As the resource extraction industries expand, the population of remote employees continues to increase. Consequently, this makes finding housing a challenge because most work sites are situated in remote areas where housing is inadequate. This leaves remote employees with few options like hotel accommodation, which can be expensive.
As such, numerous remote employees admit to sleeping in parking lots and in their cars, which can lower morale and productivity. More notably, lack of access to shelter puts the lives and health of these remote employees at risk, threatening the prosperity of resource extraction companies.
Thankfully, the rise in man camp housing has turned things around for these companies and their employees. Besides shortening the commute, man camp housing is affordable and safe. This reduces the strain and stress of seeking shelter in these remote areas and offers remote employees a comfortable place to stay. This article comprises a guide to man camp housing for remote employees seeking this accommodation.
What is man camp housing?
Man camp housing comprises facilities in rural areas like oil fields to accommodate a company’s workforce. Traditionally, man camp housing was designed using wooden frames and canvas tents. The designs have since evolved to include durable and portable containers known as a man camp trailer, among other man camping facilities.
The best man camping facilities should survive the harsh climate of most remote work sites. These facilities are intended to cater to the needs of a company’s workforce without compromising comfort and privacy.
Most housing units mimic studio apartments, including a small kitchen, a sleeping area, and a bathroom. They also comprise other amenities like dining facilities, convenience stores, and recreational areas, which make the man camp housing facilities more homely. Some man camp housing facilities like the man camp trailer are mobile, promoting convenience.
Man camp housing guide for remote employees
Finding quality workforce accommodation can be a challenge. This is especially true because most man camp housing providers have transitioned to providing accommodation to the public. This contradicts traditional man camps, where groups or companies fully rent the facilities. Some things to consider when finding man camp housing that’s more to your liking include:
1. Comfort
Your comfort is tied to your morale and productivity. The more well-rested you are, the higher your enthusiasm and productivity. All this starts with the degree of comfort your accommodation facility offers. For example, a comfortable bed and mattress are vital to getting adequate sleep and feeling reenergized so you can stay focused at work.
Similarly, good hygiene in man camp housing facilities is vital to your comfort. Poor hygiene increases your risk of falling ill, leading to discomfort and affecting your work. Therefore, inspecting the degree of cleanliness in bedrooms, bathrooms, and amenities of man camp housing before moving in is essential.
Ensuring your amenities are in good condition is essential to your comfort. One example of what to check for is plumbing. This is because water leaks or inadequate water can make your stay uncomfortable, thus affecting your productivity.
2. Adequate security and safety
Man camp housing facilities should also be safe and secure for guests and their property. Therefore, it’s essential to ask the facilities’ management about their safety protocols and the actions taken in case of a safety breach.
How does the facility handle a guest that behaves aggressively toward other guests? What measures are taken to ensure the remote employees and their belongings are safe? These responses give you a glimpse of the level of security provided by the relevant facility. You can then decide whether or not it’s the right facility.
Working in remote oil fields or other resource extraction job sites means your shifts aren’t fixed. Flexible shifts mean that you may be required to work late into the night. Thus, it’s wise to consider whether the location of a man camp housing facility is secure enough for you to get home safely at any time.
3. Access to essential amenities
When looking for a man camp housing facility, it’s also essential to examine the amenities available to offer you convenience. For one, a facility offering dining services is convenient because it saves you from worrying about where to get food, especially when you’re new.
For example, some companies offer transportation to their remote employees to and from man camps. Consequently, this may limit where you can obtain food. Therefore, access to dining facilities or grocery stores in a man camp housing facility will save you from worrying about where to get food.
Another significant amenity in man camp housing facilities is laundry facilities. Most man camp housing units have limited space, which means a laundry space or laundry services are crucial to helping you maintain good hygiene.
Storage units also provide a comfortable space in man camp housing facilities. As mentioned above, housing units in these facilities have limited space. Thus, your space may be cramped if you have many belongings.
To make up for that, many facilities have shared storage units for remote employees to keep extra stuff. These may include personal belongings or work apparel and tools. Consequently, this enables you to keep your space cozy and your possessions safe at no extra cost, facilitating convenience.
4. Affordability
Over the years, the expansion of the resource extraction industries has led to the overpopulation of remote employees and caused housing shortages in affected areas. Hotels are hardly an option for these employees because of the expensive rates they charge, which is why most remote employees opt for man camp housing.
Man camp housing facilities are developed as an affordable housing solution for remote employees. Nonetheless, you may encounter different rates in an area with more than one facility. You should compare the rates against their services in this event. This will help you select a facility that fits your budget and needs.
Wrapping up
Man camp housing facilities reduce the strain and stress of seeking shelter in remote areas and offer remote employees a comfortable place to stay. Finding a convenient man camp housing facility is crucial to a remote employee as it influences your health and productivity. Factors to consider when it comes to comfort include the quality of the bed and mattress, the facility’s cleanliness, and the amenities’ condition.
It’s also wise to examine the level of security and safety offered by the man camp housing facility. Additionally, access to diverse amenities such as dining, laundry, and storage facilities at an affordable man camp housing facility will enhance your stay. Consider your needs and budget before applying this guide for the best results.
