Identification should include the responsibilities of
- the executive housekeeper, who
- creates schedules
- supervises all housekeeping employees
- motivates all housekeeping employees
- implements training programs
- conducts periodic employee evaluations
- maintains inventory
- develops inventory (i.e., supplies) budgets
- the executive housekeeper/manager, who
- follows sanitation procedures
- plans and prepares employee work schedules
- performs or assists with cleaning duties, as necessary
- investigates complaints about service and equipment and takes corrective action
- coordinates activities with other departments to ensure that services are provided in an efficient and timely manner
- checks equipment to ensure that it is in working order
- inspects and evaluates the physical condition of facilities to determine the type of work required
- selects the most suitable cleaning materials for different types of linens, furniture, flooring, and surfaces
- instructs staff in work policies and procedures and the use and maintenance of equipment
- the housekeeping inspector, who inspects work performed to ensure that it meets specifications and established standards
- the public space cleaner, who cleans lobbies, lounges, restrooms, corridors, elevators, stairways, locker rooms, and other work areas so that health standards are met
- the room attendant, who
- provides clean linens, towels, and toilet items
- cleans rooms with cleaning supplies, using wheeled carts to clean hallways
- disposes of waste, trash, and ashtrays
- replenishes customer supplies such as drinking glasses, writing supplies, and hygiene items
- keeps storage areas and carts well-stocked, clean, and tidy
- dusts and polishes furniture and equipment
- sweeps, scrubs, waxes, and/or polishes floors, using brooms, mops, and/or powered scrubbing and waxing machines
- cleans rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, and/or draperies, using vacuum cleaners and/or shampooers
- washes windows, walls, ceilings, and woodwork, waxing and polishing when necessary
- hangs draperies and dusts window blinds.
Process/Skill Questions:
Thinking
- Why must the executive housekeeper set the procedures for cleaning and maintaining guest rooms, public areas, office areas, and linens?
- What resources are available to help the executive housekeeper maintain accurate and current inventory?
Communication
- What communication skills must the executive housekeeper use to ensure that staff know the expectations of the housekeeping division?
- How often should the executive housekeeper evaluate employees?
Leadership
- What leadership techniques should the executive housekeeper employ to organize and distribute housekeeping duties?
- What kinds of training should the executive housekeeper provide for new employees?
Management
- Why is the executive housekeeper an integral part of the management team?
- What responsibilities for security does the housekeeping staff have?
- How often will updated training take place for OSHA and safety data sheets (SDS) application?