This document discusses housekeeping organization and responsibilities. It begins by defining housekeeping and the roles of housekeepers. It then describes domestic and institutional housekeeping. For large establishments, the housekeeping department is organized into sections for guest rooms, public areas, and linen/laundry. Each section is headed by a supervisor. The document outlines the duties of an executive housekeeper, rooms maintenance supervisor, and head houseman/public areas supervisor.

1. Housekeeping
Organization

2. Housekeeping
• The word “Housekeeping” refers to the upkeep and
maintenance of cleanliness and order in a house or a lodging
establishment such as inn, hotel, apartel, condominium,
resort, dormitory, or a hospital.
• A housekeeper is one who is responsible for administering
housekeeping maintenance and for insuring that everything is
in order. She sees to it that all occupants are comfortable,
safe, protected from disease-causing bacteria.

3. Types of housekeeping
• Domestic Housekeeping – Refers to housekeeping
maintenance in a house. It covers bedrooms, kitchen, dining,
receiving area, grounds and the surrounding areas within the
house.
• Institutional Housekeeping – Applies to housekeeping
maintenance in commercial lodging establishments like
hotels, resorts, inns and apartel.

4. Institutional Housekeeping usually covers the
following areas :

5. Guest Rooms

6. Hallways
and
Corridors

7. Lobby

8. Public Rooms
and
Restaurants

9. Offices

10. Stairways

11. Windows

12. Stores,
concessionaire shops

13. Ground

14. Linen
and
Laundry Area

15. Housekeeping job among commercial establishments is more
complex to manage than those done in house. With a lot of guests to
attend to the housekeeping responsibilities in hotels, resorts and
other commercial lodging area are distributed to several sections of
the housekeeping department. There is a section that attends to the
maintenance of the guestrooms another one to public areas while
separate unit takes care of linen/laundry services. Though each
section attends to a specific function, efforts have to be well
coordinated among the various sections to ensure efficient
housekeeping maintenance.

16. 1.Scope of Housekeeping
The responsibilities of the housekeeping department include the following :
 Guestrooms Maintenance which covers tasks like :
• Maintaning cleanliness and orderliness in the guestrooms
• Furnishing the room with necessary amenities and supplies such as bed,
linen,appliances, etc.
• Attending the service request of house guests.
• Keeping the area free of safety hazards.

17. 2.
2. Maintaining of Public Areas to include the following :
• Maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness in all public areas which include
lobby, corridors, function room, grounds etc.
• Maintaining the upkeep of 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.

18. 3. Providing Linen / Laundry such as :
• 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 guests
• Mending service
4. Washing, insurance, repair and inventory of employees’ uniforms
5. Installation, cleaning , and maintaining of fixtures and facilities like
furniture and appliances.
6. Provision of special services like baby sitting, polishing shoes etc.

19. Housekeeping Organization
When there are many rooms and areas to be cleaned and maintained, the housekeeping
department shall set up a section for rooms maintenance another one for public areas, and a
separate section for linen and laundry service. Each section is headed by a section head like a
Head houseman for Public area, rooms keeping supervisor for guestroom maintenance and a
linen and laundry supervisor for the linen and laundry service.
This department usually falls under the room 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 instead of a department, headed by a
housekeeping supervisor , assisted by an assistant housekeeper who takes over in case the
supervisor is not around. All housekeeping staff report directly to the housekeeping supervisor.

20. Figure 1.
Organizational Chart of the Housekeeping Department
(For Large Establishments)

21. Figure 2. Sample Organizational Chart of the Housekeeping Section in Similar
Establishments

22. Distribution of Housekeeping Responsibilities

23. Executive Housekeeper of Housekeeping
Manager
• Basic Function : He is responsible for maintaining a smooth and efficient flow of
operations in the housekeeping department.
1. As a planner and trouble shooter , the housekeeping manager shall :
1.1 Determine the operational requirements of his/her department and coordinate with the purchasing
department for the procurement of said items.
1.2 Formulate goals and target as well as plans and strategies geared towards goal attainment.
1.3 Prepare and submit operations budget and monitor consumption against the budget.
1.4 Analyze variances against targets and deviations from standards and take corrective action
1.5 Take corrective action for any problem affecting the operation in his department: attend to
customers complaints: coordinate with department for remedial action.
1.6 Call for and preside over operations meeting with supervisors to discuss and resolve operational
problems.

