Tourism is the main economic sector in the Balearic Islands (Spain) and hotel housekeepers (HHs) are a large occupational group, in which stress is becoming a major issue. This study aims at exploring in-depth factors perceived as stressors by HHs and key-informants, and their effects on work-life balance (WLB). A qualitative design with phenomenological approach was used, conducting six focus groups with 34 HHs and 10 individual interviews with key-informants. Results were analyzed adopting the job demands-resources model and a gender perspective. High demands, e.g., work overload, time pressure, physical burden…, lack of enough resources and little control, derived from role conflict, unexpected events…, were the most important factors explaining HHs’ stress. Additionally, this imbalance was perceived as leading to health problems, mainly musculoskeletal disorders. Working schedule was mentioned as a facilitator to WLB, whereas an imbalance between job demands and resources led to work-home conflict, preventing them from enjoying leisure time. Multiple roles at work and at home increased their stress. HHs experienced their job as invisible and unrecognised. Regarding practical implications, our recommendations for hotel organization include reducing workload and increasing resources, which would improve the job demands-resource balance, diminish negative mental and physical outcomes and improve WLB.

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.

Chela-Alvarez X, et al. Ann Occup Environ Med. 2022 Oct;34:e29. https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e29

Introduction: Hotel housekeepers are close to being a 100% feminized occupational group in Spain. This fact, coupled with some features of the job, places them at high risk of sexual harassment at work and bullying in the workplace. This study aims to explore experiences of sexual harassment at work and workplace bullying among hotel housekeepers in the Balearic Islands. Second, it aims to describe and estimate the prevalence of both phenomena.Methods: This is a mixed-methods study. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants, and six focus groups were held with hotel housekeepers. Additionally, a quantitative cross-sectional study (n = 1,043) was undertaken.Results: Most participants in focus groups had been sexually harassed at work. However, they had normalized this kind of situations, not labeling themselves as victims of sexual harassment; and harassment events were seen as unimportant, normal, and unquestioned, as well as being part of their daily work. Hotel housekeepers who were sexually harassed indicated high levels of stress at work and low social support. The prevalence of different workplace bullying behaviors was quite high among hotel housekeepers working in the Balearic Islands. Some were associated with poorer self-rated health, less satisfaction with the job and the salary, lower social support, and higher levels of stress. Despite this, qualitative methods informed us that less severe behaviors were normalized and perceived by hotel housekeepers as intrinsic to their job.Discussion: The results show the high tolerance to less severe expressions of sexual harassment at work and workplace bullying, as well as difficulties in or reluctance to labeling this kind of experiences as such.

Background: Spain's lockdown measures couldn't prevent the severe impact of the COVID-19 first wave, leading to high infections, deaths, and strain on healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to explore the mental health impact on HCWs in the Balearic Islands during the initial months of the pandemic, the influencing factors, and the experiences of those in a COVID-19 environment. Methods: Using a mixed-methods approach, the study encompassed quantitative and qualitative elements. Cross-sectional survey data from April to June 2020 comprised HCWs who were emailed invitations. The survey covered demographics, work, clinical and COVID-19 variables, along with psychological distress and PTSD symptoms, using validated measures. Additionally, semi-structured interviews with HCWs offered qualitative insights. Results: Three hundred thirty-six HCWs averaging 46.8 years, mainly women (79.2%), primarily nurses in primary care with over 10 years of experience. Anxiety symptoms were reported by 28.8%, 65.1% noted worsened sleep quality, and 27.7% increased psychoactive drug usage. Psychological distress affected 55.2%, while 27.9% exhibited PTSD symptoms. Gender, age, experience, COVID-19 patient contact, and workload correlated with distress, PTSD symptoms, sleep quality, and psychoactive drug usage. Interviews uncovered discomfort sources, such as fear of infection and lack of control, leading to coping strategies like information avoidance and seeking support. Limitations: Static cross-sectional design, non-probabilistic sample, and telephone interviews affecting non-verbal cues, with interviews conducted during early pandemic lockdown. Conclusions: HCWs faced significant psychological distress during the pandemic's first wave, underscoring the necessity for robust support and resources to counteract its impact on mental health.

Tourism is a crucial economic sector in the Balearic Islands (Spain). COVID-19 pandemic might severely impact hotel housekeepers (HHs) due to their already precarious employment situation. The purpose is to assess the evolution of the concern about employment status, anxiety, and depression of HHs. This is a longitudinal study conducted with a subset of participants from a primary care, health promotion intervention study. Two additional visits were added (March–April and October–December 2020) for the purpose of this study. We recruited 290 HHs in March–April 2020; 237 were again interviewed during October–December 2020. In the first visit, high level of concern about employment was associated with age under 50, temporary contracts and external locus of control (LOC). Moderate–severe anxiety was associated with low social support and external LOC; moderate–severe depression was associated with low social support. Regarding the second visit, age, years working as HH, type of contract, social support, and LOC were not associated with concern about employment status, anxiety, and depression. There was a larger proportion of HHs with moderate–severe anxiety and depression among HHs with high degree of concern. Concern increased significantly among HHs: over 50 years of age; with more than 15 years in the job, a recurring seasonal contract and normal social support. After adjusting by age, type of contract, LOC, and social support, we found a statistically significant increase (12.0%) of HHs highly concerned about their job situation: compared to the first visit, HHs were 2.3 more likely to have a high degree of concern in December 2020. In contrast, increases in moderate–severe anxiety (0.3%) and depression (4.3%) between the two periods were not significant. In HHs, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant concern about employment status and symptoms of depression and anxiety. In the uncertain times of the pandemic, mental wellbeing benefits from variables that confer stability, such as internal LOC, perception of social support, and a stable job. Longitudinal results point at long lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. It is crucial to allocate additional resources in primary care to adequately address the anticipated influx of needs.