New California Bill Seeks to Ban Flat Sheets in Hotels

No More Flat Sheets in California

Introduced by State Senator Kevin De Leon, (D-Los Angeles), whose mother suffered back problems as a hotel maid, a new California bill seeks to mandate the use of fitted sheets on hotel mattresses in California hotels as opposed to flat sheets as the bottom sheet on all beds in hotels. For those confused about the difference, a fitted sheet contains elastic or other stretchy material sewn into each of the four corners of the mattress to hold the mattress in place. Fitted bottom sheets are commonly used in homes and many hotels, but some hotels use flat sheets as an economic alternative.

883 Workman's Comp Claims for Back Injury

At issue is the number of workers filing Workman's Comp claims in California. Apparently 883 housekeepers said they hurt their backs last year in California hotels, but there are no figures on how many actually hurt their backs as a result of those hazardous flat sheets.

Other Proposed Restrictions

In order to address other possible culprits for all those injuries to housekeepers, the bill also includes a pre-emptive strike against:
"The use of long-handled tools such as mops or similar devices in order to eliminate the practice by housekeepers of working in a stooped, kneeling, or squatting position in order to clean bathroom floors, walls, tubs, toilets, and other bathroom surfaces."

Apparently now housekeepers will need to scrub bathtubs and toilets while standing in an upright position. To make matters worse for hotels, which are already suffering the downside of a bad economy, the room quota numbers will be lowered so maids don't have to hurry.

Not Necessary to Life Mattresses

Those opposed to the bill, as well those who grew up prior to 1993, point out that mattresses do not have to be lifted to have a flat sheet tucked snugly under them. Prior to the fitted sheet's public appearance in 1993, everyone used flat sheets or sheets that were sewn with tucks at the corners that were only partially fitted. Flat sheets on the bottom work the same ways as flat sheets on the top. They are slid and tucked under the mattress and manage to stay on the bed without lifting the mattress. One wonders how so many people in hotels are allegedly injuring their backs this way since the rest of the population slides and tucks their flat top sheets every day when they make their beds.