A TikTok user named Damaris Ferrell held nothing back in a recent video where she spoke about what many housekeeping staff in hotels prefer not to disclose.
"Housekeeping doesn't take weekends off; we never rest on weekends," she said firmly at the beginning of her remarks, explaining that Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days, marked by exhausting shifts and a physically demanding workload. "We're assigned about seven double rooms, not counting the regular ones, and the guests always use both beds, so it becomes quite overwhelming," she added. @dmaris.ferrell—who, based on online information, lives in Texas—shared that sometimes even her colleagues struggle to keep up with the volume of work.
The creator, who regularly shares content about her work experiences, also highlighted the difficulty many face in requesting a day off. "When we want to take a break, we almost have to beg for a weekend," she noted with frustration.
The video, ironically titled "What We Silence in Housekeeping," not only garnered thousands of likes but also sparked a wave of comments from women who resonated with its message. One user remarked, “I’ve been working for 20 years and I don’t have a Sunday off,” while another shared, “Sometimes on Sundays I have to clean up to 18 rooms and we leave at 10 PM.” Many agreed that weekends are the most exhausting days, but also the most ungrateful: “The rooms are left extremely dirty, and they don’t even leave a tip,” noted another commenter.
The conversation became more intense when some hotel workers discussed favoritism and privileges. "Only the boss's favorites get to take weekends off, and that's if they want to," wrote one user. Meanwhile, another expressed that "no one speaks up because those who complain are pressured until they leave on their own."
Damaris did not shy away from the topic, responding with sarcasm to one of the criticisms: "Some say that I complain too much, but staying quiet changes nothing." The creator hopes that her testimony will highlight the working conditions many face and the difficulty of speaking out without fear of reprisals.
Frequently Asked Questions about Housekeeping Work in Hotels
Why do housekeeping workers not have weekends off?
Housekeeping workers do not take weekends off because these are the days of highest activity in hotels. During these days, the workload is intense, as guests tend to use the facilities more, which increases cleaning duties.
What challenges do housekeeping workers face when requesting days off?
Requesting days off can be complicated for housekeeping staff due to high demand on weekends. Often, they have to plead or deal with favoritism to get time off, leading to frustration and a challenging work environment.
How do housekeeping workers perceive the treatment they receive from clients?
Many housekeeping workers believe that weekends are the most thankless days. Guests often leave the rooms very dirty and rarely leave tips, which exacerbates the physical and emotional effort required for the job.
¿Qué impacto tiene hablar sobre las condiciones laborales en el sector de housekeeping?
Discussing working conditions can be risky for housekeeping staff, as facing reprisals is a real possibility. However, doing so helps to shed light on the issues and can motivate changes in the workplace environment and public perception.
What role do social media play in giving a voice to housekeeping workers?
Social media platforms like TikTok have become an important avenue for housekeeping workers to share their experiences and work-related challenges. This has allowed for the creation of a community where workers can support one another and raise awareness about their issues, aiming to foster positive change.
Filed under:
