I miss “my” housekeepers. Many hospitality companies have stopped spending on just about everything, including Cal/OSHA MIPP Compliance, until occupancy rates rise to a more sustainable level. But that cannot happen until people start traveling more for both business and personal reasons.
A year ago the unemployment rate in Leisure & Hospitality was 5%, in April 2020 it was nearly 40%, and last month it was 21% (US Bureau of Labor Statistics.) Since housekeepers comprise a large majority of the employees in hospitality, they have been hit even harder as an occupational group.
Over two years ago I developed Ergo Tuck® to help protect housekeepers from needle sticks (and to help them make beds easier and better.) And since the spring I have been working on ways to help the industry manage its risks. To help get travelers traveling again–and housekeepers “housekeeping” again, because when people are not traveling there is a massive (and negative) impact across nearly all industries..
One thing I know, however, is that our hospitality assessments help the industry do more than just “comply” with regulations. Our assessments help our clients find–and address–things like hazardous materials management violations, electrical fire safety problems, general liability risks. We also help them find ways to get rooms cleaner faster, while making housekeepers safer.
The work we do for housekeepers and the industry is not just about getting rooms clean. It is about making work safer, peoples’ lives better, and providing a better guest experience.
To get everyone back to work in hospitality and other, complementary businesses, risks from COVID-19 must be managed. We are working on several additional things to help make this happen. Stay tuned!
