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.

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