HOUSEKEEPING

ORGANIZATION
 HOUSEKEEPING ORGANIZATION

Literally, the word “House-keeping” refers to the upkeep and maintenance of cleanliness and order in a house or a
lodging establishment, be it an inn, hotel, a partel, condominium, resort, dormitory or hospital. A housekeeper is one who is
responsible for administering housekeeping maintenance and for insuring that everything is in order and that all occupants
are made comfortable, safe, and protected from disease- causing bacteria.

Types of Housekeeping
1. Domestic Housekeeping refers to housekeeping maintenance in a house. It covers bedrooms, kitchen, dining,
receiving area, grounds, and the surrounding areas within the house.
The lady of the house usually the wife/mother or caretaker acts as the head housekeeper and is responsible for the
household in proper order. She sees to it that the rooms are clean and well maintained; makes that soiled dishes are
thoroughly cleaned and polished manages and that linen are properly washed, pressed and safely stored. She also manages
food preparation and dining service.
2. Institutional Housekeeping applies to housekeeping maintenance in commercial lodging
establishments like hotels, resorts, inns, and a partel.
Institutional Housekeeping usually covers the following areas:
• Guest rooms
• Hallways and corridors
• Lobby
• Public rooms and restaurants
• Offices
• Stairways
• Windows
• Stores, concessionaire shops
• Grounds
• Linen and laundry area
It does not include the kitchen and dining areas since these are handled by the food and Beverage
Department.
Scope of Housekeeping Maintenance
The responsibilities of the Housekeeping Department include the following:
1. Guest rooms Maintenance
• Maintaining cleanliness and orderliness in the guest rooms
• Furnishing the room with necessary amenities and supplies such as bed, linen, appliances, etc.
• Attending to service request of house guests
• Keeping the area free of safety hazards
2. Maintenance of Public Areas
• Maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness in all public areas which include lobby, corridors,
function rooms, grounds, etc.
• Maintaining the upkeep, the surroundings of the building by keeping it clean and free of liters
• Maintaining an attractive landscape to enhance eye appeal
• Keeping the public areas free of safety hazards
• Undertaking minor repair like busted bulbs, broken furniture, etc.
3. Maintenance of Linen / Laundry Service
• Collecting and delivering laundry items for house guests or in house occupants
• Washing, drying, ironing guest laundry as well as linens used in banquet functions, food service and
guestroom
• Mending service
4. Washing, Issuance, Repair and Inventory of Employees’ uniforms
5. Installation, Cleaning and Maintenance of Fixtures and Facilities
6. Provisions of special services like babysitting, mending, polishing shoes, etc.

Housekeeping Organization
In large establishments where there are many rooms and areas to be serviced, the Housekeeping
Department is organized such that there is a separate section to handle specific tasks. There is a section for
linen houseman for public area, rooms keeping supervisor for the linen and laundry service.
This department usually falls under the Rooms Division and is headed by an Executive Housekeeper.
 In smaller establishment with fewer guestrooms and public areas to be serviced, the
housekeeping unit may just be a small section by an Assistant Housekeeper who takes over in
case the supervisor is not around. All housekeeping staff report directly to the housekeeping
supervisor.
Distribution of Housekeeping Responsibilities
Housekeeping tasks are distributed to housekeeping personnel who are designated to perform
the following functions and responsibilities.
1. Executive housekeeper or Housekeeping Manager
Basic Function: Responsible for maintaining a smooth and efficient flow of operations in
the Housekeeping Department; sees to it that housekeeping maintenance is carried out in
accordance with prescribed standards and policies.
A. Planning and Problem- Solving Functions
1. Determines the operation requirements of his/her department and coordinates with the Purchasing Department for the
procurement of said items;
2. Formulates goals and targets as well as plans and strategies geared towards goal attainment.
3. Prepares and submits operations budget and monitors consumption against the budget;
4. Analyzes variances against targets and deviations from standards and take corrective action;
5. Takes corrective action for any problem affecting the operation in his department; attends to customer complaints;
coordinates with department concerned for remedial action.
6. Calls for and presides over operations meeting with supervisors to discuss and resolve operational problems.

