Brewster by The Sea: Housekeeping Manual
Brewster by The Sea: Housekeeping Manual
Brewster by The Sea: Housekeeping Manual
Housekeeping Manual
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Introduction
The information contained here is vital to your successful employment and will assist you
in performing your job here at Brewster by the Sea. Please read all of this material.
Awareness is important and you will be expected not only to know and understand the
information here and to be able to relate and help others to understand it in the future.
After you have read this information, sign the last page, remove it and give it to an
Innkeeper.
Mission Statement
To provide a distinctive lodging experience in a comfortable and elegant atmosphere that
exceeds the expectations of our guests.
Service Definition
For the purposes of this manual, we will describe "service" as the essence of serving the
guest and the primary purpose of our mission. Immediate, professional and kind
attention to the needs of our guests is the ultimate and essential priority for all of us at
Brewster by the Sea.
Policies
You are the Inn in the eyes of the guests and an extension of the standards and policies
that represent Brewster by the Sea. It is important that, more than just learning this
information, you share in the beliefs and practices outlined here and exemplify them in
your employment. Every person at Brewster by the Sea is critical to its success. No one
individual is more important than the rest, except the persons who create the reason we
are here; The Guests.
The following are some common guidelines to follow in working with guests and peers
alike:
Treat those around you with respect and dignity
Greet them cheerfully
Serve guests as if they were in your own home
Make eye contact immediately and often
Do not rush
Give your full attention, listen and remember important information
Give complete information, if you can't answer a question,
direct them to someone who can
Be knowledgeable, if you don't know something, ask
Be sincere and trustworthy
Communicate with those around you
Interact with others professionally while in the Inn
Address guests and each other by name
Take pride in your work, your environment and yourself
Be polite and friendly
Smile and Enjoy yourself
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General Hygiene
Employees must maintain a high standard of personal hygiene. This is not solely in consideration
of the guest, but for your own personal self esteem. Portraying a positive self-image is essential
for your own well-being, but it also encourages others and reflects in your attitude and in the job
you do.
Dress Standards
When your shift begins you should be dressed and ready to work in appropriate clothing. It is
expected that all staff reflect the professional and upscale image of the Inn. Housekeeping
personnel should wear clean, pressed clothing.
Hair should be clean and appropriately styled, restrained if it does not stay behind the
shoulders or worn in a pony tail. As beautiful as your hair may be, no one wants to find it
in their tub or bed.
Jewelry should be kept to a minimum and be appropriate to the rest of the atmosphere.
Footwear should be in good shape. Shoes should not be excessively high or have a sole
that might damage wood floors – sneakers or sandals are fine provided they are clean.
Telephone
No personal phone calls while you are at the Inn.
Alcohol
No alcohol is to be consumed on the premises at any time unless authorized by an Innkeeper.
Smoking
Brewster by the Sea is a non-smoking Inn. There are no smoking facilities anywhere in the Inn or
on the grounds.
Breaks/Meals
You are entitled to a 15-minute break for every four hours of work. Unless there is employee food
available, lunch is your responsibility.
Shifts
You are responsible for your scheduled shift. Either you are here on time or you must notify an
Innkeeper that you have found an approved replacement.
Problem Resolution
Every employee, regardless of position, will be treated with respect, in a fair and just manner at
all times. We recognize that mistakes are made in spite of our best efforts. In order to correct
mistakes as soon as they happen we need to know of the problem or the complaint
immediately. No innkeeper is too busy to hear the problems or complaints of an employee.
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Guest Problems
If there is even the slightest notion that a guest is upset, inform an Innkeeper right away.
This will alert them to a potential "situation" and in the event that you are the reason the
guest is agitated, may lessen your involvement. Once an Innkeeper is aware of a
situation, a later guest comment, a letter or phone call, will not be the first notice of the
problem.
Unless there is a simple solution to a guest problem, it is always better to bring it to the
attention of an Innkeeper. They are in a position to remedy the situation and can do what
is necessary to make the guest happy.
Employee Conflict
Make sure you fully understand the situation and that you have all the facts.
