Is Housekeeping Really Part of HR's Job? Seniors, Please Share HR's Work List!

Seniors, I want to know, is housekeeping the responsibility of the HR department? Also, please send me the details of the HR department's work list.

Are you upset? There is no law against making "Housekeeping" a part of HR work. Everyone knows it is NOT a classical HR activity that you have learned at the institute. But for the organization to function smoothly, efficiently, and systematically, the "powers that be" adopt a format as to what activities to be included in each department configuration. In the engineering industry, it is normally a part of Admin work. In the hospitality industry, it is an independent and important department! In some companies like yours, it may have been included in your department as a part of Admin work!

And in any case, as HR, you are required to only make "Housekeeping" happen and NOT do it yourself! Since you are a Manager, you are bound to get it done through menial staff but ENSURE that it is done well and properly!

I do not think you are upset, but if you are, there is NO reason to be upset. All work is important to the organization!

Regards,
Samvedan

January 2, 2011

Dear Naveen, your posting of such a question itself indicates that you don't seem to be pleased to have this task on your to-do list. You need to have a clearly defined job description and discuss it with your reporting senior.

HR & ADMIN Responsibilities

In engineering companies, housekeeping is often collated under "HR & ADMIN" work, and the same might apply to your case. Get clarity on that, but obviously, there is usually a separate staff for this. You just need to supervise it and take necessary actions. Gradually, train any subordinate of yours to take on this supervisory task as well, so you need to interfere only in serious issues. Do the same with all non-value-adding tasks and concentrate on core HR work.

Hope it clarifies your need. 

Best regards,
Regards

Leadership in Housekeeping Management

Hello, as a manager, you should "know the way, go the way, make the way." I would suggest you take this as an opportunity to demonstrate your leadership. You may form a cross-functional team that involves lower to middle-level management members, meet periodically, establish standards of housekeeping, create a platform for sharing experiences, and use that feedback to train the cleaning agency supervisor. Conduct periodic cross audits, etc.

This process can be extended beyond the cross-functional team by involving team members at all levels. Your role can be a facilitator in this process, and I am sure you will achieve excellent results.

As shared by Samvedan, you may not have been formally trained in housekeeping during your MBA. However, certain areas such as TQM, Kaizen, and 5S would include housekeeping. The deliverable of HR remains in running the project from a strategic view and being a think tank for these OD events.

You may be on top of such programs, knowing how to troubleshoot when an escalation arises. You do not run them but rather act as a custodian to Admin to ensure certification is completed. More importantly, housekeeping might, at times, be connected to the safety and well-being of the employees, especially on a shop floor. That's the point where housekeeping becomes a part of HR purview.

Please find the links with detailed discussions and documents on the roles of the HR Department:

- Responsibilities of the HR
- HR Roles with housekeeping mapped into the responsibilities

Regards,

If you are an HR professional in a Hospitality Services firm, then yes, it's your duty to look into matters related to housekeeping. This can involve issues related to employees, managers, cleaning complaints, etc.

Thanking you,
Pramod.

Hi Naveen, housekeeping and security are both administration activities that fall under the Admin section. Most large companies have a separate Admin department that oversees all housekeeping, security, and gardening activities. However, in some companies, the HR department is assigned additional Admin responsibilities.

Dear Mr. Samvedan, Housekeeping is a part of the Admin Department and ensures the cleanliness of the organization's environment. It is the responsibility of the HR/Admin Department to ensure and provide a well-working condition for their employees.

I read your comments, but according to the Factories Act of 1934, housekeeping is a legal requirement, and you must ensure that all working conditions are standardized.

Regards, Imran Mahmood - Pakistan
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Hello, Thanks for pointing that out. If you consider the context in which I responded, the message I intended to convey was that there is no law that states Housekeeping is a part of the HR function. The words in brackets were not included as necessary. I acknowledge my oversight. I apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Regards, Samvedan

Housekeeping and HR Responsibilities

Housekeeping is a part of the Admin Department and ensures cleanliness due to the organization's environment. It is a responsibility of the HR/Admin Department to ensure and provide a well-working condition to their employees.

Mr. Samvedan, I have read your comments, but according to the Factories Act 1934, housekeeping is mandated by law, and you must ensure that all working conditions meet standardized requirements.

