My mother found a letter on her door from the establishment, requesting a $10.00 per month gratuity as a Christmas thank you for the housekeeping staff. I'm not sure exactly what that means. $10.00 for each month of the year that you have resided there or $120.00 from each resident for a years service. It said they can't ask for a gratuity, but can request as a thank you at Christmas time. How should this be handled? Should I request more information about what they want? Note, I was already considering doing this before this letter appeared.
I put this under Assisted Living as none of the topics apply. This is a retirement establishment that provides light housekeeping, etc as part of your monthly rent. No care giving involved.
it is an investor owned facility and they host a holiday party for staff with door prizes and I believe the funds raised from the families go to cash bonuses to all staff including nurses
although I give to the fund, I also regularly bring in treats for staff including housekeeping and kitchen because I see how hard these folks work
A letter goes out after the new year letting us know how much was raised and how much each employee received. No names are mentioned
This seemed to us to be a better way of doing things that individual "tipping" of employees; those who did and did not participate were not identified (although clearly management knew) so it prevented employees from comparing what residents gave to whom. Seemed fairer all around.
At the NH, staff was prohibited from taking gifts in any form and so we simply brought LOTS of treats all year long.
Your Mom pays for cleaning in her AL as part of her rent. I think its wrong for a facility to request a certain amt for a gratuity or even give an idea unless asked. Maybe a note saying "during the upcoming Holidays please remember ur housekeeping staff" period. My husband is very generous until someone tells him what "they" feel should be given.
My question is, why not the whole staff. CNAs do a lot more than housekeeping. There is the kitchen staff. Maintenance man. And I bet these people work just as hard or harder than housekeeping. No one can force u to pay a gratuity. Its volunteer. Is Moms housekeeper the same one all the time. If so, I would rather hand an envelope directly to her. I don't like throwing tips into one pot. Because, there r people who do a good job and those who don't.
I would look at it as a suggestion and give what you feel is appropriate. Do they clean very well or so so. If they don't like it Oh Well.
Do I tip my doctor or dentist when I go in...no, absolutely not. Do I tip the cashier at the grocery store for ringing up my food. Heavens no. Do I tip the FedEx man every time he delivers a package...no. They are paid to do these things. It is their job.
If your mother would like to give a small gift to her favorite caregiver as a thank you...sure, but there is no reason for monetary gifts and I for one believe the facility is out of line. If they want their housekeeping staff to have extra money at Christmas time, as an employer, they should give a Christmas bonus, not bother the residents to do it for them.
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