I recently learned that an acquaintance of mine works as a
facility manager in a smaller company where he oversees and manages the
cleanliness of the building. There is no in-house cleaner on hand so he
outsources the custodial services. But I learned that he doesn’t actually
outsource the service to a jan/san company, but to another friend of ours as a
way to save money. She alone cleans the entire facility five nights a week.
This revelation raised a number of red flags.
First, this “cleaner’s” experience doesn’t extend any
further than what she does in her own home. Her knowledge of the reasons for
cleaning, proper techniques, safety and disinfecting standards stem no further
than common sense. And her training consisted of a tour of the facility and
brief explanation of which chemicals should be used where. Certainly not the
education or background you want from your cleaner.
My second major concern is that this “cleaner” works alone.
As most of you are aware, there are many problems with this. Although I know
this person to be an honest and hardworking individual, she is the type of
cleaner often blamed for stolen or misplaced items because she comes and goes
unannounced and works under no supervision. Working alone can also be a major
safety concern — further emphasized when that independent worker is
inexperienced and poorly trained.
Finally — and potentially most important — if this facility
manager is willing to hire an inexperienced and uneducated (as far as cleaning
goes) “temp” to save a couple dollars, where else is he making cuts? Standards
of clean certainly can’t be where they should and where is the accountability?
Yes,
he might be saving a couple dollars, but he is doing so at the expense of the
building occupants. Substandard training, improper disinfecting, inferior
cleaning standards and a lack of accountability negates the purpose of
cleaning.
Posted
08-10-2009 10:34 AM
by
Corinne Zudonyi