Facing Housekeeping Staff Shortages in Retail: How Can We Tackle This Together?

Housekeeping Staff Challenges

We are facing the following problems with our housekeeping staff:

• Shortage of housekeeping staff in the stores.
• Vendors consistently fail to provide housekeeping staff in the stores during festive sessions.
• Need for additional housekeeping staff in the stores for the new project.
• Issues with material consumption.

I am seeking your valuable input to address these issues on a priority basis. Kindly share your insights or provide a draft copy of the agreement.

Regards,
Anu Kumar
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Automation and Housekeeping Challenges

This is a common problem being faced all over the world. As we move up the ladder of development, we will encounter difficulties in finding people to perform unskilled jobs like cleaning. Developed nations have attempted to make these jobs skilled through automation and attract people. Unfortunately, many in India still try to solve this problem only through higher salaries or leave it to subcontractors to handle. Shrewd operators have insisted on automation.

I will not recommend full automation in India, but we need to look at partial automation. I can name a few:

• Vacuum cleaning using industrial vacuum cleaners.
• Drip irrigation for gardening.
• Mechanical methods for cleaning toilets.
• Computerization of gate pass at the gate with photocards.

Please remember that if an organization believes in cleanliness as an integral part of their business, they will not hesitate to change certain methods.

Housekeeping vs. Cleaning

Housekeeping is different from cleaning. Housekeeping is everyone's job. If I am doing a job, it is essential that I organize and keep the output in the assigned place, whereas cleaning is something that needs to be done periodically to remove accumulating dirt/dust. If we do our job correctly, then the requirement for cleaning will drastically reduce. For example, we throw papers on the floor instead of throwing them in the dustbins.

Also, examine how many housekeeping employees are used for other jobs like serving tea, transferring files/papers, etc.

Thank you for your valuable input. This time, I am going to change the vendor for the same service, so I am looking for the best possible clause to include in the contract to resolve these issues. If you can recommend the best clause, it will be helpful for me.

Regards,
Anu Kumar

Good day! I have worked with a similar service provider, and we have encountered the same complaints from our clients. I suggest you arrange a meeting with your current vendor to understand the causes of these problems. Housekeeping is usually modernized in some Asian countries.

Common Issues in Housekeeping Services

The problem typically stems from a lack of manpower and the need for constant communication with the vendor. Hope this helps.

While you have decided to change the contractor this time, it is advisable to find the root cause and understand the reasons for such absence and unavailability of housekeeping staff. Have a common meeting or a one-to-one meeting with the contractor and his staff to understand their problems as well.

Another idea is to appoint a senior person from the housekeeping staff itself as a semi-supervisor, someone who shares a good rapport and good relations with them. This person should be able to balance both sides. Perhaps, this approach will work for you.

All the best!

Regards,
Vaishalee Parkhi

Please look at other alternatives on how to reduce housekeeping man-hours and manage housekeeping with the existing staff. Though it may seem unusual initially, with proper training, I believe it is achievable.

Regards,
H. Sundara Raman