How to Maintain your Housekeeping Job

For the last several years, economic times have been a bit strange and job opportunities working as a housekeeper are simply not what they used to be in better days. This brings to mind how important it is for those doing housekeeping to find ways to maintain a good relationship with our employers so that we do not lose our jobs. This year alone, I saw 2 individuals who were well-paid lose their jobs for simply crossing boundaries and not maintaining a professional relationship. This was heart-breaking for me and disturbing for their employers. Here are some thoughts on how to avoid such problems.

Crossing Boundaries refers to many things within an employment relationship. Here are a few examples and some suggestions on how to have a better working relationship.

a) Forming unnecessary opinions about personal, religious, and political views. These are subjects that should be kept private. It is also advisable to not be over-bearing on your personal choices in for example child-rearing. If a mother chooses to "not breastfeed", this is a personal decision and completely up to the mother. Showing disdain to the mother will only make her feel bad and uncomfortable with her decision.


b) Gossiping about the family's lifestyle to others such as household workers. What your boss does in the house is private and should remain there. Telling others of your perception or observation, whether it is true of false is harmful and disrespectful. It truly isn't your place as an employee to discuss the family's activities unless the cause for concern is serious, in which case, you might consider leaving the job and notifying the authorities.


c) Taking advantage as it relates to time and responsibilities. If you are entrusted with a list of duties that you agree to perform for the salary provided, it is your job to fulfill every duty to the best of your ability and to arrive on time and work the hours agreed to. Employers are also capable of taking advantage and should realize that this could cause an employee to quit.


d) Forgetfulness and Lack of Attention to Details - It is not easy to remember everything that you must do, but that is why man invented "paper and pen" so that you could utilize both to record anything and everything necessary. I recommend that all employees form a "household working manual" describing everything that is required by the employer. This can be something that is updated on a regular basis. You can review this daily, weekly and even monthly as needed to stay on top of your job. A great way to be sure that no one is forgetting important details regarding employment, it is suggested that an employment agreement be in place.

e)Review Sessions - It is mandatory that problems and issues do not fester between the employer and employee. Decide on how often is best for you to sit down together and discuss anything that might be of concern. This is a great time to get a performance evaluation to ensure that everyone is happy.

Every attempt while on the job to keep an open line of communication and stay on top of your responsibilities will help you maintain the job you worked so hard to get.

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Housekeeping: A Job that Comes Natural to You

If you are experienced in fields that have nothing to do with Housekeeping, it may be difficult to get someone to take you seriously. Experienced housekeepers are having a hard enough time finding work when people are tightening their budget. To add to the pool of candidates are those who can't find work in their own fields. In reviewing a resume, you may ask, "What makes you qualified to do this kind of work?" The response might be, "Doing housekeeping is something that comes natural to me." Great, that could mean many things. You like to clean and know how to do it reasonably well. You know how to make a bed and keep things tidy. You know how to put in a load of laundry. But does this make you a "professional housekeeper"?

It takes so much more to know how to clean properly and call yourself a professional in the field. You need to understand cleaning products and tools and how to use each one for various surfaces. You need to know how to clean from top to bottom, getting into crevices and cleaning areas that most people ignore. You need to understand how to be a perfect laundress: sorting, washing, folding, drying every item perfectly. You need to know how to organize drawers, closets, cabinets. You need to know how to set a table and serve properly. You need to know how to cook basic healthy meals for children and/or the entire family. You need to know how to do CPR and First Aid in case of an emergency. You need to know how manage your time and work efficiently. You need to know how to manage other household personnel and supervise staff members.

Bottom line, is that being a housekeeper requires many skills that may or may not come natural to you. A trained housekeeper with good experience and references is most likely to be employed firsthand. This is not just a job, it is a profession. Get trained and see how improving your skills will help you get employed.


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What If Automated Cleaners Replace Housekeepers

What would you think if all housework could be completed simply by an automated system made to work magic completely on its own? Let's enter that world for one minute to see what it would bring us.

*First of all, we would not worry about whether the housekeeper arrived on time, because time only relates to the moment we program our automated cleaner to work. Just like a coffee maker, you could simply set it up the night before.

*No need to argue with your housekeeper as to why she/he is not accurately doing the job...well, you could argue, but no one will be answering. Eventually, your family member will be wondering about these screaming matches you are having with the automated cleaner.

*You won't need to negotiate prices and salary increase,nor vacation time, nor over time, because the automated housekeeper simply doesn't care about those things.

*It won't be necessary to replace the housekeeper when she/he has personal issues or is ill, because the automated cleaner is always available and never says "I can't be there for you".

Well, sounds good to me so far. There are just a few problems with this robot that is here ready, willing and able to replace the human housekeeper.

Does it pick up the newspaper and make you coffee in the morning?
Does it greet you with warmth and ask you if you would like breakfast?
Does it help you get the kids ready and off to school?
Does it strip the beds, organize the rooms and start the laundry?
Does it clean every room from top to bottom?
Does it put fresh flowers in vases around the house?
Does it grocery shop, make dinner and set the table?
Does it organize your closets, drawers and cabinets?
Does it get into the crevices and corners of every room and clean thoroughly?
Does it fluff up pillows, straighten rugs and pictures and attend to every detail?
Does it leave a home sparkling clean?

Well, until it does, I suppose the good ole fashion "human housekeeper" will have to do.