Small Businesses Use Janitorial Staff for More Than Just Cleaning

Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, providing goods and services to their local communities while often facing challenges due to limited resources and workforce.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, a small business is an independently owned and operated business with fewer than 500 employees. Are you facing extreme staffing shortages? You are not alone. In today’s competitive job market, small business owners often struggle to find qualified and reliable staff who are willing to work for hourly (and sometimes lower) wages. This can lead to a lack of experienced personnel, resulting in reduced productivity and customer dissatisfaction.

In New York, restaurant owners are turning to the influx of migrant workers to help fill the gap. Not only are they hiring migratory workers with valid permits but also those without papers. At the end of December 2022, there were 11 million job openings. With our unemployment rate  at 3.4%, which is the lowest it's been in 53 years, there simply aren’t enough workers seeking new jobs. The imbalance between available workers and open job positions has widened. 

Combined Factors Contribute to Worker Shortage

The current worker shortage is due to a combination of factors, including many workers in search of improved work-life balance and flexibility, increased compensation, and a strong company culture. The worker shortage is hitting many industries. Ones that are most affected by the lack of workers are restaurants, construction firms, and other small businesses who rely on blue collar workers. 

The term blue collar worker refers to those who do physical or manual labor such as construction, welding, restaurant and factory work and other similar kinds of work. It is possible to reduce labor costs and increase productivity by hiring skilled or unskilled hourly rate workers. The gig economy presents one of the greatest challenges in attracting and hiring blue collar workers. It has never been easier to become a freelancer.

Pool of Cleaning Staff Is Expanding

The Pandemic has increased the need for disinfection and elevated cleanliness in the workplace. That increase in demand has made the cleaning industry more attractive to a wide variety of skilled and unskilled laborers. For example, one of our manufacturing clients needed our janitorial services team to jump in and work on his manufacturing lines. Fortunately, our team, having come from a wide array of backgrounds and experiences, had the skillset needed and was able to fulfill his urgent request.

We continue to see an influx of skilled manual laborers applying to join our team. Daycare workers, painters, and other physical laborers are shifting to the janitorial sector. Some appreciate middle of the night cleaning shifts as a benefit because it affords them the flexibility to stay home during the day and care for children. The cost of childcare has skyrocketed and workers are shifting their professions to adjust for that financial burden. 

Can your janitorial staff handle expanded tasks?

Besides cleaning, janitors are often asked to stock shelves and organize supplies, as well as perform other maintenance and upkeep tasks on behalf of their clients' businesses. A janitor may help prepare food, wash dishes, or perform other tasks in the kitchen in a restaurant. Among other duties, they may need to set up tables and chairs, restock condiments, and assist with customer service. Janitors may assist with assembly line operations or other production-related activities in manufacturing companies. Additionally, they may be asked to assist with quality control or inventory management. Due to the fact that custodial workers are able to increase their hourly rate, work flexible hours, which allow them to be home during daytime childcare times, and contribute to clients in their geographical area, there has been an increase in janitorial staff workers.

Advantages of Hiring Temporary Workers

Tapping into a temporary workforce, like janitors, can provide businesses with access to a larger pool of potential employees who may be more willing to accept lower wages. It can also help reduce labor costs by providing businesses with access to a larger pool of potential employees who can be hired on an as-needed basis. One of the main drawbacks is that these workers often have limited job security and may not receive the same benefits as permanent employees. In addition, there may be legal implications depending on the type of visa or permit needed for them to work. Employers must ensure that they are compliant with all applicable laws when hiring migrant or temporary workers. This includes obtaining any necessary permits or visas for the employee, paying all required taxes, providing appropriate working conditions, and adhering to all relevant labor laws.

Small businesses can attract manual laborers by offering competitive wages and benefits packages, providing flexible working hours and job opportunities, investing in training programs, and providing a safe and supportive working environment. Manual laborers can provide businesses with access to a larger pool of potential employees who may be more willing to accept lower wages or work unusual hours. Reducing worker turnover can help businesses save money by reducing recruitment costs and increasing employee loyalty. Businesses can reduce turnover by providing clear job expectations, recognizing employees for their contributions, offering attractive benefits packages, and creating a safe and supportive workplace environment.

Small businesses can use janitorial staff for more than just cleaning by expanding their duties beyond basic cleaning tasks such as stocking shelves, helping with food preparation, assisting with assembly line operations, managing inventory, or helping with quality control. Companies who are looking for ways to reduce costs without compromising quality or productivity are getting creative with their janitorial team. Businesses can reshuffle their existing workforce by cross-training employees in different departments or roles, utilizing temporary workers as needed, or hiring additional janitorial staff who can perform multiple tasks beyond just cleaning.

Take Aways

In conclusion, small businesses face unique challenges when it comes to staffing shortages due to the current worker shortage and competition from the gig economy jobs. However, they can utilize janitorial staff for more than just cleaning by expanding their duties beyond basic cleaning tasks such as stocking shelves, helping with food preparation, assisting with assembly line operations, managing inventory, or helping with quality control. Additionally, small businesses can benefit by hiring blue collar workers who may be more willing to accept lower wages for increased flexibility. Finally, small businesses can reduce worker turnover by providing clear job expectations, recognizing employees for their contributions, offering attractive benefits packages, and creating a safe and supportive workplace environment.

By taking advantage of these strategies small businesses can leverage their janitorial team while still staying competitive in the ever-changing job market landscape; ultimately improving customer satisfaction while reducing labor costs and increasing productivity at the same time!

Are you receiving too many complaints about your cleaning staff? Wondering how much quality, consistent cleaning staff would cost?  Here's an online calculator that will show your price immediately.

Lacking janitorial staffing

Concerned about a staffing shortage and whether you are using the right cleaning service for your workplace? It's not too late to find the perfect janitorial team that will keep your workplace clean and safe. Look for solid custodian referrals and consult with System4 IPS. 

Which custodian or janitorial team is best for you? System4 IPS specializes in creating customized janitorial programs that meet the unique need of businesses like yours!



If your workplace experiences a singular COVID-19 positive case or outbreak, call System4 IPS and schedule your disinfection service today. Our professional team listens to your needs, requirements, and timing. See our many satisfied customer testimonials and public Google ratings.