Chapter -3

Planning and Organising the

Housekeeping Department
 Identify Housekeeping’s Responsibilities
Basic responsibilities
• Guestrooms
• Corridors
• Public areas
• Pools and patio areas
• Management offices
• Storage areas
• Linen and sewing rooms
• Laundry room
• Back-of- the-house areas
Other responsibilities
• Meeting rooms
• Dining rooms
• Banquet rooms
• Convention exhibit halls
• Hotel-operated shops
• Game rooms
• Exercise rooms
 Planning the Work of the HSKP
Department

See Exhibit-1 Basic Planning Activities (Pg.72)

• Ares Inventory Lists- long and very detailed. May require
separate inventory lists for each room type.
• Frequency Schedules:
- Daily/Weekly(Routine Cleaning)
- Bi-weekly/Bi-monthly/Monthly (Deep cleaning)
• Performance Standards-what must be done & how
 Planning the Work of the HSKP
Department
• Performance Standards- gain consensus on how cleaning and
other tasks are carried out.
- You can’t expect what you don’t inspect
- Consistency
• Productivity Standards- how long should it take to perform an
assigned task according to the performance standard. But how
do we do that?
 Planning the Work of the HSKP
Department
• Inventory Levels- having the necessary equipment and
supplies to get the job done.
• Recycled Inventories
- Lines
- Equipment items
- Guest supplies
• Non- recycled inventories
- Cleaning supplies
- Guestroom supplies
- Guest amenities
 Inventory Levels- Non-recyclable

• The minimum Quantity is the fewest number of purchase

units that should be in stock at any time
• The maximum Quantity is the greatest number of purchase
units that should be in stock at any time.
• Remember: storage facilities may be limited, establish
reasonable levels with an effective purchasing system.
 Organising the HSKP Department

2 important principles should guide the organisation of the

department
• Each employee should have only one supervisor
• Supervisors should have the authority and information
necessary to guide the efforts of employee under their
direction
The department Organisation chart should be posted in an area so
that all HK employees can see where they fit into the overall
organisation of the department
 Organising the HSKP Department
Department Organisation Chart
See also Ex 6 & 7

• Systematic direction of orders

• Prevents over-direction
• Communication plan
 Task Lists and Job Descriptions
Refer to Exhibits 8 & 9

Executive Housekeepers use information gathered from the

earlier planning activities to identify the number and types of
positions that are needed.
What is a Task List?
Identifies tasks that must be performed by an individual
occupying a specific position within the department
What is a Job Description?
Responsibilities, reporting relationships, working conditions.
Used to form the contract of employment
 Job Descriptions for Room Attendant
Basic Function
Performs routine duties in the cleaning and servicing of
guestrooms and baths under supervision of an inspector

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Enters and prepares the room for cleaning
2. Makes the bed
3. Dusts the room and furniture
4. Replenishes guestroom and bath supplies
 Job Descriptions for Room Attendant
(continued)

5.Cleans the bathroom

6. Cleans the closet
7. Vacuums and rakes the carpet
8. Checks and secures the room

Relationships
Reports directly to the supervisor
 Management Process
See also Ex-10
- Planning
- Organizing
- Coordinating
- Staffing
- Directing
- Controlling
- Evaluating
 Coordinating and Staffing
• Implementing the results of planning and organising
• Daily coordinating duties for Exec HSKP
 Work schedules and assignments
 Ensure the proper equipment, cleaning supplies, linen and
other supplies are available

Staffing
 Recruitment and selection
 Scheduling staff to work
 Directing and Controlling

• What is the difference?

- Focus employee activity on goals established during
planning phase
- Devise and implement procedures to protect hotel’s
assets
 Evaluating

• What is the difference?

- Assessing whether planned goals have been achieved
• Evaluation tools include monthly budget reports
• Significant variances require further analysis and action
• Evaluate staff performance and department productivity
End of Chapter