Standing in Work

theteal · 31-05-2019 07:41AM

Most people working in retail would be on their feet all day (did it myself for years) but on the one spot would only be confined to a few minutes at a time. Stood on the spot for a longer period can be very uncomfortable - I was at an even that ran to about 4 hours recently and I was not far off hopping from one leg to the other towards the end of it.

Wasn't there a big faff about checkout workers back in the day? Not sure if it was legally established or anything but something along the lines of if you can do your work without moving they had to provide a chair. . .????

B0jangles · 31-05-2019 07:51AM

Dav010 wrote: »

That wasn’t what you implied in your post. You implied that customers are wrong to expect to be treated well and that the facilities are what matters.

Personally, I don’t care whether staff sit or stand, Ive been checked in by both. But as I said, that is secondary to the fact that the ops workplace has a standing policy which is the industry norm.

Expecting staff to stand at the reception desk all the time without any opportunity to sit is just one part of the whole 'treat the customer as royalty' concept. It is quite possible to give customers excellent treatment AND let the staff sit down sometimes. But that's not enough for some people. Those people equate good customer service with staff being serfs who exist only to do their bidding.

Those people should not be indulged. If management want staff to stand all the time, then they should lead by example.

No chairs in the manager's office.

Wanderer78 · 31-05-2019 08:49AM

Yea I'd start with a union, before everyone ends up with long term health issues, by then employers, past and present won't give a ****. Apparently sky kiosk workers aren't allowed seats either

FishOnABike · 31-05-2019 10:26AM

There are various styles of standing chairs available which are suitable for use when working at a standing desk if an employee is likely to have to stand in one place for an extended period.

If reception staff are on the constant move they may not need ergonomic support but if they a have to largely stand static at a counter for most of a shift it may result in occupational injury.

Standing in the one position for an extended period of time us the sort of stress position used in interrogation. I doubt any prolonged, unaided standing in one place for an extended period would pass a workplace ergonomic or health and safety inspection.

As a customer I'd much prefer to deal with a receptionist who is relaxed rather than someone who has to constantly shift from foot to foot to relieve a back or leg pain, and smile through it, towards the end of a long shift.

PhilOssophy · 31-05-2019 10:31AM

So, a problem with standing in work will be solved by joining a union.........be careful where you take your advice from OP.

AndrewJRenko · 31-05-2019 11:18AM

Dav010 wrote: »

The industry norm is to have high counters so that the guest doesn’t have to stoop to sign, can que and it’s faster in busy hotels.

Why would the industry norm be for a design that excludes a bunch of customers, particularly wheelchair users and little people?

And what do people need to be signing these days, when all payments are electronic or cash?

I can't see how high desks help queueing or make things faster?

rock22 · 31-05-2019 11:42AM

Dav010 wrote: »

If standing is the industry norm, what will a union do, quickly?

Perhaps get some chairs

The OP has already indicated that the practice of standing all day in affecting their health. A union would pursue any conditions which could have a negative affect on their members health.
My experience is that many hotels supply seating for reception and check-in staff - perhaps we stay at different hotels!

Sajid Javid · 31-05-2019 11:45AM

If you sit on it you cant swing on it.

rock22 · 31-05-2019 11:48AM

PhilOssophy wrote: »

So, a problem with standing in work will be solved by joining a union.........be careful where you take your advice from OP.

Trade unions were created to organise and support workers in achieving fair pay and condition of work. Why would you consider that they would not be appropriate in this case?

SusieBlue · 31-05-2019 11:50AM

lcstress2012 wrote: »

I work in retail in the airport and stand on my feet for 9 hours a day. The only time I sit down is on my break and I don’t complain!

I’m sorry but I’ve no sympathy for you, either bring in a chair or get another job. Simple.

There's a big difference between retail, where you are moving constantly therefore not stuck in the same position for long periods of time, and what OP has to do, which is basically stand stationary on the spot for 10 hours.

What OP has to do sounds very uncomfortable and unrelenting.
I used to work in hospitality for a number of years so would be used to being on my feet for long periods of time. I now work in a desk job, I had a task the other day that involved standing at the photocopier for just under 2 hours & my back was in bits after it!
So I can only imagine how painful a working day is for OP.

bobbyss · 31-05-2019 11:55AM

I couldn't stand an hour at a job. I often wonder how some women stand in high heels. Arthritis will follow.

OMM 0000 · 02-06-2019 10:08AM

bobbyss wrote: »

I couldn't stand an hour at a job. I often wonder how some women stand in high heels. Arthritis will follow.

My wife has to stand in her job for long hours (manager in a hotel) and even though she's allowed wear black sports shoes, her legs are still dead all the time.

Blueshoe · 02-06-2019 10:12AM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Why would the industry norm be for a design that excludes a bunch of customers, particularly wheelchair users and little people?

And what do people need to be signing these days, when all payments are electronic or cash?

I can't see how high desks help queueing or make things faster?

True. Everyone knows that 80-85% of hotel guests are in a wheelchair or are little people. 19% are actually both.