Take responsibility for the problem and ask yourself if you can solve it yourself.
If the problem involves another person, always try to work through the conflict directly before
involving someone else.
If you are unable to resolve the problem with the other person, approach an Innkeeper.
Explain what you have already done to resolve the issue. Then, as impartially as you can,
explain your side of the problem.
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General Housekeeping Details to be Remembered:
Are the lights all working? Do they have the proper wattage bulb?
Is there an extra pillow and blanket in the room ? Make sure the extra pillow is NOT down-filled
Is the toilet paper roll more than half and folded to a point?
Are all the amenities full including the makeup removal cloth & lavender soap petals?
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Brewster by the Sea--Floor Plan
In addition to the following floor plan, each housekeeper should know the layout of each
room, what attributes each room and building have and what each room contains.( see
check list by room for details) This will be very helpful when cleaning rooms. The
following page is a schematic of the entire facility.
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Cleaning Kaddy/Closets
Disposable gloves
Paper towels
Furniture Polish
Small rags
Large rag for shower floor
Small trash bag roll
Eco Lab Glass Cleaner
Lysol Tub & Tile Cleaner
Lysol Cling toilet cleaner
Simply Green (for floors)
Soft Scrub w/ bleach (for hard to remove stains)
Fantastic (for hard to remove stains)
Lysol Sanitizing Wipes
Spot remover (for stains on sheets & towels)
Eco Lab Air freshener
Small brushes
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Brewster by the Sea
Housekeeping Procedures
Step by Step Approach to Cleaning
Bedroom
1. Open drapes and shades. Make sure shades are level and drapes pulled back
evenly. Open windows to air out room except in Winter.
2. Turn on all lights and check thermostat if too cold or hot. Check for burnt out bulbs.
Replace bulbs if necessary and dust light fixtures. Remove any food, drinks on tray,
etc.
3. Make sure that at least one light can be turned on by switch on wall at entry.
4. Collect all trash (check under beds, chairs, and tables and in drawers) and place clean
trash liners in all trash receptacles.
5. Immediately report any belongings left in rooms or broken items.
6. When making bed, start by removing all pillows and spreads to a chair (not on
the floor) Strip bed, and check mattress and mattress pad for stains, tears.
7. Gather up bed linens and put in pillowcase to be taken to the Orchard House
Laundry Room (ivory sheets are for Orchard House and white sheets are for
the Olde Farmhouse.) Gather up towels and put in a laundry basket. The
towels for the Olde Farmhouse are washed in the farmhouse basement and the
Orchard House towels are washed in the Orchard House basement (All sheets
are washed and ironed in the Orchard House basement)
8. Use slightly damp cloth on all surfaces not requiring polish such as window sills,
mantels, light bulbs, pictures, lamps etc.Use glass cleaner on TV surface and
glass tops.
9. Look at ceiling and lower corners, around lamps and ceiling fans and clean as
necessary.
10. Polish all wooden furniture with wood polish and use damp cloth for all metal
beds. Always polish or clean bed frame before making the bed with fresh
linens. Be sure that you don’t leave any of the oily residue on the furniture.
11. Make bed with “Hospital Corners.” and according to specific arrangements for
that room noted on the checklist. Top sheet should reach top of bed and turned
back 12” on top of duvet.
12. Make sure there is 2 clean glasses in each room along with 2 bathrobes and
appropriate towel sets.
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13. If you find any candles, please bring to the innkeeper and a note will be written
to guest advising of our no smoking or candle policy.
14. Make sure there are 6 white hangers and 4 pant hangers in closet.
15. Radios should always be set on low volume to FM 107.5. Turn to off position
Bathroom
1. Remove scatter rugs to carpet and shake gently (will vacuum carpet later)
2. Put on all lights in bathroom and open window if needed.
3. If shower was used, roll rubber bath or shower mat up in used bath towel to dry
and for hair clean later.
4. Line shower or tub floor with old bath mat marked with an “X” before cleaning.
5. Always dry shower liner with used hand towel and check for hairs. Towel should
be moist but not wet to pick up hairs. Spray plastic shower curtain lightly with
Tilex Shower Mist.
