Element of housekeeper's employment (3)
I believe the answer is:
use
'employment' is the definition.
(how something is used)
'element of housekeeper's' is the wordplay.
'element of' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen this in other clues).
'USE' is hidden within 'housekeepers'.
(Other definitions for use that I've seen before include "Sue for employment" , "Expend in amusement" , "Exploit unfairly" , "Manipulate" , "Put into service, do something with" .)