Changes Facing In-House Cleaning Departments

Facility Cleaning Decisions’ Advisory Board discusses industry advancements, IoT, management challenges and staffing

Regardless of facility type, staff size, budget or cleaning regimen, facility cleaning managers can start each day expecting any number of hurdles to pop up — some more challenging than others. Addressing and overcoming complications is no easy task, but can be made simpler through the advice of seasoned managers who have presumably “seen it all” in this industry.

To discuss hurdles and how to overcome them, as well as changes expected to the industry in the near future, Facility Cleaning Decisions reached out to our six-member advisory board for comment. With a combined tenure of over 180 years in this industry and a diversity in facility types, their perspective is sure to inspire managers looking to thrive in facilities management.

In this roundtable, we cover the biggest management challenges facing the industry, including how to best handle complaints and staffing hurdles. Questions also touch on changes managers can expect to see in the coming years, including product and technology advancements that just might simplify processes.

Visit the following links for even more information on management challenges, the benefits of joining industry associations and how to deal with complaints.

What industry changes do you expect to see in the next 12 months and how should managers prepare for them?

I expect to see a number of Baby Boomers exiting the workforce, which gives managers the opportunity to streamline their succession plans to attract Millennials and the X/Y generations. It’s important that managers incorporate their vision of a workplace pertaining to management and an increased interest in sustainability and technology.
Ada Baldwin, M.R.E.H.
Director of University Housekeeping
North Carolina State University

Our industry is unique in that we have to stay current on technological advancements, as well as maintain low infection rates within our environments. The best way to prepare is through continuous training. This is accessible through online webinars, attending industry conferences, and involvement with organizations within our field. I’ve personally benefited from being involved with IEHA, ISSA and the Texas Association of Healthcare Facilities Management (TAHFM).
Babette Beene
Environmental Services Manager
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

I foresee departments getting more sustainable. On campus, I’m considering on-site generation for chemicals. We’re paying close attention to the marketplace and will evaluate products that show promise for the size of our campus. We also expect to install more electronic hand dyers in high-traffic restrooms. These reduce labor expenses, improve the tidiness in restrooms and dry hands effectively.
I also expect that recruiting entry-level custodians will continue to be a real challenge within the current job market. We as managers need to explain the total compensation package better than we currently do.
Finally, over the next 12 months, we are expecting many retirement-age workers and leaders to retire or make plans to do so within the next 5 years. In response, we are doing succession planning and developing our own people to be competitive for future promotional opportunities. The goal is that they will fill the leadership gaps caused by retirements.
Gene Woodard, R.E.H.
Director of Building Services
University of Washington

I predict a greater focus on running the numbers in validating product/process selection in an effort to be more efficient and reduce labor due to potential minimum wage increases and the status and probable changes in the Affordable Care Act. Managers should review all operations to determine how they are being done today and how they can be done better through more efficient equipment, different cleaning processes and prevention additions such as more walk-off mats. To do this, the use of distributor representatives, industry publications, networking and industry sources can be very helpful.
Steven Spencer
Facilities Specialist
State Farm Insurance

I expect to see continued improvement in green cleaning equipment and chemicals, employee training in work safety related issues and better processes for reducing bed bugs. To keep up-to-speed, managers should utilize the expertise of local distributors and manufacturers to test equipment and chemicals. At our schools, we utilize industry experts, and a newly created “Safety Specialist” for training employees in work related safety issues. We also continue to utilize non-chemical methods to eliminate bed bug incidents in schools, along with assistance from the Nursing Department and the City of Milwaukee Health Department to educate faculty, staff and parents on what we’re doing.
Michael Gutierrez
Manager of Building Operations
Milwaukee Public Schools

It’s not necessarily a change, but I see the industry improving processes toward sustainability and green cleaning. This is so important as a way to cut down on the use of our natural resources, conserve/save what we have, and protect what is left for generations to come. And more facilities are taking a look at how they can do their part in this conservation effort.
Doreen Bessert, C.E.H.
Worksite Placement Coordinator, Custodial Supervisor & Central Purchasing Agent
Manitowoc County DPW

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How IoT Is Changing The Cleaning Industry