6. Spray and scrub tile walls, tub, and or shower doors with cleaning rags and Lysol
Tub & Tile spray starting from the top down. Make sure the shower head is
cleaned and all water spots removed. GET ALL HAIRS! If there is an excessive
amount of hairs in shower and on floor get the hand Oreck and vacuum up hairs
or use a broom.
7. Make a double check after cleaning tub or shower to ensure tub floors and sides
are free of hairs, moisture, tub rings, etc. and chrome is free of water spots.
8. Remove rubber bath mat from towel and check for hairs and make sure both
sides are dry. Roll up plastic mat and place on side of tub or place back in
shower.
9. Place a clean cloth bath mat (edges inside) over tub or shower side.
10. Use Soft Scrub for tub scratches or nail polish marks or extra deep grim.
11. Take a good look at the shower doors. If glass, make sure all water spots are
removed with glass cleaner.
12. Close bath curtain or shower door.
13. Spray sink and mirrors and all surfaces on or around sink with glass cleaner and
clean with a paper towel. Rub away any water spots on chrome and clean all
bath accessories. Use glass cleaner on mirror. Clean sink with Lysol Tub & Tile.
GET ALL HAIRS!
14. Flush toilet to remove any debris if necessary. Spray Lysol Tub & Tile Cleaner on
toilet back (top) and toilet handle. Squeeze Lysol Cling inside toilet bowl and use
brush under sink to clean sides. Flush toilet. Use Clorox wipes on entire seating
surface and inside rim of toilet last. Let air-dry. For any yellow staining use Soft
Scrub with Bleach and rinse and dry.
15. Wipe baseboards and bathroom floor with Simply Green and a rag by hand GET
ALL HAIRS! Clean toilet bottoms and back of bathroom doors for dust or
smudges.
16. Remove rubber shower mat from rolled up towel and double check for any hairs.
For stays, spray top of mat with Tilex Shower Mist. For check outs, wipe top of
mat with Clorox wipes to sanitize mat for next guest.
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17. Check bathroom lights for dust; wipe windowsills, pictures, blow dryers, etc.
18. Make sure soap trays and glasses are cleaned and replaced dry. If this is a stay
glasses are rinsed under hot water and dries with a paper towel. All soaps
including the petal soaps should be dried with a paper towel. Remember not to
use your cleaning ray to clean away soap scum from petal soaps and bar soaps
since this will spread the soap scum on other surfaces. Use new soaps and clean
glasses from kitchen for checkouts.
19. Restock if necessary under sink or in closet 2 green spa towels, 1 extra toilet
paper and 1 Kleenex box..
20. Restock bathroom with 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 2 face cloths, 2 bathrobes
and 1 bathmat. If a deluxe room (Rifugio, BayBerry,SeaMeadow, BeachBlossom
& Garden) include an extra bath towel. Place 1 make-up cloth and makeup
remover packet in makeup cup on sink counter. Place the following items in the
amenity cabinet: rectangle deodorant soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion,
body wash, sewing kit and shower cap. In soap dish place round refresher soap
with 3 lavender soaps and the petal soap instruction sheet. If the room is a “stay”
wipe off soaps and replace only the towels left on the floor or towels and
bathrobes that are excessively wet. Retie all dry bathrobes with a knot (bows on
bathrobes are to signal not used bathrobes that do not need to be replaced on a
checkout.
21. Arrange towels and bath amenities in an eye-pleasing manner!
22. Replace clean wastebasket with new liner and shaken bath rugs. Shut off lights
and close door.
After stripping the bed and placing shams and spreads on a chair, make sure
the mattress pad is pulled tightly and is free from wrinkles
If room is a stay, without a linen change (sheets are replaced every 2 days and
will be noted on the morning assignment sheet) pull duvet and top sheet down
to the bottom. Smooth out bottom sheet. Use hand towel to remove any hair,
sand, etc. If you find stains that cannot be removed change sheets and
pillowcases as necessary.(Remember to treat any stains before they are
brought to the laundry)
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Pull the corners as tightly as possible when putting on the fitted sheet
Place the flat sheet face down and make sure the top edge is up to the edge of
the mattress. Tuck in the top sheet using hospital corner at the foot of the bed
and leaving approximately 2 inches not tucked in near the pillow. Make sure all
wrinkles are out by running your hand over the entire length of the sheet.
