Cleaning and sanitizing have been centre stage in recent years, and it’s taken its toll on cleaners.  According to a recent study, 80 per cent of professional cleaners are feeling more pressure to clean and disinfect public places, and with 48 per cent of the public doubting that cleaners are able to protect them from germs, a real disconnect exists between what “clean” looks like.

Your janitorial staff needs your support and taking just a few simple steps could make a real difference for your team and your business.

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Make public partnerships

Your staff can’t be everywhere at all times, so improve public perception by making sure that things like windows and counters are always clean. If you haven’t already upgraded, consider adding touchless technology for less maintenance and increased sanitization.

Also, get your visitors to help out. Consumers want sanitization and safety, and they’re willing to work for it. In fact, 70 per cent of people surveyed think they share with cleaning staff the responsibility of keeping public spaces clean.

Make it easy for guests to do their part and lighten the load on your team by providing wipes, hand sanitizer, and signage instructing them on the safest practices.

Stay up to date

With all the changes in the last few years, retraining your team is a great way to connect, boost confidence, and make sure everyone is on the same page.

Studies show that 75 per cent of people say that strong workplace training would highly impact their decision to stay at a company. Investing in your team means investing in your business by decreasing turnover and showing your staff that they are worth the time and money to keep them learning and up to date.

Listen to your team

Often the janitorial team works a solitary shift, after hours. You may not know if they have concerns, need supplies, or are understaffed. Staying in touch and keeping your team happy is the key to productivity, loyalty, and retention, so listening should be priority number one.

With all the changes in the last few years, your janitorial staff has been through a lot, from changing protocols to shifting public perception to heightened performance pressure. Put your team first by sharing the workload, keeping them informed, and making them top of mind for happy staff and a growing business.