Analyzing Custodial Work Can Lead To Performance Improvements

A reader asks: "I am struggling with performance issues at a site that is new to me. We have had above average turnover in both supervision and front line employees due to a very tight budget as well as declining morale. Do you have any suggestions?"

This series will try to focus on analyzing the current situation and making suggestions for improvement over a period of time. Some recommendations may need to be initiated immediately while others will have to be phased in over 1- 3 months. We will look at current situation and then suggest improvements in future articles:

1. We noted that Zone Cleaning (each worker is responsible for his/her own area) is in place simply because the current workers have resisted converting to Team Cleaning.

2. We learned the current supervisor is "behind schedule" on project work and detail work thereby receiving valid complaints about dust, rest rooms, front entrance, etc.

3. We noted that there are on a few functional vacuum cleaners that workers have to trade off each day in order to get their tasks done.

4. Several idle vacuum cleaners in storage are missing bags, cords, plugs and show evidence of abuse or very poor maintenance.

5. The floor crew leader complained that the building was missing sufficient floor equipment to maintain the floors but that he and others were being pulled to assist with pulling trash and helping with regular janitorial work.

6. It appears that several pieces of floor equipment "disappeared" one weekend and may be at another site that was short equipment.

7. Workers are not in uniform, do not have updated ID badges and come to work in cut offs, sandals and do not appear to be trained.

Although there are other issues, we will try to deal with the ones listed in a future article.

Your comments and questions are important. I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean...

Mickey Crowe has been involved in the industry for over 35 years. He is a trainer, speaker and consultant. You can reach Mickey at 678-314-2171 or CTCG50@comcast.net.