One of the factors impacting why we choose one store over another is physical environment. A cluttered storefront with mismatched signage, dim lighting and dust bunnies on the floor doesn’t give the impression that products are good quality and prices are fair. Heading inside becomes a dubious prospect. So, if that’s the impact a store can have on you – which you would spend five minutes in – what impact do you think badly lit, badly furnished, and badly managed accommodation could have on a workforce that’s staying put for months on end?
According to home and design website Curbed, in the 1800s nurse Florence Nightingale was struck by some fundamentals that helped deliver the best therapeutic impact to her patients in their physical environments. These were sunlight, fresh air, clean drinking water and good sanitation. These fundamentals are still critical today – and whether it’s a remote camp or a bed and breakfast for your workforce – these basics should be in place.
It sounds simple enough, but if you cast your mind back to some of your own hotel experiences (or even the store example mentioned above), you’d be surprised how easily some of these basics aren’t upheld. Rooms backed into dark corners of buildings with synthetic light and wheezing aircons don’t necessarily ‘invite you in’ and allow you to get a good night’s rest. And when we’re talking tight timelines and workforces that need to rise early, rested and ready to put in the hours, this can have a massive impact on your project delivery date and overall budget.
The other worrying side of unsuitable accommodation is the impact it has on mental health and productivity. From research, exposure to overly harsh lighting is one of the leading causes of migraines, while prolonged exposure to cold temperatures leads to increased inaccuracy and environments that are too hot lead to lethargy. Difficult room layouts and excessive noise also lead to undue frustration. For a one- or two-night stay, these factors are negligible. But for three months? The wear and tear begins to show.
At iLodge, every remote project requiring workforce accommodation comes with a standard Service Provider audit, ensuring your workforce can rest easy.
Here’s what that means:
- We look to use tried-and-tested accommodation facilities that are pre-vetted to ensure your workforce is housed in appropriate, safe and standardised accommodation.
- For newly identified accommodation, vetting takes place in the form of a physical site inspection and a minimum safety, security and comfort check list. We’ve included a snapshot of that checklist for you below:
Is the floorspace suitable for the temporary cohabitation of two people?
Is there a floor covering that can be kept clean and hygienic, and that is also hazard free?
Do the walls have a uniform covering, and can they be kept clean and hygienic?
Does each room have at least one electrical outlet that can supply electricity to at least five people to charge cellular phones, clock radios, reading lamps or other small bedside appliances?
Does each room have an electrical light installed with the globe/tube/ diode in working order, and is it covered by an acceptable purpose-made light cover?
Does each room have at least one window that opens to the outside or to a well-ventilated corridor, that can be closed securely from the inside?
We have a 24/7 workforce support line, so that your workforce can speak to us if they have any complaints or issues.
The health, happiness and safety of your workforce is critical to project success. Ensuring their accommodation supports that is one of the first steps you need to consider.
