Environmental Services and International Housekeepers Week 2024 Celebrates Custodial Staff

Held every year during the second full week of September, Environmental Services Week (EVSW)/International Housekeepers Week (IHW) is a week dedicated to recognizing the efforts of hard-working custodial staff members globally. The true heroes of any building operation, cleaning employees have one of the toughest jobs in a building, but also one of the most important. Buildings that aren’t properly cleaned can lead to illness and productivity loss for the people who visit, eat, live, work, and play there.

Indoor Environmental Healthcare and Hospitality Association (IEHA) is the official sponsor of EVSW/IHW since its founding in 1981. IEHA is a 1,300-plus member professional association devoted to helping managers of facilities such as hospitals, hotels, and schools maintain cleaner, safer, and healthier buildings. According to IEHA, the week is celebrated in thousands of facilities worldwide.

The week offers the perfect opportunity for facilitators to show their gratitude for the efforts of their environmental services (EVS) workers, housekeepers, and custodians. IEHA suggests these ideas to help make the week a success at your facility:

• Dedicate a whole week of activity that culminates in a large award ceremony to acknowledge the accomplishments of your staff.
• Post your appreciation on your company’s social media channels.
• Sign up your team to compete in the 2024 Housekeeping Olympics, taking place on Nov. 18 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.