About Hotel Housekeeping
Housekeeping is the single biggest cost center for the typical hotel, at about 50% of the total expense budget. Within housekeeping, one task is the most critical and the biggest time user, at about 50% of the time spent per guest room. It is bedmaking. Hotel bedmaking makes up as much as 25% of the entire expense budget of the typical hotel, because it is one of the main yardsticks by which hotels are evaluated by their guests upon arrival. Guests demand beautifully made beds, that are attractive and inviting, adorned with sparkling white linen and well stuffed pillows, with no creases, no uneven edges, and hospital-style corners.
Almost half a million Americans work as maids and housekeepers (also called “room attendants”) in the US hotel industry. Unfortunately, housekeeping is one of the most dangerous occupations. Studies have shown that hotel housekeeping is more dangerous than coal mining and construction. This is because most housekeeping work involves lifting heavy mattresses, and pushing, pulling, and twisting while in low or awkward body positions. Consequently, housekeepers stay on the average only 2.5 years on the job before quitting, mostly due to the pain and injuries sustained on the job. This is less than even the average play life of NFL football players (3.3 years). As a result, it is now increasingly difficult to find candidates for hotel housekeeping jobs. At the same time, the hourly pay has increased dramatically over the past few years due to the shortage of workers willing to subject their bodies to the pain, stress, and strain exposed to in hotel housekeeping.