The big summer cleaning has just been finished, and the caretakers worked very hard! Most of them had little to no vacation, since they had a major clean-up to complete. Now they have a school year to get off to a good start.
The arduous work of the summer
- The caretakers and all the cleaning staff will tell you they feel like they're practically invisible. Can you imagine their work during a major summer cleaning? Moving every desk, shelf, and chair from the classrooms so they can thoroughly and freely wash the walls and ceilings. For the lucky ones, they work in teams, making this step easier. For the others, they'll only move the furniture to one half of the classroom to minimize the amount of moving.
- Even in the summer heat and humidity, the work needs to be done. This includes washing the walls and ceilings. Then, all the floors need to be scrubbed and polished. This requires a great deal of experience, even though not all building superintendents have the necessary expertise.
- All furniture must be cleaned and put back in its place after the floor finish has dried. And of course, all the small requests from each of the teachers and professionals for the start of the school year must be respected.
Recognizing Their Work
It is essential to acknowledging the hard work of the caretakers during the summer. Here are a few ways to do it:
- Offer a meal: pay for their lunch or dinner to express your gratitude.
- Giving a paid day off: a well-deserved little rest after intense work.
- Public recognition: Highlight them during team meetings or on the school's social media.
Here is an article for build a balanced maintenance team
The crucial role of school caretakers
Building caretakers play a crucial role in maintaining the building's assets. Their work ensures the hygiene of the premises as well as the health of its occupants. But they must be given the necessary resources to do so.
A concierge is responsible for the daily maintenance of all premises and the disinfection of high-risk contamination contact points. Waste management, recycling, and composting are part of their duties, as is building maintenance. It is the caretaker who will actually take care of changing the lights, repairing the door handle, unclogging the toilet, etc.
The collaboration of all
Cleaning a school requires collaboration of ALL.
The photo below was taken in a real school and in a real classroom. Yet, each of us, in our own homes, would have washed or at least rinsed our sink after use. Respect and appreciation for the caretakers also depend on our cooperation.
Provide the necessary resources to the concierges
One of the first budget items to be cut when you have to cut is… housekeeping! It is essential to understand the consequences of these decisions, particularly regarding the resources allocated to concierges. Here are some key elements to consider to ensure effective support for these essential professionals.
Investment in equipment
One of the most overlooked aspects of budget cuts is investment in equipment. Outdated floor scrubbers and polishers, often over 15 years old, result in high maintenance and repair costs. New innovations emerge every year.
- The new equipment will save you money: The new equipment has much better energy efficiency and will not need repair.
- Quality of work is improving: Your employees will be pleased that their work is being taken seriously and will be happy and proud of their new equipment. This new equipment will also be more efficient and faster, and won't break down as frequently.
- Ergonomics, health and safety improved: You'll see that the new equipment promotes fluid movement. The old equipment is heavy and boxy. The new equipment glides easily while being compact and ergonomic.
Continuing education
Like any other employee, concierges also need ongoing training. They want to improve and see that their job is important. It's good to ensure that both new and experienced employees have access to training that will motivate them. Therefore, we can offer several training topics that match the employees' skill levels. However, it seems essential to me to provide at least basic training for each employee, so that everyone is at the same level.
Quality working roads
A work route is not just a list of tasks by location. A really good road to work It will include the work sequence to be followed while explaining a hygienic and efficient work method. It will define the appropriate products, accessories, and equipment.
Comprehensive quality control
First, when an employee cleans the same classrooms and other premises daily, it's perfectly normal to lose sight of the details in those rooms. That's why the quality control This proves important. But it still needs to be done by a responsible, respectful and competent person.
In conclusion, investing in concierges and providing them with the necessary resources is not only a matter of operational efficiency, but also of respect and recognition for the essential work they perform.
