Chronic Pain and Work Conditions of Hotel Housekeepers: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain of hotel housekeepers (HHs) and to describe the work conditions and perception of health in this occupational group in the Balearic Islands, Spain. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study with HHs of the Balearic Islands, performed in primary care. Random sample of HHs who worked during the 2018 season. We collected information on sociodemographic variables, job characteristics, workload, pain, perceived health, and physical activity. After participants signed the informed consent form, we conducted a face-to-face interview in the primary care centre and accessed the participants’ electronic health records. Results: 1043 HHs aged 43.3 ± 10 years and with 10.7 ± 9.1 years worked as HHs were included. 51% (95% CI: 48–54%) reported chronic pain, mainly in the lower back 28.7% (95% CI: 25.9–31.5%), hands/wrists 23.7% (95% CI: 21.1–26.4%), neck 21.6% (95% CI: 19.1–24.3%), shoulders 19.9% (95% CI: 17.4–22.4%), and back 17.8% (95% CI: 15.4–20.2%). Pain was associated with older age, more years worked, more beds made/day and difficulty in pushing the housekeeping cart. More than half HHs reported that they did not incorporate occupational risk prevention measures (ORPMs) into their routine; 17.3% (95% CI: 15.1–19.7%) HHs considered their health as poor or very poor. Perception of health was worse in HHs with chronic pain. Conclusions: A high percentage of HHs of the Balearic Islands reported chronic pain, a low compliance with ORPMs and compared to women of the same sociodemographic profile they perceive a worse health status.

Investigation of Working Conditions and Health Status in Platform Workers in the Republic of Korea

“…These characteristics seem to reflect the gender and low social positions of housekeeping managers. Although many studies have reported on hotel housekeeping managers [ 12 , 33 ], platform-based housekeeping managers, as examined in this study, were required to visit not only hotels but also any location requested by customers through the platform, which is a different concept from previous studies. Housekeeping managers in platform-based occupations are likely to engage in much more atypical labor as their workplace varies, exposing them to various types of violence due to the absence of employers to ensure their safety.…”

A Study of Ergonomics and Its Effect on the Housekeeping Employees

“…Mattresses which are heavy increase the occurrence of pain in some body parts. Sánchez-Rodríguez et al (2022) focused their study on 'Chronic pain and work conditions of hotel housekeepers' highlighted that pain was related with age, experience, pushing of the trolley and bed making. Joshi (2016) focused in their research on the 'Study of Relationship Between Ergonomics & Efficiency of the Housekeeping Employees at Workplace' that housekeeping work involves routine and repetitive work which easily leads to occupational injuries which have direct impact on the productivity of the staff.…”