| A housekeeper is an individual responsible for the | | | | Performs other related duties as directed by the |
| cleaning and maintenance of the interior of a | | | | Executive Housekeeper. |
| residence. The term is almost exclusively applied | | | | The functions within this job family will vary by |
| to females; males are generally referred to as | | | | level, but may include the following: |
| housecleaners, head of household staff, or, under | | | | Sweeps, dusts, mops, scrubs, washes, vacuums, |
| the old British Imperial system as houseboys | | | | waxes, and polishes building floors, walls, |
| (regardless of age). | | | | woodwork, windows, furniture, equipment, and |
| In the great houses of yesteryear the | | | | hardware. |
| housekeeper could be a woman of considerable | | | | Cleans and sanitizes laboratories, washrooms, and |
| power in the domestic arena. The housekeeper of | | | | bedrooms, keeps washrooms supplied with paper, |
| times past had her room or rooms cleaned by | | | | towels, and soap. |
| junior staff, her meals prepared and laundry taken | | | | Collects and disposes of trash and garbage; |
| care of, and with the butler presided over dinner | | | | moves equipment and furniture such as beds, |
| in the Servants' Hall. Unlike other servants, she | | | | tables, and chairs. |
| was addressed as Mrs. Last Name. | | | | Performs sanitary inspections in designated areas |
| Today's head of household staff in a great house | | | | for purposes of infection control. |
| lives in much the same manner, although fewer | | | | Replaces and removes medically contaminated |
| households can afford large retinues of servants | | | | sharps and/or medically soiled and contaminated |
| with an elaborate hierarchy. A housekeeper also | | | | dressings and supplies. |
| supervises and coordinates activities of household | | | | Orders and distributes custodial supplies; maintains |
| employees in a private residence: Informs new | | | | inventory. |
| employees of employer's desires and gives | | | | Observes and reports safety violations; actively |
| instructions in work methods and routines. She | | | | participates in emergency situations. |
| assigns duties, such as cooking and serving meals, | | | | Assists in training and continued education of |
| cleaning, washing, and ironing, adjusting work | | | | lower level workers. |
| activities to accommodate family members. She | | | | Plans, assigns, and supervises all functions of a |
| also orders foodstuffs and cleaning supplies, keeps | | | | housekeeping department. |
| record of expenditures and may hire and | | | | Inspects quarters for maintenance of proper |
| discharge employees. Also works in residence | | | | housekeeping standards. |
| employing a large staff. | | | | Supervises and maintains records of the |
| The housekeeper is generally hired by and reports | | | | distribution of furnishings. |
| to the lady of the house. The extent to which the | | | | Maintains necessary records; prepares required |
| housekeeper supervises other staff varies from | | | | reports. |
| household to household. In general, the staff of a | | | | Establishes housekeeping standards; assists with |
| grand dwelling is divided into departments, with | | | | policy planning; prepares departmental budget |
| the housekeeper in charge of all the female staff | | | | request. |
| with the possible exception of the kitchen staff, | | | | Knowledge, skills and abilities required at this level |
| who report to the cook, and the between staff, | | | | include those identified in Level I plus knowledge |
| who may report to the butler; in these cases the | | | | of various cleaning methods, materials, and |
| cook and butler reported directly to the lady of | | | | equipment used in custodial work; of proper |
| the house. | | | | procedures for disposing of waste, including |
| In other households, particularly those of the very | | | | medically contaminated sharps and/or medically |
| wealthy who maintain several residences, the | | | | soiled and contaminated dressings and supplies; |
| housekeeper is the ultimate head of household | | | | and of chemical product safety. Skill is required to |
| staff and may hire and fire junior staff, subject | | | | operate custodial equipment. |
| to the approval of the lady of the house, and | | | | What should I look for when hiring a maid or |
| make recommendations for senior staff. In this | | | | housekeeper? |
| case, the cook and butler report to the lady of | | | | Hiring a maid is a serious responsibility. Allowing |
| the house through the housekeeper. | | | | someone into your home and to come into |
| Housekeepers also work in hotels and resorts. | | | | contact with your belongings should require a |
| Their job description differs slightly from the | | | | substantial amount of research in finding the right |
| traditional housekeeper. A Commercial | | | | person for the job. The following are few tips to |
| housekeeper performs housekeeping duties, such | | | | keep in mind during the hiring process. |
| as cleaning and stocking supplies in units when | | | | Insurance: Many maids and housekeepers work |
| assigned. Maintains a high cleanliness standard for | | | | through a service company that hires employees |
| all resort rental units and provides top level | | | | to work under the name of that company. Should |
| customer service for guests. | | | | you use such a service, make sure the company |
| FUNCTIONS: | | | | is insured to cover accidents in the |
| Cleans guest rooms and stocks with appropriate | | | | workplace-your home. |
| supplies in the prescribed manner while following | | | | Ask For References: Before even considering |
| safety and security procedures and regulations, | | | | hiring a maid from a company, seek out those |
| including but not limited to: Picks up and removes | | | | who have worked with them before. Was their |
| trash; Changes linen and makes bed(s); cleans | | | | experience a good one? Always ask the |
| entire bathroom; sweeps and dusts each unit; | | | | housekeeping service company for references |
| cleans the windows, balconies and porches. | | | | before hiring them. |
| Retrieves, stocks, restocks and stores the | | | | Employment Screening: Be sure to find out |
| supplies according to current procedures. | | | | whether or not each of the maids or |
| Receives assigned section, keys, supplies and any | | | | housekeepers are screened before hired to the |
| priority room requests from the Executive | | | | company. Does the service company confirm |
| Housekeeper. Turns in keys and unused supplies | | | | their references and verify they are residents? |
| at the end of each shift. Checks with supervisor | | | | These are very important items to take into |
| prior to clocking out at the end of each day. | | | | consideration before hiring a maid. |
| May be required to clean carpets using equipment | | | | Contract: Who will provide the cleaning supplies, |
| supplied by Lake Lure Golf & Beach Resort | | | | the maid company or you? What happens if you |
| to maintain cleanliness standards of all floor | | | | are not satisfied with the job done in your home? |
| coverings within the rental units and amenities. | | | | What happens if items are damaged in your |
| Responds to guest requests and reports guest | | | | home while the maid is working? These are |
| concerns in a timely and hospitable manner to | | | | questions that need to be answered and |
| ensure guest satisfaction. | | | | answered to the customer's satisfaction in a |
| Reports any missing articles, damages or | | | | written contract signed by both you and the |
| mechanical problems to the Executive | | | | housekeeping company. |
| Housekeeper and turns in any articles left in each | | | | How much would it cost to utilize maid or |
| unit. | | | | housekeeping services on a regular basis? |
| Coordinates with the Executive Housekeeper | | | | Many maid and housekeeping service companies |
| relating to work priorities and provides assistance | | | | charge by the week and by the size of your living |
| when/where needed. | | | | space. Small apartments often cost $40 a week, |
| Check amenities buildings (i.e., restaurants, pro | | | | while a large home could cost $60 a week. These |
| shops, recreation and public areas) to insure that | | | | prices fluctuate on the type of home as well as if |
| they meet cleanliness standards are cleaned and | | | | there are any special problem areas that need to |
| properly stocked. | | | | be cleaned. |