therefore this rule applies in all guest and employee areas, with exemptions for employees in their own dorm rooms. Guests and employees must wear masks in all indoor public areas such as buildings, lobbies, dining establishments, retail stores, activities, outdoor patios, and areas where social distancing is not possible.

Some have asked for an exemption from the mask requirement on the basis that they have a disability that prevents them from wearing a mask for their own health. We sympathize with those in this situation; however, we do not make exceptions to this policy for those with a disability. This is because the mask rule is for the protection of employees and other guests. There are no exceptions to this rule at this time so that we can help control the spread of COVID-19 and keep all guests and employees as safe as possible.

You are welcome to bring your own (CDC) approved face coverings.

• Homemade face coverings should not contain any offensive language or images. Plain or company branded face coverings are permitted. Human Resources and Operations personnel will help give guidance on this if there is a question.
• Cloth face coverings should be clean for each shift. They should be doubled over and cover both the nose and mouth.

• • Employees without their own (CDC) approved face coverings will be provided masks. These will be available in HR upon the employee’s arrival. They will also be distributed via the Housing office to those already in company housing.

Social distancing and frequent hand washing are the biggest lines of defense. Face coverings do not take the place of either of those important components. We must also resist the temptation to touch our face or the face covering. Thank you for helping us all do our part!

A daily temperature screening will be required prior to starting each work shift.

We are currently offering FREE asymptomatic COVID testing to employees and last summer offered surveillance testing. 20-50% of COVID carriers are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic, which increases the potential of unintentionally spreading the virus to others. That is why weekly asymptomatic testing is an important part of COVID precautions. Drop by your local HR office to take a test – it only takes about 15 minutes and does not involve objects up the nose! This short video will give you an idea of the process. Most important – no eating or drinking thirty minutes prior to the test.

Employees that are symptomatic should not go to work and immediately contact their supervisor and the local clinic regarding testing.

Employees are required to quarantine if:

• An employee has had close contact with someone who is known to have COVID-19 or who is suspected of having COVID-19.
• An employee attended a group event or function where social distancing was not possible or was not practiced (e.g., sporting event as a participant on a team or as an observer, indoor or outdoor concert, rally or parade, funeral, etc.).
• An employee has traveled internationally within the last two weeks. Note that states/regions /jurisdictions change domestic and international travel quarantine requirements periodically.

We are taking all reasonable efforts for social distancing. However, we are not able to always assure an environment where that is possible at all times. Team members are encouraged to help maintain social distancing efforts when they are able to and are expected to observe community safety standards including, but not limited to:

• Refraining from large gatherings, and any gatherings in common areas/dorm rooms
• Hiking only on open and maintained trails
• Frequent hand washing and sanitizing
• Covering coughs and sneezes
• Cleaning and disinfecting your residence
• Wearing face coverings

Xanterra is exercising increased vigilance in cleaning public spaces and disinfecting hard surfaces at all of our operations including but not limited to lobbies, registration, restrooms, counters, furniture, room keys, elevators, telephones, guest check-in areas, food outlets, cash registers, and tour vehicles. Our operations use cleaning products and protocols that meet EPA guidelines and are approved for use as a suite of solutions effective against viruses, bacteria, and other and bloodborne pathogens. Our Corporate Supply Chain Management Team is working with our vendors, distribution partners, and suppliers to ensure an uninterrupted supply of these cleaning supplies.

Hand sanitizer dispensers, touchless whenever possible, will be placed at key guest and employee entrances and contact areas such as reception areas, hotel lobbies, restaurant entrances, and exercise areas.

We are very excited about your arrival at Yellowstone National Park and have been working hard to make sure you are provided with safe working conditions. To that end, we would like to share some of the expectations that have been put into place to help maintain a healthy working environment for all.

• We are asking our new hires and returning employees to complete a Health and Travel Declaration prior to departing for the park and at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled arrival date. 
  • The Travel and Health Declaration form will be emailed to you in advance of your arrival.
• Travel to Yellowstone National Park must be done in a safe and health-conscious manner. Please practice social distancing and prevention hygiene while you travel. Individuals considered at higher risk for severe illness as defined by the CDC should consider their risk factors before traveling to the park to work in the hospitality industry during a pandemic.
  • When requested, transportation between Bozeman to Gardiner will be provided. We will require employees to wear face coverings and we will practice social distancing of 6 feet so, we are limiting the number of employees per transportation vehicle.
  • Those traveling via our transportation will be required to pass a temperature screening prior to boarding.
• A temperature screening will be conducted prior to check-in at Gardiner Human Resources. Face coverings are required while processing through Human Resources and the Uniform Room, while at work, and while on property in communal areas.
  • We encourage you to bring and utilize your own face covering.
  • Employees without their own (CDC) approved face coverings will be provided surgical masks as a temporary use.

For more information on arrival and check-in procedures, please reach out to Human Resources.

Training is a critical component of your experience as an employee in Yellowstone.  Our training can be described in two areas: universal training and job-specific training.  Universal training covers a wide variety of topics that are common to all departments.  Job-specific training will go into the nuts of bolts of your daily work in Yellowstone, which will include the processes and procedures that have been developed with your safety and the safety of our guests, in mind.

• Face coverings will be required to be worn during training.
• Class size will be limited to what current regulations allow and participants will be spaced appropriately. Where possible, online training will be made available in an effort to reduce class sizes.

For more information on training, please reach out to your manager or the Property Trainer.

The National Park Service has mandated that, for the time being, company housing will be limited to one resident per room.

• No guests will be allowed in employee residences.
• Groups of 10 people or less will be allowed in public spaces if there is adequate space for 6 feet of separation between them and face coverings must be worn.
• Some locations may include dorms with communal restrooms.  This is done in accordance with recommendations and approval from the NPS and our public health officials.

For more information on housing, please reach out to your Residence Coordinator or HR/Housing Manager.

The Employee Dining Room (EDR) is open for seasonal employees to come and get their meals to-go or dine-in.

• Everyone must wear a face covering while picking up their food in the EDR. This includes waiting in line, at the service counter, in the beverage area, and exiting.
• Social distancing must be maintained while in the EDR.
• Only 2 employees allowed at the serving line at one time.
• Employees are encouraged to let their server know when dining in to serve you on an EDR tray and cut down on paper waste.
• Only 1 employee at a time in the beverage area
  • Employees are required to use a new, clean disposable cup for every beverage.
  • Refills must also be in a new, clean disposable cup every time.
  • Employees are not allowed to fill personal drink bottles or cups.
• Employees are encouraged to let their server know when dining in so we can serve you on an EDR tray and cut down on paper waste
• Please do not move tables or chairs in the dining area – even if you are traveling with someone.
• Sanitize table area after use
• Until further notice, only seasonal employees living in company housing or paying for the meal plan will be allowed in the EDRs (unless their job requires it i.e., maintenance).
• All EDRs will be “closed” dining facilities (which means that the EDR is only open to employees of that location).

For more information on employee dining, please reach out to your Employee Dining Room Manager.

Employee Pubs

Mammoth, Canyon, Lake, and Old Faithful Pubs will be take-out only.  Hours and menus will vary by pub.

The Recreation Department is developing a comprehensive set of policies and protocols to enhance safety for employees while they are using recreation facilities and services. For more information on employee recreation, please visit YCERPs website.