B. Organizing Functions
1. Organizes the flow of housekeeping operations:
• identifies tasks to be done and distributes them to his staff
• reviews/upgrades job description and job procedures
• reviews/upgrades operational policies as needed
2. Delegates side duties to subordinates.
C. Leading and Directing Functions
1. Conducts job orientation and training of housekeeping personnel.
2. Regularly conducts spot checks and routine inspection to ensure that housekeeping standards are complied
with;
3. Prepares and submits report required by management such as Critical Incident Report, Budget Variance Report,
Inventory Report and other documents as may be required by management;
4. Boost employee morale and motivation through the effective use of motivational techniques;
5. Provides supervision and coaching to section heads;
6. Supervises periodic inventory of housekeeping items and supplies; keeps track of losses and breakdown of
equipment;
7. Maintains par stock requirements; initiates requisition as needed;
8. Coordinates closely with Front Office on room status and room bookings as wells as changes in room
assignments and reservations.
9. Coordinates with the Facilities Maintenance Section on matters requiring repair or troubleshooting of
equipment and room facilities.
D. Controlling Function
1. Controls and monitors expense against the budget; takes appropriate action against the budget;
takes appropriate action against excessive consumption.
2. Sees to it that house rules and housekeeping policies are carried out by the respective unites
under him.
3. Evaluates subordinates’ performance and conducts appraisal interview.
4. Enforces disciplinary action against erring employees; conducts corrective interview as needed;
5. Looks after the wear and tear of equipment; looks after their proper use; storage and
maintenance.
E. Guest Relations
6. Monitors guest satisfaction, solicits feedback and attends to customer needs, concerns and
requests.
7. Handles guest complaints and takes corrective action.
8. Performs other related functions as maybe assigned by superior.
II. Rooms Maintenance Supervisors

Basic Function: Directs and controls rooms keeping activities including room make up,
installation of mini bar and other room amenities; ensures conformity to prescribed
rooms-keeping standards and policies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Conducts routine inspection to check the quality of room make up; makes sure that the
rooms are installed with the standard room amenities and that the area is free of safety
hazards. Also checks if there is anything that needs repair or corrective action.
2. Conducts room check; checks room status, prepares and distributes room status report to
Front Desk and to room attendants.
3. Looks after the proper use, storage and maintenance of linen and cleaning equipment as
well as housekeeping tools and supplies.
4. Regularly checks the condition and maintenance of housekeeping equipment. Have
them cleaned regularly. Initiates service request for defective items.
5. Checks and maintains per stock. Makes requisition whenever needed;
6. Initiates and supervises the weekly inventory of room supplies and other. Housekeeping
items entrusted to his unit. Reports losses and damages and takes corrective action
against reckless use of equipment;.
7. Sees to it that his superior is informed of all unusual incidents and accidents in his area
of responsibility.
8. Trains, coaches and supervises room boys and chambermaids;
9. Attends to the performance evaluation of his subordinates; conducts appraisal interview;
10. Personally attends to VIP guests and their requirements.
11. Attends to guest complaints, inquiries and requests and complaints;
12. Coordinates with Front Office regarding changes in room status and bookings with
Maintenance Unit regarding requests to repair or maintenance.
13. Performs other related duties as may be assigned by superior.
III. Head Houseman or Public Supervisors
Basic Function: Directs and controls all activities concerning public area maintenance and
ensures conformity to prescribed housekeeping standards and policies.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Maintains quality housekeeping in all public areas paying special attention to cleanliness,
orderliness and safety in all covered areas.
2. Conducts regular inspection of the different public areas; checks the quality of cleaning and
maintenance and ensures that the area is free of safety hazards. Also checks if there is anything
that needs repair or corrective action.
3. Checks order in all areas, make sure that fixtures and furniture are installed in the right
location.
4. Monitor and supervises the proper use, storage and maintenance of cleaning equipment as well
as housekeeping tools and supplies.
5. Checks equipment regularly for their condition. Have then cleaned regularly and repaired
when out of order.
6. Checks and maintains par stock requirements. Makes requisition to replenish
supplies.
7. Initiates and supervises weekly inventory of cleaning supplies and other
housekeeping items as allocated to his unit. Reports losses and damages and takes
corrective action against reckless use of equipment.
8. Reports to management all unusual incidents and accidents in the public areas, safety
hazards and items needing repair or replacement.
9. Trains, coaches and supervises his staff.
10. Evaluates the performance of his subordinates and conducts appraisal interview.
11. Performs other related duties as maybe assigned by superior.
 A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel

Proverbs 1:5

GOD BLESS...