We all know what it feels like to be unappreciated. It’s even worse when it’s the people you work with who don’t recognize your skills and accomplishments. And yet, this is all too common in the toxic organization—particularly when it comes to the janitor at our place of work.
We often think of janitors as ‘invisible workers’ and don’t give them the respect or recognition they deserve. But the truth is that they play an invaluable role in keeping our offices clean and hygienic, and should be appreciated for their contribution. In this article, we’ll explore why employees should respect the company’s janitor and how we can create a culture of appreciation for them.
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The Value of Respect for the Janitor
If there is one thing that everyone in your office should respect, it’s the janitor. Janitorial duties may go unnoticed and unappreciated, but they are essential in keeping your office clean and safe. Respectful recognition of the janitorial staff is an important part of maintaining a healthy and productive work environment.
It’s easy to overlook the janitorial staff, but they are essential to keeping your office running smoothly. From cleaning up messes, to changing lightbulbs, to keeping equipment in good working order, janitors provide invaluable services that help make your workday stress-free and safe.
Plus, showing respect for the janitorial staff is an important habit for employees to have. Not only does it demonstrate that you recognize their valuable contributions, but it also sets a positive example for other employees and helps create a culture of mutual respect throughout your office. It’s hard to overestimate the value of this; open appreciation and recognition of each other can go a long way towards creating a positive workplace dynamic.
Why Companies Need to Value Their Janitors
Do you ever think about the person who cleans your office? Who mops your floors, vacuums the carpets, empties the garbage and keeps the bathrooms clean? That person is not just a janitor or custodian; they are an essential part of keeping your workplace running smoothly.
Custodial staff are often overlooked, but their job is critical—they remove germs and dust that can cause illnesses, as well as create a comfortable, metro living, and inviting environment for workers. Without them, offices would become overrun with dirt and dust, and quickly become uncomfortable places to work.
Further, janitors are often tasked with observing and reporting any suspicious activities on their rounds. By utilizing the janitor in this way, companies can ensure that any potential issues can be caught early on.
Finally, building relationships with custodial staff can help employees feel more comfortable in their workspace. Acknowledging their hard work—which can often go unnoticed—shows respect to those who keep our workplaces clean and safe.
How the Janitor Contributes to the Workplace
You might not realize it, but respecting the janitor at your office is key—here’s why.
🧹 The Janitor’s Hard Work
The janitor puts in long hours every day to make sure every corner of the office is clean and free of dust and debris. They’re often behind the scenes, but that doesn’t mean their job isn’t important. They do everything from vacuuming carpets to cleaning bathrooms, windows, and glass doors; emptying trash; scrubbing floors; and maintaining the office amenities. Every staff member should appreciate the hard work and dedication the janitor puts into making sure the office stays spic-and-span.
🧹 Keeping Morale High in a Clean Environment
It’s no secret that employees work better when their environment is clean and well maintained. A clean workplace can boost morale, help promote collaboration among colleagues, and reduce stress levels. Plus, when people don’t have to deal with dirt or grime at work, they can focus on their tasks instead of worrying about a dirtier working environment. This has been proven by research – as much as 40% of employee dissatisfaction comes from a messy workplace.
🧹 Good First Impression for Clients
Finally, having an organized workspace helps create a good first impression for clients or visitors who come to your office. When clients see how clean the environment is, they can form a positive opinion of your company right away.
Respecting the janitor’s work plays an important role in making sure your office runs smoothly and creating a positive workplace culture for everyone there.
Unconscious Bias in the Workplace
Another thing to consider is the unconscious bias that exists in the workplace. Many people often do not realize the value of a janitor’s work, since they are at the bottom of the food chain. But it’s important to remember that everyone has their own unique skillset—and janitors have is one we should appreciate.
In some cases, employees may think that janitors are beneath them, and may not show them enough respect or care. However, some small gestures can go a long way in showing your appreciation for their hard work and dedication. For example, saying hello and good morning when you pass by them in the hallway, or taking the time to talk with them during lunch break can show that you recognize and appreciate their work.
It’s also important to remember that no one should be treated differently based on their job description—everyone should be respected equally for their contributions. By setting an example of respect and appreciation for everyone’s job role, you can help create an inclusive environment where everyone feels appreciated.
Recognizing and Valuing Cleaners in the Workplace
It pays to respect the company’s janitor. After all, they are a vital part of keeping the office running and making sure it’s always a clean, safe and pleasant place to work. Here are just a few reasons why employees should respect the janitor:
🧽 Role in Keeping the Office Clean
The janitor plays an essential role in keeping your workplace clean. They are responsible for moping floors, cleaning bathrooms and common areas, taking out the trash, dusting furniture and fixtures, vacuuming carpets, and changing light bulbs as needed. All of these tasks help to promote a healthy working environment that is free from dirt and germs.
🧽 Helps Maintain Professional Image
Cleaning staff help to maintain a professional image inside and outside of the office, building, home or at even hotel and resort. A neat and orderly workplace says something positive about the company’s work ethic and values—it gives clients who visit the office an impression that staff members take their roles seriously.
🧽 Cost Savings
Hiring cleaning staff can save money in the long run because they can quickly identify areas that need repair or replacement, thus avoiding potential costly repairs or replacements down the line. Cleaners also help to reduce waste by properly disposing of garbage and recycling materials as needed.
Employees should show their appreciation for cleaners by saying thank you for their hard work or even giving them small gifts from time to time, such as gift cards or coffee shops vouchers. Doing so helps to foster a culture of respect within your organization.
Making a Change From Within
You might not know it, but by respecting the company’s janitor and all the hard work they do for us, you can make a big difference.
It’s easy to forget about the janitor when they come in, usually quietly and quickly, to dispose of all the rubbish, clean up our workspace, and provide us with a pleasant environment. With so many of us coming and going to work each day, it’s natural that we may not think twice about who is cleaning up after us. But did you know that by showing our appreciation for their hard work we might just make a big change?
It’s important that we remember: janitors are people too. Just like anyone else they deserve respect and kindness. Showing your appreciation for their hard work through kind words or even a simple smile can go a long way in making them feel valued. It can also have positive impacts on office morale and motivation levels amongst all employees.
So start by taking care of your own messes, giving janitors enough space to do their job properly and showing them courtesy and respect as if they were any other co-worker or colleague! Not only will it make their jobs easier — it will enhance workplace moral for everyone in the business!
Conclusion
Respect for the janitorial staff is essential to creating a healthy, successful work culture. It’s important to recognize their hard work and treat them with respect, since it helps to improve morale, promote a safe working environment, and encourages values like accountability, responsibility, and an overall sense of shared purpose within the company.
It’s also critical to remember that janitorial staff are just as valuable to the company as any other employee, and deserve to be respected and treated with courtesy. When everyone in the office understands and respects the janitor’s role, they create an environment of cooperation and support where everyone feels like they are part of the team and respected for their contribution.