1.
Name four unique characteristics of Housekeeping employees.
Explanation
Housekeeping employees often exhibit cultural diversity, as many individuals from different backgrounds work in these departments. They also tend to attract individuals with little or no formal education. Additionally, it is common to hear a variety of languages among housekeeping staff, with some employees unable to communicate in English. Housekeeping employees may also come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, which can result in their attitudes and behaviors not aligning with the company's culture. Furthermore, some workers may have emotional or economic problems, or even struggle with dependency issues.
2.
What are the Primary Functions of a Housekeeper?
Explanation
The primary functions of a housekeeper include cleaning guestrooms, cleaning corridors and public areas, and maintaining the back of the house. Housekeepers are responsible for ensuring that guestrooms are clean and tidy, providing a comfortable and pleasant stay for guests. They also maintain the cleanliness of corridors and public areas, such as lobbies, hallways, and common spaces. Additionally, housekeepers are in charge of the maintenance of the back of the house, which includes areas like staff rooms, storage rooms, and laundry facilities. These tasks are essential in maintaining a clean and organized environment for both guests and staff.
3.
Name the Secondary functions of a Housekeeper.
Explanation
The secondary functions of a Housekeeper include provision of uniforms for staff, managing F&B table linen, handling lost and found items, preparing annual budgets, and overseeing activities in the seamstress department. These tasks are additional responsibilities that a Housekeeper may be responsible for in addition to their primary duties of cleaning and maintaining guest rooms and public areas.
4.
What are the various staffing considerations for work quota? Name any four.
Explanation
The various staffing considerations for work quota include the size/square footage of the room, types of clientele, distance of elevator/stairs from the room, special cleaning concerns for material surfaces like glass and mirrors, and machines, tools, and methods used. These factors are important to consider when determining the number of staff needed for a specific work quota. The size of the room determines the workload and time required for cleaning, while the types of clientele may have specific needs or preferences. The distance of elevator/stairs from the room affects the efficiency of the cleaning process. Special cleaning concerns for material surfaces require additional expertise and attention. Lastly, the machines, tools, and methods used impact the skill level and training required for the staff.
5.
What is a Table of Personnel Requirements?
Explanation
A Table of Personnel Requirements is a document that displays the number of staff needed in a hotel based on its occupancy levels. This table helps in determining the appropriate staffing levels for different departments such as housekeeping, front desk, restaurant, etc. By considering the hotel's occupancy, the table ensures that there are enough employees available to provide efficient and satisfactory service to the guests.
6.
Name the relationship between the Housekeeping department and the Food & Beverage department.
Explanation
The relationship between the Housekeeping department and the Food & Beverage department is that the Housekeeping department is responsible for providing room service, which includes delivering food and beverages to guest rooms. Additionally, the Housekeeping department is also responsible for the provision of table linen in the Food & Beverage outlets and replenishing the mini bars in guest rooms.
7.
Explain what is a House Breakout Plan and its purpose.
Explanation
A House Breakout Plan is a visual representation of a facility that shows the division of rooms into sections through drawn lines. The purpose of this plan is to determine the staffing needs and ensure efficiency and productivity in the operations of the facility. By dividing the facility into room sections, it helps in organizing and managing the staff and resources effectively, leading to better planning and smoother operations.
8.
What is Schedule Planning?
Explanation
Schedule planning refers to the process of organizing and arranging tasks, activities, or events within a specific timeframe. It involves allocating resources, determining priorities, and creating a timeline for completion. This process can be time consuming and tedious due to the need for careful coordination and consideration of various factors. However, the use of teams can help alleviate the burden of scheduling by distributing the workload and allowing for collaboration. Additionally, having a well-planned schedule can positively impact motivation as it provides structure and clarity, enabling individuals to better manage their time and tasks. Swing teams, in particular, are utilized to accommodate days off, ensuring that there is coverage and flexibility in the schedule.
9.
Explain what is Team Staffing.
10.
What are Material Budgets?
Explanation
Material budgets are plans that estimate the annual spending on material resources for a department. They serve as a guide for expenditure and provide managers with standards to monitor and control expenses. Material budgets help ensure that the department's material resources are allocated efficiently and effectively, and that spending stays within the allocated budget.
11.
State the differences between All-Purpose cleaners and Single-Purpose cleaners.
Explanation
All-purpose cleaners are designed to be versatile and can be used on a variety of surfaces due to their pH neutrality. On the other hand, single-purpose cleaners are formulated for a specific cleaning task and are not meant to be used on multiple surfaces. Single-purpose cleaners do not require rinsing and do not leave a haze behind, making them convenient for quick cleaning. The dilution levels of single-purpose cleaners may vary depending on the specific cleaning task. Additionally, single-purpose cleaners are highly effective in their intended use and offer a wide range of options for different cleaning needs.
12.
In floor care methods, what is done during the Preservation phase?
Explanation
During the Preservation phase of floor care methods, several tasks are performed. Dust mopping is done to remove loose dirt and debris from the floor surface. Spot mopping is carried out to clean specific stains or spills on the floor. Additionally, walk-off mats are placed to prevent dirt and moisture from being tracked onto the floor. These measures help to maintain the cleanliness and appearance of the floor, ensuring its preservation and longevity.
13.
Give three examples of Guest Essentials.
Explanation
The three examples given, clothes hangers, drinking cups, and ashtrays, are all items that are commonly provided for guests in various settings. Clothes hangers are essential for guests to hang their clothes and keep them organized. Drinking cups are necessary for guests to have a way to drink beverages, whether it's water or other drinks. Ashtrays are often provided for guests who smoke, allowing them to dispose of their cigarette ashes safely. These items contribute to the comfort and convenience of guests during their stay or visit.