Place the duvet approximately one foot down from the top of the mattress.
Smooth out all wrinkles and do not tuck in the duvet cover.
Fold the top sheet over the duvet, which will be approximately one foot.
Now go to the bottom of the bed and make sure the top sheet is neatly tucked in
under the mattress and that the duvet cover it flat.
Place the bedspread or duvet on the bed making sure that it’s straight.
Put 4 pillows neatly on the bed with the feather pillow to the front
Align well-pressed shams in front of pillows neatly so that the corners of the
shams stand up.
The Washing machine and Dryer are expensive and have specific instructions
regarding their use. Please review the soap dispenser procedure prior to washing.
Remember, if you are unfamiliar with machines, check with either the Innkeeper or
Head Housekeeper to go through instructions and procedures.
Large loads need maximum water levels and small loads sm/med. When loading
washing machine, pay special attention to evenly distribute the linen and do not
over pack.
For white towels use cold water, ¼ cup detergent (Tide w/ Bleach Alternative)
and one cap full of Iron Out.
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Blue/Green towels can be washed separately without the Iron Out. Mauve face
cloths, colored napkins, and aprons can be washed together…..colors with colors
and whites with whites. Never add mauve towels or any other colored items to
the white towel load that has been treated with the iron out. General rule of
thumb is to use cold water with white loads (towels and sheets) and warm/hot
water with rag loads or stubborn stain loads. The warm water activates the iron in
our laundry and should be used sparingly.
Ivory and white sheets can be washed together although it is sometime easier to
keep the white and cream sets together to ease the matching process during
ironing.
Do not overload the washing machines. You should not have more than 2 sets of
sheets per load (8 pillowcases) and that would be maximum load to put in the
dryer. The new washing machine can hold a little more but never should that full
load be put in one dryer. (If the dryer is overloaded the sheets come out full of
wrinkles)
If you put a large load of towels and bathrobes in the dryer during the humid
season, you have to set the dryer on 80 minutes and every time you go to the
laundry room check to see if they are dry at 40 minutes and clean the filter.
Sheets only need to be in the dryer 30 minutes.
If possible, remove the sheets from the dryer as soon as possible and fold on the
folding time. If time does not allow, it is better to remove the sheets and
pillowcases from the dryer and lay loosely on the table so that the wrinkles will
not set in. Pillowcases should be folded in half and placed on top of the dryer to
be ironed later. Top sheets should be folded in half first using a towel on the floor
and folded accordingly. Make sure all of the creases are smoothed out. Place the
folded top sheet on top of the ironing pile. Fitted sheets should be folded, again
paying special attention to smooth out all possible creases and placed in the
proper bin on the side table.
Wash all place mats with a gentle cycle and Woolite and hang to dry.
Duvet covers should be treated for stains and washed in warm/cold water with
detergent only and washed and dried separately. Pull out of dryer and fold as
soon as possible.
Use baskets under doors of both washing and dryer machines so that the laundry
does not hit the floor.
All rags are done in hot water cycles with detergent and ½ cup Clorox.
All visible stains should be treated first in the rooms. If you see visible stains after
drying, place in the “Difficult Stain” basket for later treatment.
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Pillowcases should be separated in packs of 4 with similar trims or 2 and 2 alike
packs. After ironing pillowcases and sheets should be brought up to the
appropriate storage closets with the white being used in the Olde Farmhouse and
the ivory in the Orchard House.
Spray ironing board from time to time with fabric freshener. Use magic sizing
when doing tough wrinkles.
Keep laundry rooms clean, floors vacuumed and machines wiped down.
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ROOM CHECKLIST
Thank you for checking off items on the list and double-checking everything on the list. If you find anything
damaged or missing, please write it down on the side of the sheet. We appreciate all that you are doing for the
Inn and keep up the good work.
