HOW TO SET PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Some hospitality operations break down each job into its essential tasks. These
tasks or job duties are normally listed within the position’s job description. Here
are some essential tasks or job duties that may be listed in a job description for
the position of hotel switchboard operator:
* Answer incoming calls.
* Take messages for guests when they do not answer their room phones.
* Record guest messages in the appropriate logbook.
* Provide guests dialing instructions for local and long-distance calls.
* Enter wake-up call requests into the wake-up call system.
* Balance call accounting data at end of shift.
Notice that the first word in each of the above six tasks is in capital letters and
that each of these words is an action verb. These tasks tell the employee what
to do. This list does not, however, provide information regarding to what extent
each task should be performed. This information will be provided in the task’s
performance standards. The example below provides performance standards
for task number one: Answer incoming calls.