Occupational Health Challenges among Hotel Housekeepers
Downloads
Introduction: Hotel housekeepers face several occupational health hazards, including physical, emotional, and environmental stressors. These workers usually face various obstacles, such as physical strain, emotional stress, low income, etc. However, there has been minimal examination of these difficulties. This review aimed to investigate the occupational health challenges faced by hotel housekeepers. Method: A systematic review was carried out during August and September 2024, using databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. The search focused on research published between 2014 and 2024, including keywords such as "occupational health, health challenges, housekeepers." After selecting publications based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven relevant studies were chosen for analysis. The review adhered to PRISMA criteria to achieve a thorough examination of the selected literature. Results: In accordance to the review, housekeepers commonly face physical pain, worry, and stress as a result of their employment. Many people relied on medication to keep working, despite the difficulty of taking sick days owing to job uncertainty. Low wages, along with inadequate equipment, fueled perceptions of abuse. Housekeepers were also exposed to dangerous substances, which could pose health hazards. Discrimination and working stress were strongly associated with chronic health issues. Conclusion: Our present review indicates that housekeepers experienced four key hurdles, including workplace concerns, employment security, physical and mental health issues. To ensure employees' health and well-being, employers should address wage discrepancies, provide proper work equipment, limit exposure to harmful chemicals, and give mental health support.
Adams, M. et al. (2020) ‘Interventions to promote hotel workers’ health: A scoping review’, American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 63(12), pp. 1095–1103. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.23190
Owiti, R. A., Wandolo, M. and Kinuthia, T. (2024) ‘Work Environment of Housekeeping Employees on Job Performance, In 3-5 Star Hotels In Nairobi City County, Kenya Hospitality & Tourism Management’, African Journal of Emerging Issues (AJOEI), 6(11), pp. 119-129.
Andrade, M.S., Miller, D. and Westover, J.H. (2021) ‘Job Satisfaction Factors for Housekeepers in the Hotel Industry: A Global Comparative Analysis’, International Hospitality Review, 35(1), pp. 90–108. https://doi.org/10.1108/IHR-06-2020-0018
Assem, A (2023) ‘Causes of High Employee Turnover in the Jobs of the Hospitality Industry’, Proceedings International Conference on Business, Economics & Management for Sustainable Futuree3021-7784.
Baquero, A. (2022a) ‘Job Insecurity and Intention to Quit: The Role of Psychological Distress and Resistance to Change in the UAE Hotel Industry’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), p. 13629. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013629
Baquero, A. (2022b) ‘Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Customer Satisfaction: Relationship and Efficient Management’, Sustainability, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042011
Cardoso, V. de F., Moriguchi, C.S. and Sato, T. de O. (2024) ‘Sociodemographic, Occupational, and Health Profile of Brazilian Housekeepers and House Cleaners—A Hypothesis-Generating Study’, NEW SOLUTIONS: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy [Preprint]. https://doi.org/10.1177/10482911241276377.
Chela-Alvarez, X. et al. (2020) ‘Perceived Factors of Stress and Its Outcomes among Hotel Housekeepers in the Balearic Islands: A Qualitative Approach from a Gender Perspective’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(1), p. 52. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18010052
Chela-Alvarez, X. et al. (2022) ‘Hotel Housekeepers and Occupational Health: Experiences and Perceived Risks.’, Annals of occupational and environmental medicine, 34, e29. https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e29
Chela-Alvarez, X. et al. (2024) ‘Socioeconomic Determinants and Self-rated health among Hotel Housekeepers in the Balearic Islands (Spain)’, Frontiers in Public Health, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1390582.
Díaz-Carrión, R., Navajas-Romero, V. and Casas-Rosal, J.C. (2020) ‘Comparing Working Conditions and Job Satisfaction in Hospitality Workers Across Europe’, International Journal of Hospitality Management, 90, p. 102631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102631
Fakhry, B.W., Saad, S.G. and Ibrahim, Y. (2022) ‘Factors Affecting the Turnover of Entry-Level Employees in Housekeeping Department in Five Star Hotels’, International Journal of Tourism, Archaeology, and Hospitality, 2(1), pp. 3-16.
