Companies use two types of audits to ensure that their internal procedures are being followed: operational and financial. In the housekeeping industry, operational audits ensure that rules are followed regarding the cleaning of rooms and facilities. Safety precautions should also be tested to ensure that the personnel are following these rules as well. Operational audit tests may vary depending on the housekeeping requirements and facilities being cleaned. Financial audits test the money spent on the housekeeping operations.
Operational housekeeping audits start by reviewing the written procedures for housekeeping personnel. These procedures are then followed through a room that has been recently been cleaned to determine if the procedures have been followed. Housekeeping personnel may also be quizzed by auditors to determine how well they know the procedures. Auditors may suggest changes to the procedures depending on any deficiencies found in the procedures.
Larger scale operational audits will test several facilities or rooms to determine how they have been cleaned and if the housekeeping personnel completed each task thoroughly and consistently. Housekeeping personnel may also be rotated on their cleaning assignments to determine how each employee cleans the room or facility; differences in the cleaning methods indicate that personnel are not properly trained by the company.
Housekeeping companies and personnel may employ the 5S method of cleaning, which means sort, straighten, sweep, standardize, and sustain. Each step under the 5S method contains certain rules the housekeeping staff must follow, depending on the facilities being cleaned. When reviewing this type of cleaning method, each step is audited to ensure that each step is followed by the housekeeping staff.
Financial portions of housekeeping audits determine how much money is spent on the supplies needed for housekeeping personnel. Audits test the procedures used in purchasing cleaning supplies to ensure that no theft is occurring for these items. Purchase orders will be reviewed to determine who is approving the supply orders and who receives them into the company. Breakdowns in these procedures may allow theft to occur by dishonest employees. Auditors will also review any repair bills that have been generated due to improper cleaning procedures; these amounts negatively impact the housekeeping company by raising overhead costs.
