Q: Can flextime be successful in housekeeping operations?

This discussion came up recently on a janitorial listserv (JANITORS@ raven.cc.ku.edu) and Terry Major of Southeast Missouri State University shared his department’s successful methods of using flex time for cleaning staff:

In 1995 the department averaged about 100 hours of sick leave per employee – double that of other university areas. The flex plan evolved slowly, along with a change is sick leave accrual system, as a way to better adjust work hours and reduce this high average.

The flex system is used to minimize the use of sick leave for doctor appointments and on occasion is used for other difficult-to-schedule situations such as taking family members to appointments or taking a car to the mechanic.

All flextime must have supervisor pre-approval which is given after the worker fills out a special Time Exchange Request form which is kept on file. This includes their name, date submitted, explanation for the exchange, time planned off and time worked, plus total of time exchanged.

The flex time can’t be used to take off on a Friday by working long the rest of the week. The time only can be in 1-4 hour blocks maximum or other appropriate leave must be used. Also, all time must be made up within the same week.

Now, Major’s staff average about 30 to 40 hours of sick leave annually


Q: Is it a normal function of hospital housekeepers to vacuum ceiling vents, wall vents and around dusty ceiling tiles and tracks on a scheduled basis?

Housekeeping and HVAC experts agree that vent cleaning must be done regularly to reduce build-up in HVAC units and to prevent that dirt and dust from further spreading into patient rooms, doctor’s offices, etc. Some suggest vacuuming to remove the most particles from the enviornment rather than using dust cloths, but most experts say either will get the job done.

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association suggests cleaning ducts whenever visible accumulation begins, but not to wait any longer. Title 22, California’s health care environmental services regulation, on the other hand, requires weekly dusting for vents and lights and daily dusting for horizontal surfaces in non-surgical rooms. Surgical rooms require a thorough dusting every day.




POSTED ON: 2/1/2002