Regards, Imran Mahmood - Pakistan

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Responsibilities of the Admin/HR/IR Department

Housekeeping, upkeep of the office environment, strengthening of security and its setup, and any tasks not covered by others in the office premises will be considered the responsibility of the Admin/HR/IR department. Never feel hesitant to undertake any type of work you are assigned. Whatever task you are handling, give it your best effort. Strive to become a perfectionist in your area of work.

With warm regards,

S. Bhaskar

Dear Naveen, you are really "brave." Good. I was going through the responses of each person in this forum to your question. You had upset quite a good number of people by the way you threw your question. However, your acceptance and highlighting that in the interest of "future" surely shows you have mellowed down. Not many things done by people are well appreciated by them. Let us not put it down on someone else's court.

Housekeeping: A Noble Job

Housekeeping is a noble job. It keeps everyone happy and in good moods. We are the custodians of people, and we need to give them good sanitation and a hygienic environment. Accept housekeeping as ours.

May I request all the other members to appreciate Naveen for this beautiful nature of his.

It depends on which industry you represent. In fact, years back and even now, in traditional organizations, there is a blur between HR and Admin. Anything that's not operations, not finance, not marketing, or sales is definitely admin and hence HR.

As an HR manager, I am in a position to handle security and housekeeping duties too.

I see that you are upset. Have you encountered this issue in your office? Firstly, please understand that the Housekeeping department is not solely responsible for cleaning restrooms and sweeping floors. It is a crucial sector that ensures our office environment is hygienic and safe. I believe that Employee Hygiene and Safety factors should fall under the HR department. Nowadays, the presence of the office is essential in MNCs, and the presentation provided by the Housekeeping department plays a significant role in this. Therefore, it should be considered a part of Housekeeping.

This matter is not industry-dependent; it should be a standard in every industry. I hope you can understand this. Thank you and goodbye.

Best regards,
Prabhakaran. P
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Housekeeping and HR Responsibilities

Housekeeping is an essential department that ensures the smooth running of the company. As per my knowledge, the HR department will take care of housekeeping as well. Let me offer you some suggestions:

• Always consider hiring outside contractors for housekeeping.
• Assign a supervisor specifically for the housekeeping staff.
• Have HR conduct daily rounds in the factory to identify areas that need cleaning.
• Develop a checklist for all departments on the shop floor and other areas, and monitor them regularly.

I hope these suggestions are helpful in maintaining a clean and organized work environment.

Thank you.

Dear Naveen, the views expressed by Samvedan and (Cite Contribution) and the documents referred to are more than enough to address your query. However, in certain organizations, admin activities are separated from HR and added under the Facility Management function. Housekeeping, security, building maintenance, etc., come under Facility Management. If your organization's structure has two separate functions for HR and Facility Management, then you have the answer here. Having said that, in the majority of organizations, Facility Management/Administration is considered part of the HR function, and accordingly, the accountability for housekeeping rests with HR only.

All the best,
Regards

If you are responsible for the complete gamut of HR & Admin functions, it is definitely within your purview. In smaller companies where you do not have separate HR & Admin departments, HR is responsible for all aspects of Admin, including housekeeping, security, transportation, canteen, etc. I hope this helps clarify the responsibilities within HR and Admin functions.

Best regards,
Regards

Housekeeping and the HR Department

Housekeeping is part of the Admin Department and ensures good housekeeping practices for the organization's environment. It is the responsibility of the HR/Admin Department to ensure and provide a well-working condition for their employees.

Housekeeping Responsibilities in Companies

Housekeeping is a major part of the company and should be taken care of by Administration. However, most companies combine HR/ADMIN departments, and both department responsibilities are often handled by the HR Department. This is my suggestion for the smooth running of our operations and to ensure that we take responsibility. It will be good for the future.

Regards,
Rajendra
Bhubaneswar
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Housekeeping is administrative work, not the HR department's responsibility. However, these days, many industries are seeking control over housekeeping by HR personnel.

HR's Role in Housekeeping Compliance

According to the Factories Act of 1948, it is mandatory to provide a healthy environment for employees. Therefore, it is the HR department's responsibility to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Regards

In simple words, if you are responsible for both Admin and HR functions, then housekeeping is a part of your job as well. This includes supervision rather than cleaning and other errands.

Thanks.