Your impact on housekeeping

Throughout my career in housekeeping, my approach has been to prioritise hiring individuals with the right attitude and then providing them with the necessary skills through teamwork. This strategy ensures that my housekeeping team is not only highly skilled but also shares a common positive attitude, which is vital in our industry. 

The challenges you faced in your housekeeping career 

However, retaining high-potential candidates has been a persistent challenge. After investing time and effort in training, they often seek positions elsewhere. To address this issue, I've embraced IHG's "Room to Grow" program, offering our talented team members internal mobility opportunities within the company. This approach keeps their valuable skills within the organisation and maintains their motivation. By providing a clear path for career advancement within the organisation, we've successfully retained our talented staff and prevented them from seeking opportunities elsewhere. This approach has proven effective in maintaining high motivation levels among the team.

Your advice to fellow housekeeping professionals

First and foremost, prioritise hiring individuals with the right attitude, as skills can be taught, but a positive attitude is essential in our line of work. Secondly, encourage your team members to share new ideas. This not only keeps your talented staff engaged but also ensures that their skills are polished from time to time. Lastly, foster a culture of teamwork when training and upskilling your staff, and remember the importance of a positive work environment and employee recognition to boost morale and reduce turnover. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your housekeeping team's performance and overall guest satisfaction.