Housekeeping Regulations: How technology facilitates their implementation

In the dynamic world of hospitality in Spain, regulating workloads in the housekeeping department has become a priority, gradually being incorporated through provincial agreements. One of the key approaches to comply with these regulations has been the implementation of Time Studies, an essential technique for balancing labor demands fairly and equitably.

In the hotel sector, operational efficiency and employee well-being are key aspects for long-term success. In this regard, regulation plays a vital role in establishing standards that seek to balance labor demands with healthy working conditions. The implementation of innovative technologies is presented as an indispensable ally to carry out these improvements, facilitating management and ensuring more efficient compliance with these standards.

Regulatory Background

In Spain, the regulation of the workloads of room attendants is being incorporated into provincial agreements. These agreements require the implementation of Time Studies, a technique that measures work times and rhythms to determine the time required for each task, thus helping to adjust workloads fairly and equitably in hotel housekeeping departments, taking into account the variability and specificities of each task. 

To date, Time Studies have been incorporated into the Corporate Hospitality Agreements of 3 specific provinces: Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands), Gipuzkoa (Basque Country), and the Balearic Islands. 

This incorporation has been a journey marked by union pressure and initial resistance from some companies. In provinces like Santa Cruz de Tenerife, this active process since 2002 has led to more detailed evaluations and preventive measures. In Gipuzkoa, the Collective Accommodation Agreement has established specific measures, from time measurement to ergonomic risk assessment. The Balearic Islands, for their part, have led the way, taking a bold step towards protecting workers by addressing not only labor rights but also the specific working conditions in housekeeping.

As these regulations have been established in different provinces, there has been a need to intensify the evaluation of ergonomic and psychosocial risks, seeking to reduce workloads and ensure healthy working conditions. 

Technology: A Competitive Advantage

In the changing regulatory landscape of Spanish hospitality, efficient management of housekeeping workloads has become essential. Technology not only acts as a guiding beacon in this process but also stands as an invaluable ally to quickly adapt to new regulations, simplifying management and providing tangible benefits.

The speed with which technology can adapt to new regulations is an asset of incalculable value in a dynamic environment like hospitality. Traditional systems often require long implementation periods and adjustments, while technological solutions, like EISI HOTEL, can integrate regulatory changes quickly, allowing hotels to stay up-to-date without significant interruptions.

Additionally, the complexity of labor regulations can often be overwhelming. Technology not only simplifies adaptation but also continuous management. With intuitive interfaces and specific tools, like Point Allocation in EISI HOTEL, managing workloads becomes a transparent and efficient process. Managers or department heads can make adjustments, assess compliance, and make informed decisions with ease.

Not only does it provide speed and easy management, but it also offers additional benefits such as:

- Improved transparency: Technology provides complete visibility over workload allocation, promoting transparency and reducing potential misunderstandings or conflicts.

- Facilitation of compliance: Technological solutions not only adapt but also ensure continuous compliance by automatically incorporating regulatory updates and providing detailed records for audits.

- Personalized adaptability: Technology allows personalized adaptability to the needs of each worker, considering individual factors to ensure fair and respectful management.

Additionally, the combination of quick adaptation, easy management, and additional benefits not only complies with existing regulations but also boosts operational efficiency and improves staff well-being. Technology is not just a rule-follower but a catalyst for creating a work environment where prosperity is the norm.

How It Applies in Our Software

In this context, technology has emerged as a crucial ally. Legal regulations are a fact, and we must adapt to them as they arise. At EISI SOFT, we strive to provide our clients with the greatest ease in managing processes, as well as ensuring operational efficiency and staff well-being. In this case, EISI HOTEL has introduced Point Allocation within the Housekeeping module. 

Point allocation, implemented in EISI HOTEL, considers specific variables outlined in different agreements, such as cleaning type, occupancy, and additional tasks to provide a fair and efficient allocation of rooms. Additionally, a visual system facilitates the identification of the workload assigned to each worker, ensuring complete adaptability to individual needs.

Each worker can be individually configured, considering work hours, rest, and other personal factors, ensuring complete adaptability.

Equity and transparency are fundamental. With this advancement, we ensure fair distribution, eliminating the possibility of overload. With personalized management, we can consider individual needs and capabilities, fostering a respectful and efficient work environment.

Technology not only adapts to constantly evolving regulations but also redefines how companies approach and manage regulatory complexity in housekeeping. The speed, simplicity, and additional benefits provided by technology, such as those incorporated in EISI HOTEL, are not just strategic tools but also a testament to how innovation can be an essential partner in building a more efficient and equitable work future.

If you are interested in receiving more information, contact us or write to us at info@eisisoft.com

Find out more about what our Housekeeping module can offer you.

References: 

1. https://www.quironprevencion.com/blogs/es/prevenidos/estudios-tiempos-camareras-pisos-impacto-consecuencias 
2. https://www.ccoo-servicios.es/archivos/alojamientos-gipuzkoa-2024.pdf
3. https://porexperiencia.com/accion-sindical/reduccion-de-cargas-entre-las-camareras-de-pisos-en-el-sector-de-la-hosteleria-de
4. https://www.caib.es/pidip2front/adjunto?codi=2960382&locale=ca
5. https://ecaldima.com/adaptabilidad-tecnologica-la-tecnologia-como-herramienta-del-cambio/