A housekeeper is a person responsible for the cleaning and
maintenance of the interior of a residence. The term is almost wholly applied
to females; males are generally referred to as house cleaners, head of household
staff, or, under the old British Imperial system as houseboys (regardless of
age).
In the great houses of the past the housekeeper could be a
woman of substantial power in the domestic arena. The housekeeper of times past
had her room or rooms cleaned by junior staff, her serving of food prepared and
laundry taken care of, and with the butler presided over dinner in the
Servants' Hall. Unlike other servants, she was addressed as Mrs. Last Name.
Today's head of household staff in a great house lives in
much the same manner, although smaller amount households can have enough money
large followers of servants with an elaborate chain of command. A housekeeper
also supervises and coordinates activities of household employees in a private
residence: Informs new employees of employer's desires and gives orders in work
methods and routines. She assigns duties, such as cooking and serving meals,
cleaning, washing, and ironing, adjusting work activities to accommodate family
members. She also instructions foodstuffs and cleaning supplies, keeps record
of expenditures and may hire and discharge employees. Also works in residence
employing a large staff.
The housekeeper is generally hired by and reports to the
lady of the house. The level to which the housekeeper supervises other staff differs
from household to household. In general, the staff of a luxurious house is
divided into departments, with the housekeeper in charge of all the female
staff with the possible exemption of the kitchen staff, who report to the cook,
and the between staff, who may report to the butler; in these cases the cook
and butler reported directly to the lady of the house.
In other households, particularly those of the very prosperous
who maintain several residences, the housekeeper is the definitive head of
household staff and may hire and fire junior staff, subject to the support of
the lady of the house, and make suggestion for senior staff. In this case, the
cook and butler report to the lady of the house through the housekeeper.
Housekeepers also work in hotels and resorts. Their job explanation
differs a little from the traditional housekeeper. Commercial housekeeping services carry out housekeeping duties, such as cleaning and stocking supplies in units
when assigned. Maintains a high cleanliness standard for all resort rental
units and provides top level customer service for guests.
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