Giousmpasoglou, C. (2024) ‘Working Conditions in the Hospitality Industry: The Case for a Fair and Decent Work Agenda’, Sustainability, 16(19), p. 8428. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198428
Hsieh, Y.-C.J. et al. (2017) ‘Perceived Workplace Mistreatment: Case of Latina Hotel Housekeepers.’, Work (Reading, Mass.), 56(1), pp. 55–65. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-162467
Hsieh, Y.-C.J. et al. (2023) ‘Work Challenges and Health of Immigrant Hotel Housekeepers: Part 2.’, Workplace Health & Safety, 71(5), pp. 255–262. https://doi.org/10.1177/21650799221148678
Hultén, A.-M., Bjerkeli, P. and Holmgren, K. (2022) ‘Work-related Stress and Future Sick Leave in a Working Population Seeking Care at Primary Health Care Centres: A Prospective Longitudinal Study using the WSQ’, BMC Public Health, 22(1), p. 851. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13269-8
Jung, H.S. and Yoon, H.H. (2020) ‘Sexual Harassment and Customer-oriented Boundary-Spanning Behaviors’, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 32(1), pp. 3–19. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-10-2018-0790
Lin, J.-H. et al. (2022) ‘Cleaning in the 21st Century: The Musculoskeletal Disorders Associated with the Centuries-old Occupation – A Literature Review’, Applied Ergonomics, 105, p. 103839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103839
Lin, N. et al. (2021) ‘Occupational Exposure and Health Risks of Volatile Organic Compounds of Hotel Housekeepers: Field Measurements of Exposure and Health Risks.’, Indoor Air, 31(1), pp. 26–39. https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12709
Lu, L. and Chou, C.Y. (2020) ‘Protecting Job Performance and Well‐Being in the Demanding Work Context: The Moderating Effect of Psychological Detachment for Chinese Employees’, Applied Psychology, 69(4), pp. 1199–1214. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12216
Nimri, R. et al. (2020) ‘Realizing Dignity in Housekeeping Work: Evidence of Five Star Hotels’, Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism, 19(3), pp. 368–387. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332845.2020.1737770
Rosemberg, M-A. S. et al. (2019) ‘Stressors, Allostatic Load, and Health Outcomes among Women Hotel Housekeepers: A Pilot Study’, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 16(3), pp. 206–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2018.1563303
Sánchez-Rodríguez, C. et al. (2022) ‘Chronic Pain and Work Conditions of Hotel Housekeepers: A Descriptive Study’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), p. 3383. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063383
Sánchez-Rodríguez, C. et al. (2024) ‘Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Hotel Housekeepers and Cleaners: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis’, Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 69, p. 102890. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102890
Shapoval, V. et al. (2022) ‘Occupational Health and Safety of Immigrant Hotel Housekeepers.’, Workplace Health & Safety, 70(12), pp. 566–573. https://doi.org/10.1177/21650799221090712
Singh, A. and Singh, V.K. (2022) ‘The Impact of Ergonomic Practices on Housekeeping Employee Retention and Efficiency in Hotels during COVID-19 in India’, Turyzm/Tourism, 32(2), pp. 29–50. https://doi.org/10.18778/0867-5856.32.2.02
Sotrate Gonçalves, J. and de Oliveira Sato, T. (2020) ‘Factors associated with Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Heart Rate Variability among Cleaners – Cross-sectional Study’, BMC Public Health, 20(1), pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08928-7
U.S Bureau Labor Statistics (2024) Janitors and Building Cleaners/ , https://www.bls.gov/ooh/building-and-grounds-cleaning/janitors-and-building-cleaners.htm.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
In order to be accepted and published by The Indonesian Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Author(s) who submit an article should complete all the review process. The copyright of received articles assigned to the The Indonesian Journal of Occupational Safety and Health and Department of Safety and Health, Universitas Airlangga as publishers of the journal. The intended copyright includes the rights to publish articles in various forms (including reprints).
The Editorial Team of The Indonesian Journal Of Occupational Safety and Health and Department of Safety and Health strive to ensure that no errors occur in the articles that have been published, both data errors and statements in the article.
Users of this website will be licensed to use materials from this website following the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. No fees charged. Please use the materials accordingly.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attribution ” You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
NonCommercial ” You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
ShareAlike ” If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
How to Submit Articles in OJS
