Commercial Robots Create a Better Work Environment to Benefit All

 

Retail. Hospitality. Facility Services. Healthcare. These are industries that rely on large numbers of on-site employees to physically complete vital work operations each day. They’re also the industries with the highest rates of employee turnover, with the retail and hospitality sectors averaging between 75-80% turnover annually, and facility/janitorial services at an eye watering 200-400%. Surprisingly, the seemingly stable and in-demand healthcare field ranks right up there, with hospitals averaging 100% staff turnover every 5 years, losing $5.2 to $9 million to employee turnover. 

 

High turnover rates like these not only disrupt operations and increase costs, they also lower morale among current employees, setting up a vicious cycle. One key to combating high turnover? Supporting and encouraging employee wellbeing. And, given our increasingly tech-enabled world, it should come as no surprise that technology can play a big role here. Commercial robots, such as floor cleaning robots and light delivery robots, are proving to be valuable tools in supporting employee wellbeing and reducing turnover. By automating mundane and physically demanding tasks, these robots help create healthier, more satisfying work environments. Let’s look at how.

 

Many jobs in the retail, hospitality, facility services, and healthcare fields involve repetitive, physically demanding tasks that can lead to strain and injuries. Custodial workers, for instance, are particularly susceptible to ergonomic injuries, and housekeeping staff have been found to have high rates of musculoskeletal injuries due to the physically demanding and repetitive nature of their work. Commercial robots can alleviate these issues by taking over repetitive tasks that cause ergonomic strain.

 

Autonomous floor cleaning robots clean large areas of flooring independently, removing this highly physical burden from human employees. When some of the biggest repetitive strain culprits (vacuuming, sweeping, mopping) can be automated, workers are able to get more variety in their work movements, reducing injury. 

 

Delivery assistance robots, like the FlashBoT, SwiftBoT and BellaBoT intelligently and autonomously transport items within facilities, reducing the need for employees to carry and move items frequently. From transporting medical supplies to hotel room service to heavy plates of food at restaurants, this automated assistance not only saves time, but reduces the amount of repetitive to-and-fro walking and lifting required of many workers. This reduction in physical strain helps prevent injuries and fatigue.

 

The physically demanding, repetitive, and monotonous tasks required of many workers within the retail, hospitality, facility services, and healthcare industries can take a toll on mental health, with workers within the hospitality and healthcare sectors reporting high levels of burnout. Automating particularly burdensome aspects of these jobs such as floor cleaning and repetitive back-and-forth tasks can reduce some of the stress and fatigue associated with these roles.  

 

When robots can handle routine and repetitive tasks, employees are freed to focus on more meaningful and less monotonous work. This shift allows workers to engage in more varied and stimulating activities, reducing boredom and enhancing job satisfaction. Additionally, with robots handling some routine tasks, employees face less pressure to perform physically demanding jobs under tight schedules, helping to reduce stress and burnout. 

 

When autonomous robots can take on more of the “dull, dirty, dangerous” work that puts employees at risk, employee health and wellbeing is enhanced. Autonomous floor cleaning robots, delivery assistance robots, and high-tech UV-C disinfection robots promote facility and worker safety in numerous ways:

 

- As mentioned, autonomous robots help reduce physical strain and fatigue

- Floor cleaning and disinfection robots support improved indoor air quality and protection from germs and other contaminants

- Floor cleaning robots in particular reduce worker exposure to cleaning chemicals, which are implicated in the high rates of asthma among cleaning and maintenance workers

- Cleaning and delivery robots can reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls by maintaining dry, debris-free floors, and lessening the workers’ need to carry heavy goods

 

The prospect of autonomous robots working alongside human employees not only increases efficiency and reduces workloads, but also creates new avenues for career growth and upskilling. Roles that might have previously been perceived as low-skilled or stagnant, such as some within cleaning, housekeeping or retail, can be opened up to new levels of learning and responsibility when high-tech robots are added as assets to be mastered and actively managed. 

 

For instance, tech-oriented custodial staff can be designated as “BoT managers,” learning how to map, maintain, troubleshoot and retrieve cleaning data from the robots. As they become more familiar with the facility’s robots, they can help train other employees, elevating their role and providing deeper job satisfaction. 

 

Taken a step further, companies that invest in targeted upskilling programs centered on robot management will help staff acquire the skills needed to manage robotic fleets effectively, opening doors to diverse career paths within facilities management and other fields. This access to learning, skill acquisition and career advancement can have a direct positive impact on employee wellbeing and turnover rates. Plus, with robots taking over routine tasks, companies can allocate resources more efficiently, investing in employee development and other initiatives that further enhance job satisfaction and retention.

 

Commercial robots like floor cleaning robots and delivery assistance robots are creating exciting new collaborative, labor-saving opportunities for workers in the retail, hospitality, facility services and healthcare industries. In turn, this robotic automation promises to transform work environments by supporting employee wellbeing and reducing turnover. By automating physically demanding and repetitive tasks, these robots reduce physical strain and stress, promote safety, and enhance job satisfaction. This collaboration not only elevates the standards of cleanliness and efficiency, but also empowers workers to excel in their roles, fostering a positive and innovative approach to employee wellbeing.

 

If you’re interested in learning more about robotic automation in the workplace, get in touch with us today!