Lesson 2

 Interrelationship of the Front Office with other departments

The front office staff interacts with all departments of the hotel, including
marketing and sales, housekeeping, food and beverage, banquet, controller
maintenance, security and human resources.

The front office is seen by these departments a communication medium in

providing guest services. Each and every department has its own unique
communication connection with the front office staff.

The front office relationships with other departments are as follows:

1. The Marketing and Sales Department. This department depends on the

front office to provide historical data on guests and other details that concern
each and every guest.

1. The Billing and Cashier Department. These comes under the controller who
relies on the front office staff to provide a daily summary of financial
transactions which goes through a well prepared high audit.
Therefore, since, it is the duty of the front office to provide the controller with
financial data for billing and maintenance of credit card ledgers, these two
departments must relay payments and changes through the posting machine or
property management system.

2. Maintenance Department. Communication between the front office and

maintenance is on room status and requests for maintenance service.
Maintenance employee must know the occupancy status of a room at the
front office before attending to plumbing heating, air-conditioning problem
and many more repairs.

If the room is already under reservation, the two departments will work
out a time frame so that the room can be fixed before the arrival of the guest or
another room to be assigned if repairs will take long.

1. The Security Department. Communication and good relationship between

the front office and the security office is very important in providing
hospitality and comfort to the guest. This department relates to each other
properly and must have good communication in maintaining guest security,
fire safety, measures and emergency communication systems such as fire
alarms, as well as procedures for routine investigation of guest security
concerns.

2. The Human Resources Management Department. This department may

rely on the front office staff to act as initial point of contact for potential
employees in all departments. Some directors of human resource
management depend on the front office to distribute forms and other
personnel related information to job applicants.

3. The Food and Beverage Department. This department depends on the front
office to determine the quantity of food to cook and type. When the front office
is expecting new arrivals, food and beverage department is notified as well as
other departments