In this episode, we will review certain housekeeping management routine habits that can actually trigger a devastating avalanche effect on your department's performance — costing you money, time, peace of mind, and possibly your position in the long run.
Trap 1 — Cruising When You Should Still Be Steering
You established your procedures, completed your training programmes, your team is highly motivated, and the department is running well. You have seen the full yearly cycle — low season, high season — and learned your lessons from past mistakes. Everything feels under control. So you ease off the accelerator and start cruising, already planning a longer vacation this year.
Instead of taking two weeks during a slow period, you choose two weeks at the peak of high season — and chaos arrives in your absence.
Absenteeism goes up, performance goes down, work emergencies are not handled immediately, staff quarrels increase. A uniform delivery was received and issued even though the fabric colour and style were wrong. When you return, a thick folder is waiting on your desk — firefighting issues, customer complaints, and explanations to give to your General Manager.
Pro tip: You need to stay on top of things especially during peak period. This is when your team needs your presence the most. Perhaps only you have the skills to pull your personnel through the most demanding weeks of the year. Of course your assistant can handle issues in your absence — but not to 100%.
Trap 2 — Becoming Overly Friendly With Your Team
Another serious pitfall of housekeeping management routine is becoming overly friendly with your team. Some managers go as far as socialising with their staff after hours, posting photos together on social media.
Then reality hits. The same people you considered closest to you are found bad-mouthing you behind your back, drinking during work hours, or stealing items from the property.
When you are forced to dismiss that person, how will the rest of your team react? They may say: "Unbelieveable — her close friends turned out not to be so decent after all. And we wonder — did she know about this all along and did nothing because they were friends?"
Pro tip: I am not saying become a lone wolf — but maintain your professional distance at all times. Respect is built on authority and fairness, not friendship.
Trap 3 — Favouritism
Another trap that is extremely common and causes serious damage across all positions in housekeeping departments is favouritism. Certain staff members work only selected shifts, close friends of the Housekeeping Manager receive the best vacation periods year after year, there is no system in place to ensure shift fairness, and some personnel consistently receive the lightest duties.
The damage is silent but deep — your team sees everything, even when they say nothing.
Pro tip: Get your filing right and plan your shifts in detail. Use a structured shift planning tool (02. Personnel Shift Roster Programme) to ensure every decision is logical, documented, and traceable. Let your team know there is a clear and consistent sequence behind every action you take — and be ready to back it up with data.
Trap 4 — When Dedication Becomes a Blind Spot
Another serious pitfall is starting to see your company as family. You work long hours even when the business does not need you, you become institutionalised in the corporate environment, and you stop considering anything beyond the company itself. Everything you do, talk about, and feel revolves around the company — until one day you receive a letter saying:
"Thank you for your service. This is not personal and has nothing to do with your performance, but the company is facing financial difficulties and we need to proceed with layoffs."
It happens even to the highest-performing managers.
Pro tip: Love your company, respect your colleagues, and work hard — but never stop investing in your own professional growth. Stay aware of your progress, your value, and the opportunities around you. Loyalty is a virtue, but professional development is a responsibility — to yourself and your family. Gain experience, build long-term relationships — but never forget that it is a job role and not your entire life.
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