housekeeping

Some CEOs look as though they've never done a day of manual labor in their lives, and Stephen Joyce, the head of Choice Hotels International is one of them. His week in the spotlight of Undercover Boss left him sweaty and distressed, and -- as usual -- in touch with soul of his company.

Just in time for Labor Day, domestic workers in New York state got a gift of sorts -- a workers' bill of rights, which Gov. David Paterson signed into law last week. The measure guarantees nannies, housekeepers and care providers to the elderly are paid overtime, get time off and are protected against sexual harassment.

Comedian Erma Bombeck once wrote that her second favorite household chore was ironing and the first was hitting her head on the top bunk bed until she fainted. Although there are many who agree with Bombeck and would prefer to sweep the room with only a glance, there are also those (and you know...

No one used to talk about this. But in the past year, several friends, all of them travelers I trust, have told me that when they stay at hotels, they always leave a few bucks on the nightstand for the hotel housekeeping staff.News to you? This concept is growing. Call it Tipping Creep, which is...