All about Hotel Housekeeping as a Career, Housekeeping Salaries, Housekeeping Benefits and more on Mywage Zambia
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By Sanday Chongo Kabange
Housekeeping is a career option that has attracted a large percentage of young women with a passion for service excellence in the hospitality industry. It is a career that offers a sustainable monthly income. In Zambia, young women are taking up Housekeeping as a career in new hotels, lodges and guest houses. “There are overwhelming rewards in Housekeeping, especially for young women with no income. It is a career that offers a sustainable monthly salary. Jobs are sometimes hard to come by, and one area that has opportunities is the hospitality sector. We receive over 1,500 applications a year from people expressing interest in working in hotels and lodges. This shows you how much interest there is in Housekeeping,” says Molly Thompson, a Recruitment Supervisor at Molly Recruitments Zambia.
Job Description
Working as a Housekeeper in a hotel entails providing room service, cleaning and maintaining hotel rooms, re-stocking room amenities, changing bedding, towels and linen, handling basic client complaints and ensuring excellent room management. A career as a Housekeeper requires a great deal of organisational skill, ability to communicate well with guests and staff, and the discipline of upholding service excellence.
Qualification Requirements
A full Grade 12 Certificate is recommended for someone interested in Housekeeping. However, in some circumstances, applicants with a passion for the job are allowed entry upon completion of tailor-made short courses. Ideally, knowledge and basic skills in Hotel and Catering can open up even higher opportunities for those interested in a Housekeeping Career. “There are a number of colleges in this country that offer Catering and Housekeeping courses in this country. They know about the need to have Housekeepers in different hospitality establishments,” says Molly.
Wage Bill
Depending on the size, hotel ranking and employer, a Housekeeper can earn a monthly salary from as low as K 350, 000 to as high as K 1, 000, 000. The Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act CAP 276 (as amended in May 2006), provides for a minimum wage of K400, 000 per month for service workers in hotels, lodges and guest houses.
Working Hours
The working hours for Housekeepers vary according to the establishment. In some establishments, Housekeepers work in shifts of about nine hours. That is from 5am to 1pm then 2pm to 10pm. While Zambian legislation states every employee should work at least eight hours per day or 45 hours a month, this is not always the case for Housekeepers due to the demands of their work. The good part. Though, is that Housekeepers are entitled by law to Medical Aid, Annual Leave and bonus allowances through Service Charges. Those that are lucky also receive tips from guests. Tips are one way of showing appreciation for the work of Housekeepers and their service to customers.
Prospects
Depending on the work performance or how much experience one gains as a Housekeeper, one can be elevated up the ladder to a supervisory or managerial role. This would be included with periodic training and extra responsibilities.