How do I prepare my motel’s housekeeping team for a sale?

Decide first when to tell them. Too early and rumours spread to guests and competitors. Too late and people feel blindsided. Many owners wait until a buyer is committed and a timeline is clear, then speak to the team together before anyone hears elsewhere.

Prepare what you will say. Staff want to know whether their jobs continue, whether pay and schedules stay the same, and who they will report to. Do not promise what the buyer controls. Instead, say what you do know and agree with the buyer in advance on what can be shared. Your lawyer can tell you how employment passes to a new owner.

Help the buyer meet the team in person. Let the buyer see how rooms are turned over, what the standards are and what supplies are used. Ask the head housekeeper to write down the checklist, room order and any routines that live in people’s heads. Finally, think about thanking people. A short note, a recognition of long service or a fair arrangement for the transition shows respect. A team that feels valued is also the best evidence of a well-run property for a buyer who wants continuity.

Key takeaways

• Tell the team yourself, once the sale is firm enough to answer their questions.
• Agree with the buyer on what you can say about jobs, pay and schedules.
• Ask the head housekeeper to write down routines and standards before handover.