Staff training and Retention: Nurturing a Skilled Housekeeping Team

 

Needless to say, training and retention is one of the crucial points in the entire Housekeeping field. This is the base. 

 

Filed under
Housekeeping
 
May 16, 2024
 
Share this story
 
 
Subscribe to our newsletter
 

To receive the latest breaking news and stories in Dubai, the UAE and the GCC straight to your inbox.

 
Staff training and Retention:  Nurturing a Skilled Housekeeping Team
 

Does housekeeping training increase staff efficiency and retention?

Absolutely! Proper housekeeping is essential for maintaining a clean and welcoming environment in hotels and other establishments. There are some key aspects of housekeeping training and how it contributes to staff retention and overall operational efficiency.

The main base - Standards for Housekeeping Departments. Regardless of the size or type of hotel, certain standards to be maintained by the housekeeping department.These standards are:

  • Uniform: Presentable and proper uniforms protect associates from stains and toxins while giving them a professional appearance.
  • Cleaning Equipment: Correct usage and care of cleaning tools (trolleys, mops, vacuums, etc.) are crucial for effective cleaning and prolonging equipment lifespan.
  • Products/Chemicals: Associates should be knowledgeable about product application, safety, and surface compatibility.
  • Maintenance: While housekeepers may not perform maintenance tasks directly, they play a vital role in reporting issues to maintenance promptly.
  • Laundry: Understanding laundry procedures ensures high-quality in-room service.
  • Communication: Engaging housekeeping associates during training is essential for information retention.

There are 5 steps to attracting and retaining housekeeping associates: Compensate- Communicate- Appreciate- Nurture- Protect.

Few valid points about the two of 5: 

 Communicate - Your housekeepers want to hear from you (more often than you think), and, more importantly, they want to be heard. To improve retention, don’t just take time to talk to your housekeepers. Take time to listen. What is working for them? What isn’t. Ask what you can do to make their job easier, safer, and more fulfilling. Keeping your housekeeping staff happy isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking questions and encouraging conversations. And when you offer open communication at your property, you’ll not only retain staff, but you’ll also attract new housekeepers who want to have a voice where they work.

 Appreciate - Is there a best way to attract and retain housekeeping talent? An employee recognition program might be it. Publicly appreciating and celebrating your housekeepers has many benefits. First, you’re letting staff know that their hard work and dedication to service matters. Not just to you, but to your guests and to the entire hospitality industry. Second, it motivates other employees to go above and beyond. Why? Because with an employee appreciation program in place, they know their efforts won’t go unnoticed! Third, employee recognition is an incredible tool for recruitment and retention. It makes workers want to stay, and it can attract housekeepers who feel underappreciated in their current job. Lastly, appreciated housekeepers perform better, which means cleaner rooms and higher satisfaction scores for your hotel.

Remember, investing in comprehensive housekeeping training pays off in terms of guest satisfaction, operational effectiveness, and staff loyalty. ????

About the author: 

Tatiana Ronzhina  is the Housekeeping Manager at ANDAZ DOHA.