Is Mousekeeping really a tippped position? - The Answer!

[bytheblood]

I emailed Guest Services, just because there is always some debate over housekeeping/mousekeeping being a tipped position.

And to the individual who said they don't like being called "Mousekeepers", that is their job title.

For the record, I do tip. I am not posting to suggest that one should or should not tip, only to provide the guest services answer regarding mousekeeping being a tipped position. I always assumed it was and I will continue to tip regardless.
______________________________________________________________

My email to Guest Services....
I see there is a big debate among those of us who frequent Disney about the pay status of a housekeeping position at Walt Disney World resorts.

I am under the impression that during one's visit, there could be several housekeepers upkeeping one's room. Is this correct? In addition, can you please tell me if a housekeeper's position is considered a "tipped" position or if they are considered a "salaried" position?

Also, can you please tell me official title of the individuals cleaning my room?


The reply from Guest Services.....
Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World. Resort.

The Cast Members who clean your room are indeed Mousekeepers.

Since most of us do not work 7 days a week, it is most likely that you will have more than one mousekeeper. These people work on an hourly rate. It is up to you whether you want to leave them a tip.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

 

[Lewisc]

Really not much of a debate. Disney lists the "tipped" positions and gives tipping guidelines in the resort "newspaper" you get when you check in. AFAIK housekeeping has never been included in the list.

The "debate" comes about when people use general vacation tipping guidelines as opposed to Disney specific ones.

The discussions about housekeeping is refreshing. People talking about leaving tips as an appreciation for good service as opposed to people trying to justify screwing a "tipped" worker out of their pay as a budget technique.

 

[bytheblood]

Really not much of a debate. Disney lists the "tipped" positions and gives tipping guidelines in the resort "newspaper" you get when you check in. AFAIK housekeeping has never been included in the list.

Well, smarty, not everybody has that "newspaper" in front of them when they are planning for a trip.

 

[safetymom]

Just to add to the information. At Disneyland Housekeeping is a tipped position. It is mentioned in the information given to you at check in and the book in the room.

Also seems a little strange that they refer to us unless someone from Housekeeping answered your email.

That won't stop me from tipping.

 

[Lewisc]

Well, smarty, not everybody has that "newspaper" in front of them when they are planning for a trip.

Agreed I was referring to the "debates" on these boards. Most of the people posting have been to Disney and have access to the "official" position.

Don't take this the wrong way, your E-Mail serves to confirm what a few of us have been posting for months. Don't put tipping housekeeping in the same cateogory as tipping waiters, valets and the like. Different compensation structure.

 

[eeyore0062]

Safetymom, I think that the reference to "us" means anyone who works, not just the Mousekeepers.

 

[Hippychickali]

Thank you bytheblood. Many of us have been saying this for a long time.

Ali

 

[bytheblood]

Also seems a little strange that they refer to us unless someone from Housekeeping answered your email.

What do you mean? Because she said, 'most of us don't work 7 days a week."?? I thought that was odd as well. I also never said I was visiting for 7 days either.

 

[bytheblood]

Don't take this the wrong way, your E-Mail serves to confirm what a few of us have been posting for months. Don't put tipping housekeeping in the same cateogory as tipping waiters, valets and the like. Different compensation structure.

I think you are just looking for something to be "right" about, I never categorized Mousekeeping with anything other than Mousekeeping. Read the title of my post again.

Thank you!

**If you were not directing that at me, and it looks like you were since you placed it in one paragraph, my apologies.

 

[bytheblood]

Thank you bytheblood. Many of us have been saying this for a long time.

Ali

Well you are welcome and I am sure they will love the surprises (cards) you are putting together for them. I would love to see a completed one.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

You are not obligated to tip anyone, anywhere. While in college, I worked for TGIFridays and we would beg management to give us a stamp or anything to mark on the bill something about gratuities for the many foriegn guests who were not familiar with the practice. We were told no because they did not want to presume anything from the customer as they might feel uncomfortable about being told about tipping. Some people tip, some don't. I was once given a small Christian comic book and a business card that said that they did not beleive that anyone should tip anywhere. (OK?!?! Whatever!!!)
That said, I tip most service positions. Waiters, Housekeepers, Tow truck drivers, valets, doorpeople, apartment supers, etc. Miss Manners says that you should tip Housekeeping and as I've said before, don't you want to keep the people happy who have access to your toothbrush while you're not around!

 

[bytheblood]

I was once given a small Christian comic book and a business card that said that they did not beleive that anyone should tip anywhere. (OK?!?! Whatever!!!)

That is not a typical Christian belief. Maybe a denominational belief or even something within a particular church, but not a belief by a Christian. My girlfriends and I go out to lunch and we tip well if the service is great and we tip 15% if the service was not that great.

........ and as I've said before, don't you want to keep the people happy who have access to your toothbrush while you're not around!

There is a reason you chose "Laugh O Grams" as your name, you are always so funny!! I always enjoy your posts.

 

[Hippychickali]

I think you are just looking for something to be "right" about, I never categorized Mousekeeping with anything other than Mousekeeping. Read the title of my post again.

Thank you!

Oi! I don't think Lewis was attacking you. He was talking about the many people who have argued that Mousekeepers are the same as those working in tipped positions.

Ali

 

[bytheblood]

Oi! I don't think Lewis was attacking you. I talking about the many people who have argued that Mousekeeper are the same as those working in tipped positions.

Ali

You may be right, however since he lumped all of that in one paragraph, I took that as he was directing his sentence to me.

'Don't take this the wrong way, your E-Mail serves to confirm what a few of us have been posting for months. Don't put tipping housekeeping in the same cateogory as tipping waiters, valets and the like. Different compensation structure.'

 

[Mr.BsMom]

OK, so I have a question... If you DO choose to tip Mousekeeping, do you leave something each day of your stay, or just at the end?? And if it's just at the end, how do you know that every mousekeeper that came in contact with your particular room will get any of it?

Just curious...??

 

[safetymom]

I tip every day no matter what hotel I am staying at. That way they may miss out on one tip if they aren't working. If you tip at the end and they are off they will miss quite a bit.

 

[bytheblood]

OK, so I have a question... If you DO choose to tip Mousekeeping, do you leave something each day of your stay, or just at the end?? And if it's just at the end, how do you know that every mousekeeper that came in contact with your particular room will get any of it?

Just curious...??

"Since most of us do not work 7 days a week, it is most likely that you will have more than one mousekeeper. These people work on an hourly rate. It is up to you whether you want to leave them a tip."

You should tip daily. If you wait until the end of your stay, "Mary" gets $25 for "Tina", "Tammy", "Rosa" and "Andre's" efforts.

 

[Lewisc]

Oi! I don't think Lewis was attacking you. He was talking about the many people who have argued that Mousekeepers are the same as those working in tipped positions.

Ali

Exactly what I meant.

 

[bytheblood]

Exactly what I meant.

Lewis, that was not clear...I truthfully thought you were directing that comment to me. I apologize.

 

[Hippychickali]

OK, so I have a question... If you DO choose to tip Mousekeeping, do you leave something each day of your stay, or just at the end?? And if it's just at the end, how do you know that every mousekeeper that came in contact with your particular room will get any of it?

Ali