Murray Roberts talks about the need for migrant workers in hospitalit Murray Roberts talks about hospitality and the nee | Page 29

Employees must be able to work on their own initiative as well as in the team. I am ‘hands on’ and will never ask my team to do anything that I am not prepared to, and indeed do, myself. Communication, co-operation and flexibility play a huge part in the smooth running of the department. It can be both challenging and rewarding. Q3: WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST REWARDING IN YOUR ROLE AS A HEAD HOUSEKEEPER? H I find it very rewarding to observe a new employee, who has never worked in this environment, complete their training and become an efficient and competent member of the team. Every day is different, with new challenges, and it is very satisfying to get to the end of a very busy day knowing that everything has been completed and high standards maintained. Q4: DO YOU CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT AND IF SO HOW IS THIS IMPLEMENTED BY HOUSEKEEPING MANAGEMENT? H We try at the Castle to use products that are efficient, but at the same time, as natural and harmless as possible, to both the environment and to the staff that are using them. As an example, we use diluted white vinegar which has a great many cleaning uses. Q5: HOW DO YOU KEEP UP THE HIGH STANDARDS EXPECTED OF SUCH A LUXURY HOTEL AS THE CASTLE HOTEL? H We ensure that housekeepers are well trained and well motivated. As part of the training it is impressed on employees that a guest checking into a room will judge the whole hotel on that one room. If it is not cleaned to a high standard they will assume that all of the other rooms are the same. The highest levels of cleanliness must be maintained at all times to meet the guests expectations. Therefore spot checks on rooms are carried out on a regular basis. The Castle Hotel, Westgate, Lincoln, LN1 3AS. TEL: [phone] EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.castlehotel.net Housekeeping management 29