Comments:______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
INSPECTION LIST
Room Name: _______________ Housekeeper: _______________ Checked by: _____ Date: _____
Empty wastebaskets and tie bag neatly (remember to turn the knot to the backside of the
basket)
Remove old towels if left on the floor, or that are very wet and provide clean fresh towels
If bathrobes are dry, tie with a knot and place on back of door
Rinse out glasses with hot water and dry with paper towel
Provide new toilet paper and Kleenex if needed if less then 1/4 full replace, make fold on toilet
paper
Make the bed (sheets are changed every third day (unless stained or soiled) as noted above.
Vacuum if needed
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Olde Farmhouse Common Area / Dining Room / Bathroom /Galley
Housekeeper:____________________ Date:____________
Comments: ____________________________________________
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Orchard House Common Area
Housekeeper__________________________ Date_________________
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DEEP CLEANING PROCEDURES
During any period that business slows down and we have fewer guests, housekeepers
are asked to perform “deep cleaning” tasks that there is not usually time for. This
includes dusting baseboards, inside cabinets, fans, glass fixtures, etc. Please see the
following for room specifics.
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Housekeeping/Linen Supply Closets
This is our work space as well as supply closet. In order for your work to be done
well, organization is imperative and order essential. It is expected that this area is kept
clean and well organized, keeping shelves well stocked and floor area as clear as
possible.
Trash and any discarded materials found in guest rooms should be thrown away in
large trash barrel in kitchen. When removing needed supplies, please inform head
housekeeper when you begin to see stock running low. Telling us that "we're out" is not
as helpful as knowing it in advance and anticipating a need to reorder. The same holds
true for any supplies in terms of cleaning materials, lotions, soaps, etc.
We count on each other to back each other up in our duties. Don't leave an area
without really looking to see that it has been put in the best possible shape it can be. If
you take something out to use it (an iron, the board, etc.), put it back where you got it. If
you discover no pen as you're trying to write something down, replace it before you
leave.
Since there are several closets that contain linen and supplies, the rules apply to all.
Here are the supply closets currently in use:
Second floor Olde Farmhouse: Housekeeping room contains all bedding and
replacement supplies for all guest rooms. Linens should all be folded compactly and
placed in appropriately marked shelf.
Laundry Room Orchard House: All cleaning supplies, rags, brooms, mops,
Second floor Orchard House: Contains cleaning supplies, linens, and extra
amenities for the 2nd floor rooms
Stairwell First floor Orchard House: Contains cleaning supplies for Beach Blossom &
Rifugio.
Bookcase in Laundry Room Orchard House Basement contains towels for Rigugio
Garden Room Olde Farmhouse closet has linen for Garden Room
Garden Room Basement stairwell has cleaning supplies for Garden
Acorn Olde Farmhouse has cleaning supplies for Acorn ( Linen is stored under bed
in plastic tubs.
Keeping closets well stocked will save time in the long run. When heading over to
the Orchard House, bring any needed supplies on your way over. Save trips back
and forth by anticipating what might be needed ahead of time.
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Specific Room Details:
Beach Blossom
Green duvet and shams in summer and red duvet & shams in winter Shams are stored
on top of armoire)
Pillows with paisley/check pattern on back go in front of shams with small needlepoint
pillow in center.
2 rugs in bathroom. Small pattern rug in front of tub. Small solid rug in front of toilet
Eggshell café curtain on garage side window should be closed together
Check doorway light switch which should turn on light on sewing machine
Chairs face fireplace in winter with ottoman in front of fireplace. Reverse in summer.
One paisley pillow on each chair (zippers go down)
Throw with tassels over side of bed
IMPORTANT: Beach Blossom is the only room where the duvet cover is also the bed cover.
Fold top of sheet right over the top of the print duvet (sheet should be brought up to the top of
the bed with duvet fitted at the bottom of the bed to meet the dust ruffle first and then smoothed
evenly. Be sure that the sheet does not hang below the duvet.