24. 2. As an Organizer, he/she shall :
2.1 Organize the flow of housekeeping operations :
• Identify tasks to be done and distribute them to his staff.
• Review/upgrade job description and job procedures.
• Review/upgrade operational policies as needed.
2.2 Delegate side duties to subordinates.

25. 3. The Housekeeping manager also performs Leading and
Directing Functions He/She shall:
3.1 Conduct job orientation and training of housekeeping personnel
3.2 Regularly conducts spot checks and routine inspection to ensure that housekeeping standards are complied with:
3.3 Prepare and submit reports that required by management such as critical incidents reports, Budget Variance
Report, inventory report and other documents maybe required by management.
3.4 Boost employee morale and motivation through the effective use of motivational techniques
3.5 Provide supervision and coaching to section head
3.6 Coordinate periodic inventory of housekeeping items and supplies keep track of losses and breakdown of
equipment.
3.7 Maintain par stock requirements : initiates requisition as needed.
3.8 Coordinate closely with front office on room status and room bookings as well as changes in room assignments
and reservations.
3.9 Coordinate with the facilities maintenance sections on matters requiring repair or trouble shooting of equipment
and room facilities.

26. 4. The housekeeping manager also does
controlling function he/she shall :
4.1 Control and monitor expenses against the budget, take appropriate action
against excessive consumption.
4.2 See to it that house rules and housekeeping policies are carried out by the
respective units under him.
4.3 Evaluate subordinates performance and conduct appraisal interview.
4.4 Enforce disciplinary action against erring employees ; conduct corrective
interview as needed.
4.5 Look after the wear and tear of equipment ; look after their proper use
storage and maintenance.

27. 5. Housekeeping Manager provides guests
relations assistance. He/she shall :
5.1 Check customer satisfaction, solicit feedback and attend to
customer needs.
5.2 Handle guest complaints and take corrective action.
6. The housekeeping manager may also be asked to perform
other related functions as maybe assigned by superior.

28. Rooms Maintenance Supervisor
• Basic Function : To direct and control rooms keeping activities
including room make up, installation of mini bar and other
room amenities, To ensure conformity to prescribed rooms
keeping standards and policies.

29. Duties and Responsibilities
1. Conduct routine inspection to check the quality of room make up. Make sure
that the room are installed with standard room amenities and that the area is
free for safety hazards. Also check if there is anything that needs repair or
corrective action.
2. Check rooms status during room check, prepares and distributes room status
report to Front Desk and to room attendants
3. Look after the proper use , storage and maintenance of linen and cleaning
equipment as well as housekeeping tools and supplies.
4. Regularly check the condition and maintenance of housekeeping equipment.
Have them cleaned regularly. Initiate service request for defective items.
5. Check and maintain pa stock. Make requisition whenever needed.
6. Initiate and supervise the weekly inventory of room supplies and other
housekeeping items. Report losses and damages and take corrective action
against reckless use of equipment.

30. Duties and Responsibilities
7. See to it that superior is informed of all unusual incidents and accidents in
one’s area of responsibility.
8.Train, coach and supervise room boys and chambermaids;
9. Attend to the performance evaluation of his subordinates ; conduct appraisal
interview.
10. Personally attend to VIP guests and their requirements.
11. Attend to guest complaints , inquiries and request and complaints.
12. Coordinate with Front Office regarding changes in room status and bookings;
with maintenance unit requests for repair or maintenance.
13. Perform other related duties as maybe assigned by superior.