14.
Explain Fixed assets.
Explanation
Fixed assets refer to tangible assets that have a long-term lifespan of 1 year or more and cost over a certain sum of money. These assets are not meant for immediate sale and are used by a company to generate revenue over time. Examples of fixed assets include buildings, machinery, vehicles, and equipment. At the end of each fiscal year, fixed assets are depreciated, which means their value is gradually reduced over time to reflect wear and tear or obsolescence. Depreciation helps in accurately representing the asset's value on the balance sheet and in determining the company's profitability.
15.
State three guidelines to Equipment selection considerations.
Explanation
The three guidelines for equipment selection considerations are the cost of labor and equipment, the degree of physical force required for the application to be effective, and the type of soil that needs to be removed from the environment. Additionally, the availability of the product, the support and service level from suppliers, and whether the chemical is environmentally friendly should also be taken into account.
16.
State four guidelines for Handling and Storage of Chemicals.
Explanation
The given answer provides four guidelines for handling and storage of chemicals. These guidelines include adhering strictly to the guidelines for handling and storage, routinely keeping the chemicals under lock and key, establishing and following a proper inventory, and conducting training to ensure that staff are familiar with dilution strengths and the handling process. Following these guidelines will help ensure the safe and proper handling and storage of chemicals.
17.
Name any three Cleaning supplies and Equipments.
Explanation
The given answer lists three cleaning supplies and equipment: wringers, brooms and brushes, and wet mops. Additionally, it includes two more items: mop buckets and dust mops and dust cloths. These items are commonly used in cleaning tasks to effectively remove dirt, dust, and debris from various surfaces. Wringers are used to squeeze out excess water from mops, while brooms and brushes are used to sweep and scrub floors. Wet mops are used for wet cleaning, mop buckets are used to hold water and cleaning solution, and dust mops and dust cloths are used for dusting and dry cleaning.
18.
State four room cleaning priorities. E.g. High occupancy
Explanation
The four room cleaning priorities are guest requests, VIP/Group, expected arrivals/check out rooms, and due out/expected check out list. These priorities are important because they ensure that guest requests are addressed promptly, VIPs and groups receive special attention, rooms are prepared for expected arrivals and check outs, and due out rooms are cleaned in a timely manner. Additionally, vacant rooms need to be cleaned and prepared for new guests. Prioritizing these tasks helps maintain a high level of customer satisfaction and efficient room turnover.
19.
State the 4 steps to Cleaning the Guestroom.
Explanation
The correct answer lists the four steps to cleaning the guestroom, which are: entering the guestroom, following suggested cleaning standards, cleaning the bedroom, and cleaning the bathroom. These steps outline the process of cleaning a guestroom in a systematic manner, starting with entering the room and following specific cleaning standards, then moving on to cleaning the bedroom and bathroom.
20.
State four things you should look out for before leaving the guestroom.
Explanation
The answer provided correctly states four things that should be looked out for before leaving the guestroom. These include ensuring that the temperature is set according to standards, turning off all lights except for designated ones, reporting any required maintenance works, and ensuring that no cleaning equipment is left behind and that all areas are well taken care of. By following these steps, the guestroom will be left in a satisfactory condition for the next occupant.
21.
State any three points in managing D&D rooms.
Explanation
The three points in managing D&D rooms are:
1) The common cut off time for all hotels is usually between 1-2pm, indicating the time by which guests should vacate their rooms.
2) The administrative assistant will typically call the guest in the room and ask for a preferred time to serve the room, ensuring that the guest's schedule is accommodated.
3) If there is no response from the guest, a notification card will be slipped under the door, informing them to contact Housekeeping if they require room service. Additionally, it is important to take note of connecting rooms, especially if one is on D&D and the other is not. In cases where the D&D extends over a night, the duty manager and security manager may enter the room.
22.
State any five procedures in Night Turndown service.
Explanation
The answer provides a list of five procedures that are typically followed in a Night Turndown service. These procedures include propping up pillows and placing a turndown tray at the end of the bed, placing foot mats beside the bed (and an additional one if there are two guests), placing slippers on the foot mat if they have been used, filling the ice bucket with ice, and turning on soft music. Finally, all curtains are drawn and only certain lights are left on. These procedures are aimed at creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for guests during the night.
23.
Name two points of having Room inspections.
Explanation
Room inspections are important for several reasons. First, random room checks should be done to ensure that all rooms are being properly maintained and to identify any potential issues or violations. This helps to maintain cleanliness and orderliness in the rooms. Second, inspections should be performed by the people in the operational supervisory chain to ensure impartiality and consistency in the inspection process. This helps to ensure that all rooms are being evaluated fairly and according to the same standards. Finally, effective execution of room inspections will increase staff morale and standards. When employees see that their work is being recognized and evaluated, it motivates them to maintain high standards and take pride in their work.
24.
Name the following types of laundry care symbols:1. 2. 3. 4.
Explanation
The correct answer lists the four types of laundry care symbols mentioned in the question. These symbols indicate the recommended care instructions for different types of laundry. "Machine wash, normal" suggests that the item can be washed in a washing machine using a normal cycle. "Bleach when needed" indicates that bleach can be used on the item if necessary. "Tumble dry normal" means that the item can be dried in a dryer using a normal heat setting. Lastly, "Iron at any temperature, steam or dry" suggests that the item can be ironed at any temperature and with either steam or without steam.