According to the Hotel Association of Canada, 2 of every 3 of accommodation businesses see labour issues as a significant business impediment.
The “Great Resignation” is a very real issue, and the hospitality industry has been hit harder than most. Because of the high staff turnover, many businesses are constantly in a state of recruitment.
What does this have to do with your hotel’s interior design?
A lot, as it turns out. When you design your space to create a labour-friendly environment and consider the needs of your staff, you can create a space that is comfortable and efficient. This will help to keep your staff happy and reduce hospitality job vacancies.
In this article, we will dive into this concept and explain how Lesley Wong Interiors considers not only the aesthetic of your hotel but also how it will function for your staff.
Our Design Process and Hospitality Job Vacancies
We believe that good design should always take into account the people who will be using it. After all, they are the ones who will be living with your design on a daily basis! We take a holistic approach to our design process, and this includes understanding how your staff will interact with the space.
For example, when we design a hotel, we are not only speaking to management about the design. We speak to employees at different levels and departments to get a sense of their needs and how they see the space.
This allows us to design a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional for your staff.
Clean Designs = Efficient Designs
We love clean designs – which means designs that are free of clutter and unnecessary elements.
Turns out, so does your cleaning staff! With COVID-19 bringing cleanliness to the forefront of your guests minds, your cleaning staff has never been under more pressure.
That’s why we design with cleanliness in mind. We create spaces that are easy to clean and maintain so that your staff can do their jobs efficiently.
We also take into account the materials we use in our designs. Textured and porous surfaces may have their place, but they are much more difficult to keep clean. A smooth countertop can be sanitized without leaving germs behind. Cleaning standards will also influence the type of textiles that we select since they will also need to be simple to maintain.
The average hotel room takes 45 minutes to clean. But with a well-designed space, that time can be reduced! Your staff can get more done in less time, with less pressure.
Happy Staff = Happy Guests (and vice-versa)
It’s no secret that happy employees lead to happy guests. When your staff is comfortable and efficient in their work, they will provide better service. This will be visible to your guests, who will have a positive experience at your hotel.
And when your hotel is providing a safe, clean space for your guests, they will have fewer complaints. What a gift for your front-facing staff!
Also, we all know that happy guests are more likely to come back and recommend your hotel to others!
Creating a labour-friendly design is not only good for your staff, but it’s also good for business. At Lesley Wong Interiors, we take this into consideration with every project we take on, no matter the size.
When you are ready to take your hotel’s design to the next level, we would love to chat with you about how we can create a space that is both beautiful and functional for your staff. Contact us today to get started!