OMM 0000 · 02-06-2019 10:33AM

Dav010 wrote: »

Absolute rubbish. I travel a lot so I use tripadvisor a lot. The complaint most often made about Hotels is about customer service. If you are paying for a Hotel, you have a right to expect to be treated like a king/queen for the duration of your stay. No matter how nice the rooms are, poor customer service puts me off.

The industry norm is to have high counters so that the guest doesn’t have to stoop to sign, can que and it’s faster in busy hotels. Whether they have chairs for quiet times is up to the hotel, the debate about if they should or shouldn’t is secondary to the fact they don’t and that is the way the op and colleagues have worked and will continue to do so judging by what she posted.

It doesn't even need to be king/queen.

I'll settle for someone standing there looking at me, smiling, saying hello, and saying thanks.

Unfortunately this is not common.

I just checked out of a hotel a few hours ago and I said thanks, bye and she said nothing.

Her job is front desk agent. If she doesn't like people or doesn't understand what politeness is, she should change job.

AndrewJRenko · 02-06-2019 10:59AM

Blueshoe wrote: »

True. Everyone knows that 80-85% of hotel guests are in a wheelchair or are little people. 19% are actually both.

About one in six people in Ireland have some form of disability, or about a billion people worldwide. How many businesses can afford to turn off one in six of their potential customers?

Here's what smart hotel groups are doing to attract and accommodate this important customer segment:

https://www.scandichotels.com/contentassets/2ce6650a89b24e6e8e54e6ec8c14da49/accesibility-at-scandic_eng.pdf

https://www.scandichotelsgroup.com/en/accessibility-contact/

Blueshoe · 02-06-2019 11:32AM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

About one in six people in Ireland have some form of disability, or about a billion people worldwide. How many businesses can afford to turn off one in six of their potential customers?

Here's what smart hotel groups are doing to attract and accommodate this important customer segment:

https://www.scandichotels.com/contentassets/2ce6650a89b24e6e8e54e6ec8c14da49/accesibility-at-scandic_eng.pdf

https://www.scandichotelsgroup.com/en/accessibility-contact/

Wheelchairs we are talking about

AndrewJRenko · 02-06-2019 11:37AM

Blueshoe wrote: »

Wheelchairs we are talking about

No, we're not. We're talking about people who use wheelchairs, and people who use walking frames, and people who have broken a leg or twisted an ankle, and little people, and people with toddlers running around them.

Basically, we're talking about designing a facility that works for everybody, instead of designing to exclude some people. Why would you want to design to exclude customers?

Blueshoe · 02-06-2019 11:55AM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

No, we're not. We're talking about people who use wheelchairs, and people who use walking frames, and people who have broken a leg or twisted an ankle, and little people, and people with toddlers running around them.

Basically, we're talking about designing a facility that works for everybody, instead of designing to exclude some people. Why would you want to design to exclude customers?

When you build your hotel you get to make the decisions.
A high reception desk looks better. More high end. The only people who would be affected by this would be wheelchair users and little people. But I'm sure its not a problem. Staff can just tip around the outside to check them in. It's grand

cournioni · 02-06-2019 11:56AM

Good lord some people are such whingers. Stand up, and do your job. You’re being paid for it.

If you don’t like standing then look for another job. Simples.

Blueshoe · 02-06-2019 11:59AM

cournioni wrote: »

Good lord some people are such whingers. Stand up, and do your job. You’re being paid for it.

If you don’t like standing then look for another job. Simples.

Just tip into the toilet every now and then and play with the phone in the cubicle. Solved

OMM 0000 · 02-06-2019 12:00PM

cournioni wrote: »

Good lord some people are such whingers. Stand up, and do your job. You’re being paid for it.

If you don’t like standing then look for another job. Simples.

I think some people just think companies and managers are evil, and making people stand is "proof" of this.

Similarly, any guest who expects the front desk staff to be standing when they arrive are bad people. ("Want to be treated like a king").

I don't understand this mentality. Maybe I am the one who is wrong. I don't think so though.

AndrewJRenko · 02-06-2019 12:09PM

Blueshoe wrote: »

When you build your hotel you get to make the decisions.
A high reception desk looks better. More high end. The only people who would be affected by this would be wheelchair users and little people. But I'm sure its not a problem. Staff can just tip around the outside to check them in. It's grand

What happens to people with walking frames? Or people who are older and just tired after a long journey? What about parents carrying babies or trying to keep toddlers under control. How many people to do want to design out of your business?

More 'high end' because you say so? So the Scandic approach of a desk with high and low sections is some kind of 'low end' is it?

Have a listed to Sinead Burke's TED talk about how it feels to be lost behind a high desk and see if you think it's just a matter of 'tipping around'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD_SLJG7oi8

Blueshoe · 02-06-2019 12:12PM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

What happens to people with walking frames? Or people who are older and just tired after a long journey? What about parents carrying babies or trying to keep toddlers under control. How many people to do want to design out of your business?

