Custodians are vital in maintaining a facility’s cleanliness, safety, and functionality. However, they often go unnoticed, working behind the scenes to ensure that the environments where we live,
work, and learn remain sanitary, hygienic, and aesthetically pleasing.
Elevating the professional reputation of custodians is not just about acknowledging their hard work but also recognizing the specialized skills and knowledge they bring to their roles. To
truly appreciate these individuals, we must view their careers with respect and admiration and create pathways for advancement, just as we do in other fields.
Understanding the impact of custodians
The critical work of custodians is often undervalued. We frequently take for granted the clean and orderly spaces we navigate daily. At home, a busy week might mean accumulated dust, unwashed dishes, dirt on the floor, and piles of laundry waiting to be tackled. However, in most public and professional environments, custodians tirelessly ensure that cleaning and sanitation happen behind the scenes, quietly maintaining our surroundings and allowing us to focus on our tasks without distraction.
Children learn in clean classrooms, adults work in clean offices, patients are treated in sanitary hospitals, and we enjoy leisure activities at malls, museums, and theme parks because of hardworking custodians. If you’ve never considered the impact of cleaning professionals in your day-to-day life, imagine a school after one week with no cleaning. Consider an office with overflowing trash bins, unsanitary restrooms, and dirty breakrooms. Picture a football stadium after a big game with no one staying behind to clean up.
The value of custodians cannot be overstated. Recognizing their impact is the first step in showing appreciation and elevating their professional reputation.
Showing appreciation
Expressing gratitude to custodial professionals doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple “thank you” can go a long way. However, an employer can use more structured ways to show appreciation
and recognition to team members.
Showing gratitude for custodial team members should be a daily practice, but recognizing these professionals on special days and through formal appreciation programs can further demonstrate
recognition of their hard work.
- International Cleaning Week (the last full week of March) and National Custodian Appreciation Day (October 2): Make these dates an annual celebration with events, thank-you cards, and small gifts or snacks. Schools can involve students and teachers by encouraging them to create bulletin boards, write cards, or give special shout-outs to custodians.
- Recognition in team meetings: Acknowledge employees who maintain high standards, show extra care for their spaces, or go beyond their normal work responsibilities to make a
bigger impact or meet an unexpected need. Cultivating a culture of frequent celebration makes employees feel valued. - Professional recognition programs: Set clear expectations and measurable goals for your custodial team members. When they meet or exceed the expectations, celebrate them. Create a recognition program that celebrates excellence on a regular basis—monthly, quarterly, or annually—and provide practical rewards that associates will appreciate. Whether this is a gift card, a
free lunch for the entire team once a month, prize baskets, or simply certificates or trophies, a physical reminder of gratitude and recognition never goes unnoticed.
Elevating the reputation of custodians
Custodians are professionals, and every professional industry benefits from defined career paths and development opportunities. Supporting custodians in their career growth not only helps
individuals but also strengthens organizations as a whole. If organizations truly want to elevate the reputation of custodial professionals, they must recognize talented workers, nurture their growth, and promote them within the organization. Some team members may wish to stay where they are at in their career—but others have dreams of growing, learning, and leading. Offering training, certifications, and clear pathways for career advancement creates opportunities for ambitious team members to thrive.
- On-the-job training programs: Provide team members with hands-on training that will enhance their knowledge of cleaning techniques, innovative equipment, chemical safety, and workplace safety. The skills they gain will elevate their performance in their existing roles and enable them to train others.
- Leadership development workshops: Formal leadership training is the first step for associates aiming to become supervisors, department managers, or regional managers. This training will
develop their skills in customer service, communication, and problem-solving, setting them up for success as they strive for career advancement.
Changing perceptions in workplace cultures
When we foster a culture of appreciation for custodians, we provide opportunities for their growth and transform the way others within the organization perceive their value. By recognizing their contributions, investing in their development, and elevating their professional reputation, we ensure that these essential workers receive the respect they deserve.
