Hotel work often involves heavy physical labor. Those who earn a living working in California hotels may become used to feeling aches and pains as a result of their job duties, particularly if they work in housekeeping. Studies show that hotel workers, in general, face heightened on-the-job injury risks compared to other service-sector workers. However, hotel housekeepers suffer more work injuries than any other type of hotel worker.
Per UNITE HERE, a study of more than 600 hotel housekeepers revealed information about just how hard on the body hotel housekeeping work is.
Housekeeper injury rates
In the study, more than 90% of hotel housekeepers said they had experienced pain as a result of their job responsibilities. Close to 80% of hotel housekeepers also said the pain they developed due to work affected their quality of life. More than 65% of hotel housekeepers involved in the study also said they had to take pain medication to make it through their work days.
Housekeeper injury risks
Many hotel workers have limited time to turn a room over, which forces them to move quickly. Many hotels across California and the rest of the United States also lack adequate staff, placing even more of a demand on those who do show up to work. Cleaning hotel rooms may also require workers to lift heavy items or spend time on their hands and knees scrubbing floors, which may also compound injury risks.
Housekeepers who suffer on-the-job injuries should consider seeking prompt medical treatment to develop a better sense of the severity of their injuries.