Job quality and health conditions in the hotel industry: the case of housekeeping workers

Following a qualitative research design, the article investigates the world of high-end hotel housekeeping in Milan (Italy). On the one hand, the job quality and its impact on the health of workers are analysed through semi-structured interviews with housekeepers and the oral reporting of trade union officials and union delegates. On the other hand, the changes that occurred in the sector following the Covid-19 pandemic are investigated through semi-structured interviews with key informants. Results show that hotel housekeeping is a low-quality job, which negatively affects the physical and mental health of workers. The pandemic brought to light several negative aspects of the industry, and housekeepers experienced a further deterioration of their working conditions. Measures that could be implemented by hotel groups and cleaning companies to improve the job quality of hotel housekeepers are suggested.