Executive Housekeeping Today - Demo - (Page 10)

u.K. ClEaning (continued from page 5) Staff Contacts IEHA’s Association Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, Mon-Fri. Call toll free: (800) 200-6342 or (614) 8957166, or fax: (614) 895-1248. Or, write: I.E.H.A., 1001 Eastwind Drive, Suite 301, Westerville, Ohio 43081-3361; or email: excel@ieha.org. Visit us on the Web at www.ieha.org. We have changed to an automatic voice mail system. Dial the appropriate extension listed below for the department you wish to reach. If you are unable to reach the appropriate person, please leave a detailed message; we will return your call as soon as possible. ACCOUNTING: Tax and group exemption information ❈ ask for Beth Risinger, ext. 104. Accounts payable and receivable ❈ ask for Katie Adams, ext. 101, or e-mail her at kadams@ieha.org. CONVENTIONS: Seminars, exhibit and registration information ❈ ask for Beth Risinger, ext. 104, or e-mail her at brisinger@ieha.org. EDUCATION: General education information, exam results, self-study courses and information, status of CEH/REH applications, evaluation of transcripts, scholarships ❈ ask for Sarah Larsen, ext. 103, or e-mail her at slarsen@ieha.org. CHAPTER/DISTRICT INFO AND ACTIVITY, REBATES AND MINUTES ❈ ask for Beth Risinger, ext. 104, or email her at brisinger@ieha.org. EHT MAGAZINE: Publisher ❈ ask for Beth Risinger, ext. 104, or e-mail her at brisinger@ieha.org. EDITORIAL ❈ ask for Laura DiGiulio, ext. 102, or e-mail her at ldigiulio@ieha.org. ADVERTISING ❈ contact Barb Burgie at (614) 273-0783, or e-mail her at barb@ burgiemediafusion.com SUBSCRIPTIONS ❈ ask for Meghan Griesemer, ext. 108. MEMBERSHIP: New membership, member benefits, renewals, applications, prospect packets, dues received ❈ ask for Meghan Griesemer, ext. 108, or e-mail her at mgriesemer@ieha.org. POLICY: Administration, By-Laws, P&P questions ❈ ask for Beth Risinger, CEO/ Executive Director, ext. 104, or e-mail her at brisinger@ieha.org. PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES: PLACE ORDERS ❈ ask for Katie Adams, ext. 101, or e-mail her at kadams@ieha. org. CHECK ORDERS ❈ ask for Katie Adams, ext. 101, or e-mail her at kadams@ieha. org. INTERNATIONAL HOUSEKEEPERS WEEK information, specialty items ❈ ask for Meghan Griesemer, ext. 108, or e-mail her at mgriesemer@ieha.org. TECHNICAL QUESTIONS: Ask for Laura DiGiulio, ext. 102 or for Beth Risinger, ext. 104. Health and Safety Laws The U.K. is governed by very strict health and safety laws, which are set by both the British government and the European government. Companies now employ specialists to advise cleaning staffs about the required health and safety laws. For example, housekeepers are not allowed to use a stepladder without having a full training session, which must be signed off by the trainee and trainers. Gone are the days when room attendants were able to change light bulbs; now the maintenance team, or electrician in particular, has to be called to do this duty. Yes, it is more expensive, but we have to do it! All housekeepers have to have a full induction, which requires health and safety training that must be recorded, before they are allowed to work. This often adds costs to the job that is at hand and, as far as time goes, well, yes, you have guessed it—it can take ages to get the job done the way we perfectionists want it! there are no harsh chemicals in these environmentally-friendly products and they are harmless to the user and customers In the U.K., we can be fined for allowing chemicals into the drainage system. In addition, environmental health officers monitor effluent from our laundry regularly. Migrant Workers Environment The U.K. is one of the leaders in solving environmental issues, but some of these tactics cause challenges to the housekeeping professional. Some environmental areas are covered by law, such as recycling rubbish. All rubbish collected in the U.K. for landfill carries a large tax for business and the local authority, so cleaning professionals now have to separate rubbish into paper, glass, cans, etc. If not, the cost will grow each year and we all have to pay more taxes. This is an excellent way to encourage good practices! In addition, cleaning equipment and chemicals are required to be environmentally-friendly. Microbiological cleaning agents are being used for toilets and floors, assisting in removing smells and leaving the area clean and sanitized. Also, The U.K. is similar to the States in that we have a lot of migrant workers, now that Europe has opened the labour market. Standards written within performance manuals are now in several languages; however, rules are imposed that require all staff to speak in English. In the U.K., a lot of the migrant workers within the cleaning sector come from Poland and Eastern Europe, as working and living conditions are better in the U.K. So as you can see, the U.K. is similar in some ways to the practices and standards of the States, but is also different. Some of our practices have to be different for the care of the buildings and also in what our customers want. We are also required to achieve high productivity and cost value for our business. W Jean Roberts is the Chair of the Yorkshire and Northern Shires of the United Kingdom Housekeepers Association and Head Housekeeper of Hotel Du Vin in Harrogate, U.K. She may be reached at housekeeping@harrogate. hotelduvin.com. Ian Hughes is the National Chairman of UKHA and Parttime Lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University and Huddersfield Technical College. He may be reached at Ian. Hughes@devonshirehotels.co.uk. The UKHA, the U.K. sister to the I.E.H.A., is a non-profit association that aims to promote housekeeping as a career and ensure that hospitality students have housekeeping on the education syllabus so we can train our future professionals. For more information on the UKHA, please visit www.ukha. co.uk. 0 Executive Housekeeping Today/July 2007 http://www.ieha.org http://www.ukha.co.uk http://www.ukha.co.uk

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - Demo

Contents Executive Corner FTEs: A Fresh Approach to an Old Challenge Cleaning in the United Kingdom Frugal Housekeeper The Green Scene

Executive Housekeeping Today - Demo

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