Modern mining projects in Alaska and Canada are often located in remote areas with no nearby available housing for employees. Consequently, mine employees work what are known as a rotation schedules, which means that they stay in on-site housing provided by the mine for a period of two to four weeks. After that time is finished, they leave the mine for a two week period. Many employees of Alaska mines live thousands of miles away from the job site. Employee housing at mines normally consists of basic rooms with beds, dressers, lamps, tables and chairs. Two or more people usually share a room, and strict policies concerning behavior usually exist. Occupants are expected to be respectful of others' property, and strict policies against drug and alcohol are usually enforced. Meals are served buffet-style and taken in a common dining room with set times of operation. Cooks and housekeepers are an important part of mine operations. Housekeepers are responsible for cleaning rooms, bathrooms, hallways and common areas, and they usually assist with meal preparation as well. Twelve-hour shifts are normal, and the typical rotation schedule for a housekeeper at a mine is tow weeks on and two weeks off. Although cleaning jobs in mines involve hard work and being away from home for periods of time, it's possible to earn a decent income from doing this type of work. Beginning hourly rates are about $12 per hour, which may not seem like much, but because of the 12-hour shifts and seven day a week work schedule, a substantial amount of those hours will paid at time-and-a-half as overtime. Workers also have no expenses at the mine because room and board are supplied by the employer. Travel costs involved in getting to and from the mine are also a normal aspect of employment packages. Although many openings for cleaning jobs art mines exist, finding them isn't always easy. The owners and managers of the mines themselves usually are not the ones responsible for hiring for these positions. Employment companies exist that supply culinary and housekeeping personnel to remote job sites at mines and oilfields, and interested parties should contact these companies.