Your New Housekeeper Needs Professional Training
Any new member of staff, whether experienced or not, would benefit from professional training. We know that as a housekeeper in a private household, roles and responsibilities will differ from house to house. Sometimes housekeepers are working alongside a team. Very often the team members can shadow new staff to ensure they learn the ropes. However, we also know that with principals in residence, the lack of time does not always allow for this.
As a solo housekeeper in a new role this can be a daunting start. Not knowing where to begin. Training can offer guidance and support as well as learning new techniques. This can build confidence and ensure a positive start in a new role. As the Principal, time does not always allow to show the new housekeeper what is expected. Training can offer a professional approach with the guidance in correct techniques.
Inheriting Bad Habits
Staff in private houses and estates may not have received training. Of course they know how to do their job. However, after a while bad habits can start to form. New staff members can join and instantly inherit bad habits. Misunderstanding the correct way to complete a task merely because they have never been trained. Many households are guilty of carrying on with how something runs just because they always have. Not questioning why or looking at making positive changes can be seen as narrow minded and non progressive.
How to Prepare
Make a note of everything that you liked about your previous Housekeeper and anything you did not like. This allows you to see if the pros and cons are skill based or perhaps mindset based.Was there a handover? A newly trained housekeeper can ensure that systems are put in place immediately. This allows for consistency and a smooth transition if the housekeeper is away and there is a temporary replacement. It saves principals time having to explain requirements time and time again.
Longevity and Retention
All staff like to feel appreciated and even more so when they are working in a personal setting. Most people that work in domestic service do so because they enjoy pleasing people. Give them the best start. Personality and flexibility are key attributes and a great base to build from with training. It shows staff members are appreciated and given the best start possible. Investing in their future benefits everyone. Many staff who embark on work related courses often sign an agreement.This states that they will remain working at the property for at least one year after the training commences. This gives security for homeowners.
What will they Gain
Most staff feel motivated by training and tend to be more successful in employment. They will gain new skills and methods. This will ensure they work in an efficient way. It provides them with an opportunity to enjoy their work and take pride in what they do. Tailoring training to requirements for each house and how it is maintained.
They have been a Housekeeper for many years already, so why does your new Housekeeper need Professional Training?
Training from the beginning sets clear guidelines and expectations to maintain high standards. Structure in a workplace is important and allows for efficiency.. There are many ways to perform your duties. Systems are in place because they work well, or maybe they don’t. It prevents problems from happening. Staying up to date with new ways and methods to be implemented in housekeeping. We train staff to know how to wash cashmere. Preventing the cashmere jumper being placed in the washing machine at 40 degrees!! We can guide housekeepers through bespoke training, help create systems and checklists to enable settling in quickly.
Your New Housekeeper Needs Professional Training and Polo and Tweed are here to help. We run bespoke Housekeeping training courses in situ, open to all backgrounds, skills and abilities. We also offer E-Online Housekeeper training. Why not get in touch here to find out more. If you’d like to chat with us, please do get in touch by giving us a call on +44(0)203 858 0233.