31. Head Houseman or Public Area Supervisor
• Basic Function : To direct and control all activities concerning
public area maintenance and to ensure conformity to
prescribed housekeeping standards and policies.

32. Duties and Responsibilities
1. Maintain quality housekeeping in all public areas paying special attention to
cleanliness, orderliness and safety in all covered areas.
2. Conduct regular inspection of the different public areas. Check the quality of
cleaning and maintenance and ensure that the areas is free of safety hazards.
Also Check if there is anything that needs repair or corrective action.
3. Check order in all areas and make sure that fixtures and furniture are
installed in the right location.
4. Monitor and supervise the proper use, storage and maintenance of cleaning
equipment as well as housekeeping tools and supplies.
5. Check equipment regularly for their condition. Have them cleaned regularly
and repaired when out of order.

33. Duties and Responsibilities
• 6. Check and maintain par stock requirements. Make requisition to replenish
supplies.
• 7. Initiate and supervise weekly inventory of cleaning supplies and other
housekeeping items allocated to his unit. Report losses and damages and take
corrective action against reckless use of equipment.
• 8. Report to management all unusual incidents and accidents in the public
areas, paying attention to safety hazards and items needing repair of
replacement.
• 9. Train coach and supervise housekeeping staff.
• 10. Evaluate the performance of subordinates and conduct appraisal interview.

34. Room Boy Chambermaid or Room
Attendant
• Basic Function: To attend to the maintenance and upkeep of
all his assigned guestrooms and service areas assigned to
himher.

35. Specific Duties
• 1. Look after the maintenance of cleanliness, orderliness and
sanitation in his assigned guestrooms. HeShe shall.
• Clean walls, carpets, fixtures following standard cleaning
procedures.
• Sanitize toilets and bathrooms using sanitizing chemicals.
• Dispose garbage from waste baskets or garbage cans.
• Collect all usesoiled linens and replenish them with fresh ones.
• Look after the orderly make-up of the room, bed and the bathroom.

36. Specific Duties
• Check the condition of all guestroom, facilities and fixture and
report any defect to supervisor for corrective action.
• Replenish standard room amenities and place them in their
appropriate location.

37. Specific Duties
• 2. Perform turn- down service if scheduled for the second shift.
• 3. Look after proper use, maintenance and storage of cleaning
equipment. Report damages to supervisor for corrective action.
• 5. Report all guest complaints and unusual incidents, including
unauthorized entry of suspicious persons in guestrooms and
guests who are sick or in critical condition.
• 6. Report and surrender all lost and found items to supervisor.

38. Specific Duties
• 7. Assist in the inventory of guestroom supplies and lines.
• 8. Prepare and submit daily accomplishment and consumption
report to hisher superior.
• 9. Assist supervisor in conducting rooms check.
• 10. Conduct fumigation of assigned guestrooms as needed.
• 11. Perform other related duties as may be assigned by his or
her superior.

39. Mini Bar Runner/Attendant
• Basic Function: To attend to mini- bar installation, listing.
Replenishing, inventory- taking, stocking, requisitioning, and
other related functions.

40. Duties and Responsibilities
1. Maintain par stock of mini bar items; initiate requisition to replenish used stock.
2. Record mini bar consumption per room and prepare a sales report.
3. Assists in the promotion of mini bar items.
4. Monitor sales and movement of stocks, inform supervisor of slow moving and non-moving items.
5. Conduct mini- bar inventory
6. Clean and dust mini – bar bottles in vacant guestrooms.
7. Check and collect mini- bar receipts in all guest rooms.
8. Assists in the inventory of stocks in housekeeping stockroom as well as in all vacant, occupied and check – out
room.
9. Promptly prepare billing of mini-bar consumption giving priority to rooms occupied by guests who are about to
check out within the day.
10. Coordinate with Front Office cashiers for the billing of late charges.

