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When “I Got This!” Goes Wrong: The Tale of the Disappearing Housekeeper

Cartoon-style illustration of a new housekeeper training in a hotel room, highlighting cleaning challenges.
In this vibrant 3D cartoon, our new housekeeper faces the reality of her first day on the job, balancing confidence and unexpected challenges. Will she meet the high standards of cleanliness expected in a hotel setting?

Ever had a new employee who talked a big game, only to deliver…well, a whole different kind of performance? If you’ve managed a hotel or worked the front desk, chances are you’ve got stories. But few could top the saga shared by u/OneAd7734 on Reddit’s r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk, where a brand new housekeeper proved that sometimes, reality is far stranger—and more entertaining—than fiction.

If you think hiring woes are just about “culture fit,” buckle up. This one’s got sideways bedspreads, mysterious sick days, and plot twists that would make Shonda Rhimes proud.

The Housekeeper Who Had It All (On Paper)

Let’s set the stage: you’re short-staffed, desperate for a reliable housekeeper, and in walks a candidate who claims to have run her own cleaning business and “cleaned hotels before.” She oozes confidence—“I got this!” she declares on day one. For a brief, shining moment, you believe your troubles are over.

Spoiler: they are not.

Day One: The Not-So-Sparkling Debut

Our protagonist, the new housekeeper, starts her first day in training. She assures the team she’s a pro, ready to make every room sparkle. Fast forward to the end of her shift, and management does the rounds…only to find chaos instead of cleanliness.

  • Bedspreads? On sideways.
  • Pillows? Haphazardly tossed, as if a pillow fight had broken out and no one was declared winner.
  • Trash? Still there, stubbornly refusing to walk itself out.

If you’ve ever checked into a room and wondered “What happened here?”—now you know.

Sick Days and Vanishing Acts

Day two arrives, but our housekeeper does not. She calls off for three whole days, citing an ER visit and a doctor’s note. Coincidentally, it’s the weekend—peak busy season at the hotel. (The plot thickens.)

When she does return, she makes it through just 3-4 rooms before declaring she’s too sick to continue and needs to leave. This is less “employee of the month,” more “guest star in a workplace sitcom.”

But wait, there’s more! Later, she calls to ask if she’s scheduled for the next day. Management, after discussing with the owner, decides to give her one last chance. This is met with outrage—“Wait, am I being fired for a medical emergency?” she texts, as if surprised that three no-shows and six hours of questionable work might not secure her a long-term future.

Probation and the No-Show Finale

After being told she’s on probation (which, let’s be honest, is more lenient than most places would be), she agrees to come in. The next day? No call, no show. The final vanishing act. Houdini couldn’t have orchestrated a better escape.

So…Do They Have the Right to Let Her Go?

Here’s where the post turns from comedy to a real-world HR conundrum. The original poster asks: is it fair to fire someone under these circumstances? She worked just six hours over two days, missed multiple shifts, didn’t communicate, and performed poorly when present.

Let’s break it down:

  • Performance: Housekeeping isn’t easy. It’s physical, demanding, and requires attention to detail. If the basics aren’t getting done, that’s a problem.
  • Attendance: Reliability is key. Emergencies happen, but a string of absences—especially when paired with weekends and busy periods—raises eyebrows.
  • Communication: Professionalism counts, and ghosting your employer isn’t exactly a gold star move.

At most hotels, a 90-day probation is standard. During this period, employers assess whether a new hire is a good fit. Based on this story, it’s clear management gave more chances than most would. Sometimes, it’s not about medical issues—it’s about whether the job and the person are a match (and, in this case, they weren’t even in the same ballpark).

The Real Lesson: Hiring Will Always Be an Adventure

If there’s a moral here, it’s that hiring for hospitality is not for the faint of heart. The best resumes can hide the wildest stories, and the phrase “I got this!” is sometimes a red flag in disguise.

But hey, at least you’ll have great stories for r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk.

Have you survived a new hire horror story? Share your tales in the comments below! And if you’re a guest reading this, remember: behind every clean room is a team doing their best—sideways bedspreads and all.

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Original Reddit Post: New Employee issues