Page 59 - CIJ Nov 2024 Digital Edition

MAKING A POINT
The essential role
of the housekeeping
department is to
ensure a clean,
comfortable, and
safe environment for
guests. Not only is
it the backbone of
hotel operations, but
it also guarantees
the aesthetic appeal
of the property.
The cleanliness and
beauty of a hotel
room or public
area are the first
things guests notice,
creating an everlasting
impression. Then why
is housekeeping being
yet a “not-sought-
after” subject in the
hospitality schools?
Dr Sarah Hussain,
Professor,
Department of
Tourism and
Hospitality
Management,
Faculty of
Management
Studies, Jamia Millia
Islamia shares her
views
(robots delivering guest
supplies, robotic vacuum
cleaners, self-check-in),
which can improve efficiency
but may threaten entry-level
jobs. Housekeeping is now at
the forefront of implementing
eco-friendly practices, such as
reducing water usage, using
green cleaning products, and
minimizing waste. This needs
to be acknowledged as part
of the hotel’s sustainability
narrative.
Most hotel management
Many make the mistake of colleges have the least takers
perceiving housekeeping functions for housekeeping, which
as simple, without being aware of is highly concerning. Are
their significant attention to detail,
time management skills, and ability educational institutions too not
promoting housekeeping among
to maintain quality under pressure. students? Faculty must promote
Housekeeping requires long and
strenuous work hours, often with housekeeping to students by
high physical demands, yet it emphasizing the creativity and
value that the department offers,
receives minimal recognition. The which feeds the soul with art and
demand to service rooms speedily
between check-ins and check-outs beauty.
while maintaining high standards What can be done to make
is a challenging balance to strike. housekeeping staff feel valued?
Often housekeepers are tasked with
Apart from considering potential
cleaning up unpleasant situations strategies such as employee
and also having to deal with of the month programs, better
unreasonable guest expectations
without the same support as other salaries, and improved working
conditions, emphasizing training
staff. programs to help housekeeping
employees enhance their skills and
The Human Resource
Departments must explore the support their career progression is
gap between the hard work crucial. How many hotels General
housekeepers do and the typically Managers have a Housekeeping
background? I strongly advocate
lesser salary and benefits they
receive compared to other hotel for stronger leadership roles
departments. The question for housekeeping managers
arises whether there are limited and a changing perception that
housekeeping is an integral part of
opportunities for growth and
promotion within the housekeeping hotel operations rather than merely
department, leading to it being supporting one.
It is an undervalued yet crucial
considered as a “dead-end” job. component of the hotel experience
Contrasting to this view, in some
cultures housekeeping is considered and deserves greater recognition
more prestigious than in others, and investment. I urge the readers
leading to more respect and to reconsider the way they perceive
recognition. and deal with housekeeping staff
Globally, hotels are beginning to and explore innovative ways to
explore innovations like automation elevate this department. CIJ
Clean India Journal•NOVEMBER 2024 59
www.cleanindiajournal.com