With so much focus on wellness options within a hotel and the guests’ quality-of-life benefits, it’s easy to overlook one of the most critical elements: the staff. A happy and healthy staff will increase productivity and, in turn, the hotel’s ROI.
Not to mention, management will contend with fewer/less:
- Sick days
- Worker’s compensation claims
- Employee turnover
What can you do to enhance their well-being while they’re on the clock? Believe it or not, your choice of hotel furniture greatly impacts employees. Often times they interact with your hotel furniture more than anyone else - sometimes even more than guests.
1. Weight Considerations
Lifting heavy objects is one of the leading workplace injuries reported. Nearly 40 percent of missed work days are due to back and shoulder injuries.
In some cases, traumas from one-time overexertion have led to hospitalization. Other serious injuries take place with time and repetition.
A responsive hotel furniture casegoods manufacturer will review in detail size and weight specifications for each piece of furniture and their components. Custom furniture professionals can recommend adjustments to the design/construction to eliminate potential issues before the final order is placed.
2. Effective Handling
Injuries result from mishandling heavy or awkward furniture.
Design dressers, tables, and stands so their height reaches the “power zone” between the chest and thigh. Those who must move them (and heavy objects that rest on them) will appreciate the consideration for their strength and spinal alignment.
A more sensible design will ease the process for staff, who must regularly clean and maintain the furniture.
When design solutions aren’t feasible, staff need access to:
- Pallet jacks
- Dollies
- Suction devices
- Ramps
Sensible lifting and moving practices can prevent senseless injuries.
3. Materials
Consider the materials you’re using. Hardwood is heavier (and more expensive) than medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Both laminate and wood veneer options are easily used to cover MDF for a lighter end product that’s:
- Authentic
- Stylish
- Functional
- Durable
Furniture that is easy to maneuver and maintain will not only help your staff at their jobs, but also will result in fewer injuries.
4. Prohibit Harmful Chemicals
Chemicals used to paint, stain, and treat furniture can cause serious health and environmental hazards. The U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act controls the use of chemicals (some of which cause genetic defects) in furniture manufacturing.
Choose an experienced vendor that’ll know the risks and regulations.
5. Movement, Standing, & Posture
Roving hotel ambassadors and standing front-desk kiosks are just a few new-age hotel tech trends. In addition to pleasing guests with streamlined check-in and customer-service processes, they’ll also keep staff on the move.
