Often, cleaners work in an empty building. No one sees them come and no one sees them go. More importantly, though, no one sees the work they actually do. It is easy for building occupants to forget about the cleaners when they are never seen. It is also easy to point fingers at someone they don’t know.

Suspicions surrounding whether or not the restroom was actually cleaned or floors were actually vacuumed can lead to complaints in many facilities. But, those same complaints drop off substantially when the custodial crew works the day shift.

Once day cleaning is implemented and occupants come in contact with these workers, tenants soon realize that cleaners are real people who actually work to provide a clean and safe environment. If occupants have a complaint or specific cleaning request, they can speak directly to the cleaner and it is quickly resolved.

Working side by side, cleaners and occupants begin to get a feel for one another and develop patterns with the custodial schedule. Cleaners start doing tasks that need to be done instead of simply making rounds to kill time. And anytime the tenants witness someone cleaning, this will help increase the notion of a sanitary environment.



posted on 2/8/2010