12.40: INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLES: Diversity in Housekeeping — Addressing the Gender Balance
Chaired by Marjona Aslitdinova, executive housekeeper at Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana Abu Dhabi, the session discussed the current male to female ratio in housekeeping departments and whether that ought to change. The statistic is estimated to be an average 70% male to 30% female ratio. This figure, Aslitdinova and the roundtable attendees agreed, is more realistically 80% male to 20% female at the average hotel in the region.
“What ratio do we want then?” prompted Aslitdinova. The group offered very different opinions on the perfect ratio in housekeeping. Anushya Paramasivam, room division manager at Radisson Blu Residence Dubai Marina, argued for a 50/50 ratio as the perfect balance.
Other delegates insisted that the current 80/20 split is an ideal. Asif Khatri, executive housekeeper at Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort was adamant that an 80/20 split is a good ratio, specifically with regards to the room attendant role, since Khatri argued, the role is essentially a “physical job, and it is difficult for ladies to push the heavy trolleys”.
Khatri and most of the attendees conceded that women have positive skills to bring to the supervisory role in housekeeping. Delegates continued to discuss the merit of the female versus male skill sets, some suggesting women are not strong enough for the room attendant role, and also not quick enough as a result. Others argued that the quality of clean by women room attendants tends to be better. Aslitdinova said she believed, in her experience, female staff tend to be “more stress resistance than males”.
“Even if you wish to have more women on the team, all the CVs I receive are always for men. Perhaps one CV for a female. We need to address this with the agencies,” suggested Paramasivam.
The Housekeeping Hierarchy — The Next Generation of Housekeeping
Pamini Hemaprabha, executive housekeeper, regional rooms specialist & master trainer, Emirates Palace discussed the right hierarchy and job titles for the industry.
The discussion centred on how job titles play a psychological role with people moving jobs, even if the responsibilities stay the same. “Some say ‘directors’, some don’t believe in the word ‘directors’. If an assistant exec gets an ‘assistant director’ job, they will leave,” she said. One of the housekeepers pointed out that the other excom members have “directors” in the job title, while when it comes to housekeeping, it says “executive housekeeper”.
Many housekeepers also talked about keeping the hierarchy flat, leaner at the top, so the payroll is a logical percentage. Reporting to the hotel manager or GM should also be a part of the executive housekeeper’s role, said one, and Hemaprabha agreed, but added that in this market, this is a challenge. “If you ask around, you will see that maybe only 10% of housekeepers report to GMs. The others don’t,” she said.
Increasing Productivity — Tools of the Trade
Jumeirah Beach Hotel executive housekeeper Michele Millot headed a discussion about best practices amongst housekeepers.
While discussing tools for housekeepers, technology was the most discussed about progress made in each room. “We make use of a software called Rex at our properties,” said one of the housekeepers. While many housekeepers said they use the old fashioned method of the room phone to relay the message of the cleaned room, some even admitted to use Whatsapp group messages to get the information across.
The trolley was another important topic. “When we started off we used baskets, and as it kept getting full with linen it would be carried physically by two housekeepers. Today, we make use of proper trolleys and pantries and it makes life extremely easy and work can be done quicker,” said Tatjana Ahmed from Grand Hyatt Dubai.
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