More 'high end' because you say so? So the Scandic approach of a desk with high and low sections is some kind of 'low end' is it?

Have a listed to Sinead Burke's TED talk about how it feels to be lost behind a high desk and see if you think it's just a matter of 'tipping around'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD_SLJG7oi8

Walking frames? Old people? People with kids? Sure they don't have to climb up on the desk. It's not 6 foot high. The outrage is outrageous

Sinead Burke. Never heard of her. Who is she and why should I care?

Yeah the scandic crowd are cute out. Saving on raw materials is all they are up to.

AndrewJRenko · 02-06-2019 12:22PM

Blueshoe wrote: »

Walking frames? Old people? People with kids? Sure they don't have to climb up on the desk. It's not 6 foot high. The outrage is outrageous

Perhaps they might want to sit down after a long journey while checking in. Why would you think it is good business practice to make things difficult for your customers?

Blueshoe wrote: »

Sinead Burke. Never heard of her. Who is she and why should I care?

Try listening to the message. What does it matter who she is? You should care because you want your business to attract more customers instead of designing out customers.

Blueshoe wrote: »

Yeah the scandic crowd are cute out. Saving on raw materials is all they are up to.

They're attracting more customers. Why would you not want to attract more customers?

Here's a bunch of other tourist businesses taking the same design approach to attract more customers;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn7yiTgsJFs

Blueshoe · 02-06-2019 12:24PM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Perhaps they might want to sit down after a long journey while checking in. Why would you think it is good business practice to make things difficult for your customers?

Try listening to the message. What does it matter who she is? You should care because you want your business to attract more customers instead of designing out customers

They're attracting more customers. Why would you not want to attract more customers? It's not just the Scandics that are onto it. Here's the cute folks in Westport jumping on the same design approach to improve their business;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEjHHt3CDrc

You can put a stool beside the reception desk.

I still don't care who she is

Probably a cheap place to stay.

Bottom line is you are just looking to be outraged about something and want to argue your point. The problem is I don't really care about you or your opinion so it's just going to keep going and going.
I do have all day to argue with you but I genuinely don't care about your opinion so try someone else.

AndrewJRenko · 02-06-2019 12:33PM

Blueshoe wrote: »

You can put a stool beside the reception desk.

Stools tend to be difficult for older and frail people, or anyone with reduced mobility. They also don't solve the problem for wheelchair users, little people, people with small kids etc. What kind of tourist business can afford to turn off parents with kids?

Blueshoe wrote: »

I still don't care who she is

Whether you care about who she is or not doesn't really matter in the slightest. Try listening to the words, and see if you can find something that you actually disagree with. Or maybe you're afraid that you might actually learning something or open your closed mind just a little?

Blueshoe wrote: »

Probably a cheap place to stay.

Is that your best?

Blueshoe wrote: »

Bottom line is you are just looking to be outraged about something and want to argue your point. The problem is I don't really care about you or your opinion so it's just going to keep going and going.
I do have all day to argue with you but I genuinely don't care about your opinion so try someone else.

There's no 'outrage' from me, though it's kinda funny how often this word is trotted out, usually with snowflake coming close behind by those who don't like facts going against them.

Your degree of caring or not is entirely irrelevant to me. I don't have all day to argue, but when time permits and suits, I'll be happy to point out the continued errors and misunderstandings in your posts.

Blueshoe · 02-06-2019 12:36PM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Stools tend to be difficult for older and frail people, or anyone with reduced mobility. They also don't solve the problem for wheelchair users, little people, people with small kids etc. What kind of tourist business can afford to turn off parents with kids?

Whether you care about who she is or not doesn't really matter in the slightest. Try listening to the words, and see if you can find something that you actually disagree with. Or maybe you're afraid that you might actually learning something or open your closed mind just a little?

Is that your best?

There's no 'outrage' from me, though it's kinda funny how often this word is trotted out, usually with snowflake coming close behind by those who don't like facts going against them.

Your degree of caring or not is entirely irrelevant to me. I don't have all day to argue, but when time permits and suits, I'll be happy to point out the continued errors and misunderstandings in your posts.

I'm not surprised those words have been put in your direction before .

Could you not follow her around and do the checking-in for her? Least you could do.

When I build my hotel the check in desks will be 10 foot high

Nody · 02-06-2019 01:38PM

Mod:
Return to talking about helping OP or this thread will end up locked.

bertsmom · 02-06-2019 02:56PM

We stand for ten and a half hour shifts at work. We have rubber mats I don't find them much good but what I do find really helps fight of leg fatigue is to change into a fresh pair of shoes and socks each break.
To be honest you get used to standing and now I would not go back to a mostly sedentary way of working.

OMM 0000 · 02-06-2019 03:19PM

bertsmom wrote: »

what I do find really helps fight of leg fatigue is to change into a fresh pair of shoes and socks each break.

Oh, interesting.

So you're saying you literally change the shoes you're wearing (slightly difference heel height / sole type / whatever) which sort of let's your leg muscles adjust a bit?

Standing in Work

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