Implementing Some Regulation

When I inherited this position from the previous manager, I inherited her Housekeepers. My goal, previously mentioned in the blog, was to ease them into a professional relationship with me. I have now been employed in this managerial position for over 5 months. It is time to introduce a policy guide. I am taking a different approach with this, which is something I will elaborate on in the coming days.

The guide is as follows:

Policy Pamphlet For Housekeeping Staff Employed At The TJ Motel:

A Document Provided And Privately Published By T Justin Haxby On Behalf Of Our Mutual Employer

Introduction:

The purpose of this guide is to provide a clear picture of the duties of the housekeeper, how you fit into this small business, what is expected of you, and your professional relationship with management. This pamphlet can be used as a guide for you in times that you cannot consult management to make a decision.

There are a few things that need to be made clear in the introduction. The first of these is the TJ’s reputation. When travelers ask members of the community where they should stay the night, they will point them first in the direction of the TJ Motel. That reputation is yours. You influence that reputation more than management by providing clean, neutral smelling, and safe rooms in which to stay. Your efforts control the guests’ experience.

One thing you need to understand is that the reputation of any business is delicate. It can be undone quickly in a small community by a few loose tongues. That is why one of the policies you will adhere to while here, and after your employment has expired, is to keep work at work, and keep home life at home.

You and management are interdependent. That means that you rely on each other to do the job assigned to the other. Management relies on you to clean and reset the rooms; to do it speedily, completely, with quality and attention to detail. You depend on management to do laundry, make decisions, be the human resources rep., and provide paychecks to name a few.

Job Description:

The Housekeeper is responsible for the cleaning and resetting of rooms. They provide service to those who are staying more than one night. They are responsible for being observant of the supply situation. They are to assist the manager in the cleaning and putting away of laundry. They are to pay attention to the exterior, as well as the interior of the rooms - making sure that the grounds are free of garbage.

Policies:

•  ·    The Housekeeper is responsible for cleaning the rooms using a routine established, but adaptable, to keep the motel in good standing
• ·     The Housekeeper is responsible to keep an eye for detail. The best way to do this is, before leaving a room, to ask yourself, “Would I would stay here? Would I let a loved one stay here?”
• ·   The Housekeeper is responsible to use responsible cleaning techniques. Wash your hands frequently and take care not to spread disease throughout the rooms.
• ·      If a Do Not Disturb Sign is on the door, then pass on the room and move on to the next task.
• ·      If the supplies are running low it is the responsibility of the Housekeeper to bring it to the attention of management.
• ·    The color scheme of the motel is not as important as getting the beds done while in the room. Bring sheet sets with you when you go to clean. Exceptions can be made under duress such as weather.
• ·  There are decisions that need to be made that the Housekeeper does not need to consult management on. The policy is simple; if you know what needs to be done – do it. There is no “your way” or “my way.” There is only the work and getting it done.
• ·       If you need to leave work for any reason you must notify management.
• ·   If you cannot make it to work you are free to consult with your fellow Housekeepers and get someone to come to work for you. As long as someone shows up it is not necessary to notify management.
• ·   Come to work clean and presentable. Think about your image. This can be solved with one question, “If someone similarly dressed were cleaning your motel room would you still want to stay there?” Remember, how you present yourself reflects on the motel and its reputation.
• ·    You can smoke, but you must do so in designated areas. There will be no more smoking outside the laundry room. 
• ·      No shortcuts. Finish the job in every room. Vacuuming will be done in the rooms that are staying over if needed. Again, that need is to be determined by your own judgment and the question – Would I be comfortable staying here?
• ·   Do a thorough job – get rid of cobwebs, watch the dust on the furniture and wipe it off if necessary, clean the trays that the coffee is on. Clean the surface and underneath the trays.
• ·      Save energy – be sure to turn off all lights, fans, heaters, water, and air conditioning before locking up the room.
• ·   Mutual respect is required. Respect can be garnered in humorous exchange, and in professional relationships. Just show respect.
• ·    If anything needs to be brought to the attention of management be sure to both tell the manager, and write it down on the dry erase board or whatever other medium is provided.
• ·   Turning on the TVs within the rooms is allowed. But if there is no work going on and you are caught there will be consequences.
• ·    The issue of working separately or as a team on the rooms is entirely up to you. If you feel like you do a better job by yourself or with the help of others then make the best decision.
• ·   You are under time constraints. No matter how many beds are used in the room, the industry standard is as follows: 1 bed room: 20 minutes to reset. 2 bed room: 25 minutes to reset. 3 bed room: 30 minutes to reset. Each stay over room should take no longer than 12 minutes to reset. 
• ·  Please come to work to work. As much as you can leave your home life at home. You are depended on to do a job, and anything that interferes with that must be dealt with. As much as they can, management is available to help you. This includes providing time off, an ear to listen, and work-related or legal obligations.

These policies are subject to change, and will be added to without prior notification. The changes made will be passed on to employees within four business days. Violation of TJ Motel policies will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Policy violation discipline is at the sole discrepancy of management and ownership. Some policy violations will require disciplinary action. Disciplinary action will be as follows:
 

1^st Violation –  Verbal Warning

2^nd Violation – Written Warning

3^rd Violation – Written Warning

^4th Violation – Realignment

Realignment: You make a decision. You decide if you want to quit, or if you want to stick it out, apply yourself, and obey the policies. You will keep your job, and have your last chance. If that last chance is violated then the employee will be terminated.

Violations will expire after 90 days if a violation is not committed in the meanwhile, and your discipline will reset. In this way we can protect you and protect the business.

The employer does reserve the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, without prior notice, and without disclosing the reason or reasons according to Idaho State law, and Federal employment laws.

I have decided to implement policies in what I have come to call "the committee." This policy booklet will not serve as law just yet, rather it will serve as a framework for what will come. Having reviewed the policies, and my experience with policy handbooks throughout the years I have almost become guilty of what I had, in the past, come to hold in modest regard. I have created a booklet that will alienate and subjugate the very people I am trying to build a professional relationship with. Some of the policies herein have the tone of being condescending. 

In a small town, in this unusually personal environment, a small business approach must be taken with any policies. My intentions therefore are to activate my employees as committee members, rather than subjects to the almighty rule of law. Together we will hash out policies we can all agree to, honor, and grow from. Putting myself in their place I would love to be given the opportunity to provide feedback and help shape the policies that would govern my actions, expectations, and behaviors at work. If a policy I had disagreed with still managed to make it through to the final draft, I would still feel satisfied that I was able to provide feedback and have my voice heard.

Furthermore the policies can continue to evolve and change within this environment. If one is not working, it will be either rewritten or eliminated. How, then do I establish stability, reliability? That is a process that I am still working on. It cannot be made in a heated exchange. A case has to be presented, I then want to put myself in the position so I can understand their perspective. I have made a few unwritten changes to our practices by doing such a thing.