Sea Meadow
White/White bedspread with matching shams (backup spread & shams is available
in closet if needed) (Pillow shams are stored in the hall closet during the evening
and the small pillow placed on desk chair)
Small flower pillow placed in between shams
Blue rug goes in front of sink in bathroom
There is a throw that goes over chair in bedroom
Silk purple comforter should be fan folded and placed at bottom of bed in winter
months
Bayberry
Off white/Ivory bedspread- print flower pattern shams. (Shams are stored in hall
closet in the eveinging with small pillow placed on desk chair)
Cotton print comforter should be fan folded at the bottom of the bed in winter months
with the large flowers side up
Two large chairs should be tucked and straightened with throws evenly showing on
back of chairs.
Rifugio Suite
Green sofa bed pillows should be set up neatly, zipper sides down.
King bed has burgundy print shams-designs should be even with 4 beaded pillows
placed decoratively in front of shams. (All pillows are stored under bed in the
evening)
Burgundy silk comforter is fan folded at the end of the bed during the winter
months.
Tapestry throw is placed on chair in living room
Emerson
`Green solid spread with scalloped edges should be placed along bottom of
footboard with matching solid shams. Two small burgundy pillows should be
placed in front of each sham.
Cotton comforter should be fan folded at bottom of bed during wither months.
Fringed throw is placed on back of chair.
Closet is in bathroom and must be cleaned like floors on checkouts.
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Garden Room
Plump up upholstery chairs and fit arm covers inside.
Plump up pillow on one chair and place throw on the second chair
Bed has black & white button duvet spread which goes on last after regular down
comforter.
Two black and white matching shams with 2 Ivory crochet pillows with black &
white square pillow in between.
Black and white drapes are always pulled back to sides evenly with shears
hanging loosely with the exception of the left slider door./right side shear should
be placed behind hanger so that guests can move outside door.
Two beige rugs with one placed in bathroom across and in-between toilet and
sink, the other just outside bathroom doors, in front of supply closet.
Small black throw rugs go in front of door entry and other goes in front of slider.
Acorn Room
Solid green bedspread should be placed with bottom first covering footboard.
4 shams placed in front with the burgundy floral shams in the back
Cotton comforter should be fan folded at foot of bed during the winter months
One throw over chair
THIS IS THE ONLY ROOM WHERE THE TOWELS AND SHEETS ARE STORED IN A
PLASTIC BOX UNDER THE BED
Audubon Suites- Canapy
Leaf print green bedspread with scallop edges should be placed at foot of the
bed and turned over at the top. Dark side winter and light side summer.
Solid green pillow shams with burgundy accent pillow in center. (shams are
stored above armoire in the evening)
Green throw goes across foot of bed or to side diagonally
Blue spa towels stay in armoire
Towels on rack in room
Audubon Suite-Pine
Solid ivory spread with edges overhanging foot of bed and folding over at top of
bed.
Ivory shams with rose print pillow in center of bed (Shams stored in closet or
under bed in the evening)
Rose print fringed scarf hangs in triangle shape across bottom of bed.
Afghan over chair
Spa towels, blanket and pillow in high chest
Towels for two on rack on back of door
Extra bath mat on top of high chest
Audubon Joined bath
4 hand towels on door rack
Large beige rug in front of sink
Small beige rug goes inside doorway.
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END OF SHIFT TASKS
Prior to ending your shift, see innkeeper to be sure there are no unfinished tasks. The
following jobs are expected to be completed before you leave.
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Employment Acknowledgment
Since the information and policies described throughout the manual are subject to
change, I understand that such changes can be made by the Innkeepers and
management at their discretion and I agree to observe these changes in all respects.
I understand that I am being hired for an indefinite length of time and that employment
may be terminated at the will of the employee or employer at any time, for any reason. I
acknowledge that the information in this handout is not to be considered in any way a
contract of employment, implied or expressed. Continued employment is dependent on
satisfactory performance and the continued need for my services as determined by the
Innkeepers of Brewster by the Sea
_________________________________
Employee Signature
_________________________________
Employee Name
_______________
Date
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