Should I Tip Cleaning Company Maids

By Author: Jonnathan Trout
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Tipping has long been an issue for customers and workers alike. Many occupations have become accustom to tipping as a part of their pay. Even the law allows some business whose staff regularly receives tips, like restaurants; pay less than the state minimum wage with the idea that the money will be made-up from customer gratuities. On the other hand, some patrons argue that the wages should be paid by the employer and not the customers and that a tip should be when service exceeds expectations and not just meet it. In other words, it should be optional. Regardless of your position, most understand that the problem with waitress pay is that the law has already made the consumer part of the pay scale and so most of us tip a minimum of say, ten to fifteen percent and go higher if service was exceptional. But what about in the case of Maids, should they get a tip as well?

Deciding whether or not to tip maids of the house cleaning service company is really a preference issue. Many hotels, particularly upscale establishments, expect maids from housekeeping services department to be tipped. If one is a stickler to principle, ...
... then the pay should be left to the establishment and not the patron. The maids are not being taxed on the money, even if they do not make the tip like waitresses in restaurants, so one is not taking money from them. Many people subscribe to the idea that they get paid for the housekeeping services with the cost of the lodging and a tip should not be required and in fact, discouraged.

Although some do not believe in tipping maids, many see it as necessary as well as moral. Most maids cleaning home or hotel rooms are paid near minimum wage. This is traditionally a labor-intensive job and the pay is not considered by many as adequate compensation. Theft can be common because the temptation is great and the need for additional money is high. Tipping helps to protect customers from theft. In other words, if a job pays well, reliable and honest workers can be found to fill the positions. If job pays particularly poor, the only people that will continue to work there are those that cannot get a job anywhere else. A general consensus of tipping housekeeping services staff working for a particular establishment helps to ensure a good staff will be there. In addition to the necessity of it, there is the morality of it. Many people do not consider a few extra dollars left to the house cleaning service staff a big amount of money, however to them, it adds up when they get it from each room. This takes a job that is hard work and pays poorly and turns it into a position that could be enough to pay bills and allow for savings. This huge lifestyle change for them is a matter of every patron adding a few dollars to their overall bill.

While tipping a person like a waiter is generally considered proper, for others in the service industry, like maids, the practice is a bit more uncommon. For some, not tipping is a matter of principle and for others it is a matter of necessity or morality. Some think that the housekeeping services should have already been paid and look to change the system through defiance while others acknowledge the system flaws but understand that it is in their best interest to tip to protect their belongings or their character. Whichever option you choose, understand that there is someone’s livelihood at stake and your decision affects them either way. For more info visit www.maidformommy.com/.