Disasters are unpredictable and unfortunately happens often everywhere. As housekeepers, we are trained to always keep guests’ doors closed. We are not allowed to let other guests in besides the guests who are registered on our board. If they forgot their key, we must check their ID or they will have to call front desk for further information. Also, we are not allowed to keep the doors unlock at all times, unless we are getting some extra towels really quick. After we close the door, we have to check a second time to make sure the doors are closed properly. These are to protect guests’ properties.
Housekeepers are also required to be on a look-out for anybody or anything that might look suspicious. If we see someone who looks suspicious, we must call security right away with as detailed information as possible, and they will come and investigate right away. If we see anything that might appear as weapons or anything hazardous in the room or in the hallways, we also call security base right away.
Our resorts have cover tops outside the rooms, so even if it rains, the guests would still be protected under these tops. I know some other resorts that doesn’t have the cover tops and housekeepers are still required to work and push their carts under the rain.
Although natural or manmade disasters are unpredictable and might not have occured before, managers should always plan things out to better prepare for the future. Once a disaster strikes, guests and employees tend to panic and start stressing. When a crowd of people starts to stress and panic, it’ll become a chaos and nothing will be done, but if the manager better prepares for the future with plans and prepared supplies, even if theres a disaster, things will still work out fine. This is why planning ahead of time is very important. Managers must remain calm at all times and have a plan in the back of their head so that when the disaster really does happen, people can execute the managers’ plans much more smoother and it won’t be such a ‘disaster’ anymore.
What criteria do they offer you to help you decide what a “suspicious guest” looks like? I can easily understand how to identify weapons or hazardous material but a suspicious guest would need to include some guidelines.
When the security base came to train us on how to be on an look-out, they described a “suspicious guest” as someone who looks “out of place”. For example, if we see someone who’s lurking around guests’ room or peeking inside the window. If someone is dressed in a certain way like with a lot of layers of clothing even though the weather in Florida is hot, we should find them suspicious. They also said how we should never ask them directly for our own safety, but instead, go somewhere we feel safe, and call base right away.