Back of the House

Back of the House

The support areas behind the scenes in a hotel, including housekeeping, laundry, engineering/maintenance, security and food service. Also refers to the individuals who operate behind the scenes to make a guests stay pleasant and safe.

Departments involved:
Housekeeping Department Maintenance/engineering Department
Food Service Department Security Department

Housekeeping department
Must provide clean accommodation for the guests, while also determining an important part of the hotels impact on the environment. The heart of the lodging industry. Is responsible for ensuring that the rooms and related services are carried out smoothly to the satisfaction of the guests.

Housekeeping staffs:
Executive/chief housekeeper - The role of the executive housekeeper is to oversee that the housekeeping staff perform their duties according to the utmost satisfaction of the guests. - The head and representative of the department. Assistant chief housekeeper - Takes the responsibility of the chief housekeeper whenever the latter is absent or unavailable. - Responsible for the day-to-day administration of the housekeeping staff. Floor supervisor - Directs/supervises the cleaning and maintenance of the guest rooms on allotted floors. - Control the resources on the floor. Control desk supervisor - Department secretary - Supervises the lost and found procedures Room attendants - Chamber maids/room boy - Responsible for the cleaning of the guest rooms - Eyes and ears of the security team Housemen - Move heavy furniture and clean public areas, spaces, and furniture Linen room supervisor - Coordinates the exchange of soiled linen for fresh ones Uniform room supervisor - Responsible for keeping uniforms in safe storage conditions Laundry manager - Has a large brigade of washmen, dry cleaners, ironers, etc.

Maintenance
Provide mechanical and technical support to other operational departments. The maintenance personnel take care of the HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) equipment, which largely controls a hotels indoor air quality

Usually deals with equipment and appliances which will be eventually eliminated
Key player on indoor air quality

Food Service
Responsible for the distribution of foods and beverages in a hotel Takes care of the sanitation and safety of the foods

Food Service staff:

Executive Chef
Supervises the chefs Plans the menu Finds a supplier Assigns work duties

attendants
cooks; assists the station chef

commis
apprentice of the kitchen

Cooking staff:
Sous chef
Assists the executive chef

Chef de partie
Station chefs:
sauccier vegetable chef fish chef roast chef fry chef pantry chef pastry chef butcher

Non-cooking staff: kitchen clerk Expediter kitchen porter Dishwasher

Security
Responsible for the safety and security of the hotel Prevents employee theft, keeps trespassers out of the hotel, and investigates thefts and other security incidents

Works closely with the police to keep the hotel from being used to criminal activities, such as prostitution, and drug dealing.