41. Duties and Responsibilities
11. Coordinate also with other staff like bell service in collecting bills of guests and hotel skippers.
12. Endorse to the incoming attendant all un-replenish mini bars in guestrooms to make sure that all
scheduled replenishments for the day will be accomplished as scheduled.
13. Determine the availability and non-availability of mini bars stocks and update the individual receipts
distributed in guestrooms.
14. Collect empty or consumed mini-bar bottles, cans, etc. from the different floors and guest areas,
pantries and guestrooms.
15. Check sales records from time to time to determine the accuracy of records, inventories, and
billings.
16. Take note of salable non- salable items to have a more accurate basis for requisition and ordering
stocks.

42. Duties and Responsibilities
17. Double check the expiration dates of perishable items for prompt
replenishment.
18. Return spoiled stocks before the end of each month and submit the report
to supervisor or the cost control section.
19.Coordinate closely with the front office regarding rooms on cash-basis to
be able to pull out mini-bar stocks and also to obtain the check-out list for
each day.
20. Perform other duties as maybe assigned.

43. Houseman
Basic Function : to attend to the upkeep and maintenance of cleanliness and
orderliness in public areas assigned to him.

44. Specific Duties
1. Secure cleaning supplies, materials, equipment and look after their
proper use, storage and maintenance.
2. Check the location , condition and arrangement of fixtures in his
area of responsibility, see to it that they are clean and properly
installed.
3. Clean and sanitize public comfort rooms under his following
standard cleaning procedures.
4. Replenish guest supplies in public comfort rooms like paper
towels, toilet, tissues , soap etc.

45. Specific Duties
5. Clean and sanitize all areas assigned to him following standard
cleaning procedures. He/she must.
• Vacuum /shampoo carpets and upholstered furniture.
• Sweep/scrub/polish floors and walls.
• Clean ceilings , exhaust and glass panels.
• Collect and dispose garbage and litters.
• Change/clean ashtrays.
• Disinfect toilet bowls, urinals, etc.

46. Specific Duties
6. Report all noted damages and out-of-order facilities in his area of
responsibility , take a note defective cleaning equipment, busted, bulbs, torn
carpets, cracks on walls defective locks and toilet bowls, clogged floor drain,
ceiling leaks, defective locks etc.
7. Conduct fumigation in the absence of a pest control technician.
8. Report guest complaints to his supervisor as well as suspicious objects or
persons ; turn over to him all lost-and found- articles.
9. Prepare daily accomplishments report and submit them to supervisor.
10. Perform other related duties as may be assigned by superior.

47. Powder Girl
Basic Function – Responsible for the cleaning, care,
maintenance of ladies comfort rooms and locker rooms.

48. Specific Duties
1. Maintain a par stock of cleaning supplies and makes requisition to replenish
stocks.
2. Regularly clean ladies comfort rooms and locker rooms following standard
cleaning procedures . He/she should :
• Disinfect toilet bowls.
• Scrub , clean wipe dry floor and wall tiles.
• Polish chrome and metal fixtures like faucets.
• Fumigate the area as needed.
3. Replenish toilet amenities like toilet paper , soap , paper towels , etc.

49. Specific Duties
4. Check the condition of fixtures and toilets facilities, check for
leaking faucets, defective tiles, showers etc. and report any defect to
her supervisor.
5. Retouch the cleaning of comfort rooms from time to time.
6. Regularly check trash and empties garbage bins from time to time.
7. Assist in other cleaning or housekeeping job when not loaded.
8. Assist in the issuance of linens if he has available time.
9. Perform other related duties as maybe assigned by superior.

50. Gardener and Grounds Maintenance Crew
Basic Function – Responsible for maintaining the grounds
including plants and landscape.

51. Specific Duties
1. Perform daily sweeping and cleaning of grounds following
standard cleaning procedures.
2. Maintain supplies for plants and grounds maintenance and make
requisition to replenish stocks.
3. Look after the care of plants , prune leaves, apply fertilizer, weed
out dried leaves etc.
4. Maintain the landscape and insecure that everything is in order.
5. Perform cultivation of plants through planting and other
techniques ; scout for new ornamentals plants.