Labor Day: the unofficial end of summer, the start of sweater season, and a day off for many across the U.S. But there is more history to the holiday beyond barbeques.

Labor Day was first celebrated in the late 19th century to honor the contributions of American workers and the labor movement. It became a federal holiday in 1894, set on the first Monday of September, recognizing the economic and social achievements of the workforce. Today, it’s both a tribute to hard work and a well-earned day of rest…for some.

But not everybody has the day off. Especially in hospitality, hotel staff are putting in the extra work on this popular travel weekend, and they deserve so much praise for their efforts! So let’s raise a toast to the people who really put the “labor” in Labor Day.

The unsung heroes of hospitality

Front desk agentsFrom the first “hello” to the last “have a safe trip home!” they’re the face of your hotel. Whether they’re checking in tired travelers or smoothing out last-minute requests with a smile, your front desk agents are the calm in the storm of peak travel days. They juggle room keys, guest needs, and phone calls like pros — often all at once.

HousekeepersNo, this isn’t an Airbnb — your guests don’t have to strip the bed or take out the trash. That’s because your housekeeping team takes care of it all, day in and day out. They’re the reason every room is tidy, clean, and ready for use the moment someone checks in. No need to worry about managing tasks when housekeeping takes care of it all!

Maintenance staff
Isn’t it great when everything just works in your hotel? That’s not luck — that’s your maintenance team making sure everything from the elevator to the AC runs like clockwork. If they’re doing their job right, most guests never even know they were there. But we see you, maintenance crew! 

Night auditors, bell attendants and beyondThere are so many team members that keep the ship moving. The folks who keep the operation humming when most of us are asleep, or those who carry bags, hail taxis, and offer a friendly helping hand — they’re part of what makes a seamless guest experience.

‍

How can you support your staff?‍

Hotel staff are truly the unsung heroes of hospitality. So this Labor Day, let’s go beyond the usual shoutout and take action to support the people who keep your hotel running. Here’s how:

Acknowledge the invisible work
Celebrate the contributions your guests don’t always see — the bed turned down just right, the quietly replaced lightbulb, the guest complaint solved with quick service recovery that ended up with a guest providing a glowing review.

Empower your team
Trust your staff to deliver amazing service, and give them the autonomy to go the extra mile for guests. You hired great people — let them show off!

Give them the tools to succeed
Whether it’s better communication tools, training resources, or support software, set your team up to do their best work without burning out. Kipsu’s guest messaging, housekeeping, and ticketing software go hand-in-hand when it comes to supporting all of your staff.

‍

Make this Labor Day count

Want to go the extra mile? Check out our checklists for the front desk, housekeeping, night audit, and preventative maintenance. Use these lists to support your team not just on Labor Day, but every day.

Or better yet, see how Kipsu Engage and Exceed can help you celebrate and support your staff all year long. Because when your team thrives, your guests will feel the difference.

Happy Labor Day to the ones who never stop working to make everyone else feel at home. We see you — and we’re grateful!