I know her well enough to know that she is a very hard worker. She frets if the hotel laundry room is not in order to her standards. Sheets have to be folded a certain way. Tubs must be spotless. She gets upset if someone forgets to vacuum under the beds.


And she still is thrilled when a guest leaves her a tip, no matter how meager.


As it turns out, her hotel was sold recently. She makes $10 an hour, has no health benefits and, in those nearly three decades, earned a whopping two weeks for vacation.


Guess what? The new owner is making her work an entire year before she can have one week off.


First of all, I am not some raving idealist calling for labor reforms. I was a business writer for more than a decade in York, where I covered labor issues, the economy and companies of all sizes, from Harley-Davidson Inc. to mom-and-pop shops. I understand the impact that too many taxes, rules and regulations can have on businesses.


I also understand that many businesses, particularly small business, simply cannot afford health insurance for their employees. (Fortunately, for my friend, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, her husband’s plan covers her.)


But taking away someone’s vacation, particularly someone who has worked at an establishment for that long — well, that’s outrageous.


It’s not only stingy, but defies common sense. A worker who has “a life” outside the workplace is a better worker. A well-rested worker is a better worker. A well-respected worker is a better worker.


I am fortunate to work for a company that cares for its employees on every level, from providing good benefits to offering wellness programs.


But I wonder how many people are out there who, like my friend, are treated as if their personal lives do not matter — that they don’t deserve a stretch of time off after so many years in the work force.


Of course, you laissez-faire classical economists out there will say: “Why doesn’t she just get another job?’’ That is not the point.


The point is about treating people decently, particularly in what seems to be an increasingly disparate economy in which the middle class is taking a beating while some people are making outrageous sums of money. Consider: it would take my friend more than 100 hours of dusting, vacuuming, folding and scrubbing tubs to pay for Madonna’s diamond-studded mink false eyelashes.


I just read that Microsoft’s Bill Gates’ worth exceeds Central America’s gross domestic product. And then here is my 53-year-old friend who who cannot have a vacation for another year.


So please, you employers out there trying to cut corners, consider the long term price you will pay when you lose good employees.


The rest of us should try to be generous with tipping those hotel housekeepers, like my friend, who work hard to make sure we have a pleasant stay and that there are no dust bunnies under the bed.




Patricia Poist is a staff writer for the Living section. Write to her at: ppoist@lnpnews.com blog comments powered by Disqus