Title: Identify the duties of housekeeping personnel.
Course: Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation II (16999-II) > Section: Fulfilling the Responsibilities of the Rooms Division and Lodging Facilities Operations

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?