Standards and reliability

What professional means

A professional housekeeper does more than clean. You look after a family's home, and in doing so you look after their comfort, safety and peace of mind. Employers want someone they can trust and depend on, every day.

The habits employers notice

• Punctuality. Arrive on time, every day. If you cannot, tell your employer as early as you can, and do not just send a message at the last minute.
• Reliability. Do what you say you will do, and finish tasks properly. Check your work before you say it is done.
• Honesty. If you break something or make a mistake, say so straight away. Hiding a problem is worse than the problem itself.
• Appearance and hygiene. Wear clean, neat work clothes and closed shoes. Keep your nails short and your hair tied back. Wash your hands often.
• Attitude. Be polite, calm and willing to learn. Accept feedback without arguing.
• Initiative. If you see something that needs doing, such as a leaking tap or empty soap, tell the employer.

Good communication

Clear communication prevents many problems.

1. Ask for details at the start: what you should do, when, and how the family likes it done.
2. Repeat instructions to check you understood. "So you want the windows cleaned on Friday, and the children's room done before lunch?"
3. Ask for help if you do not know how to use a machine or a product. It is better to ask than to damage something.
4. Speak politely about problems, and choose a calm time.

Responsibilities and limits

Agree your duties with your employer, preferably in writing. A list of duties will often include cleaning, laundry, kitchen care and shopping. It may not include care of the children or of an older person, unless it was agreed.

Professional	Not professional
Follows the agreed schedule	Does only what she feels like
Reports breakages at once	Hides broken items
Asks before using unfamiliar products	Mixes products to see what happens
Uses the phone in breaks	Chats on the phone while working

Examples

In a home in Karen, Nairobi, Grace arrives at 7.45 am for an 8 am start. She changes into her uniform, washes her hands and checks the day's list. In a family home in Dubai, Mercy writes down instructions in a small notebook, and asks the employer to show her how to use the new steam iron.

Remember: Employers often remember a housekeeper's honesty and reliability longer than her speed.

Key points

• Professional housekeepers are punctual, reliable, honest, clean and polite.
• Good communication means asking for details, repeating instructions and speaking up politely.
• Agree your duties with your employer, preferably in writing, and ask before you do a task you are not sure about.
• Report mistakes and breakages immediately.