A clean building makes a strong first impression on customers, residents and employees. When a custodian quits or calls in sick, that standard can slip quickly. Janitorial staffing gives Twin Cities businesses a reliable way to keep facilities clean without scrambling every time someone is out. Here are six smart ways to make it work for your business.
What is janitorial staffing?
Janitorial staffing means working with a staffing agency to provide cleaners, custodians and porters for your facility. The agency recruits and screens the workers, and they clean your building under your direction. You can use janitorial staffing to cover a single shift, provide an ongoing crew or find permanent custodians through temp-to-hire.
Unlike hiring a full cleaning company, you stay in control of the schedule, the checklist and the standards. That makes janitorial staffing a good fit for businesses that already have a cleaning program but need reliable people to run it.
Who uses janitorial staffing?
- Apartment and property management companies
- Offices and commercial buildings
- Warehouses and manufacturing sites
- Schools, churches and community centers
- Event venues that need extra help before and after events
- Retail stores and showrooms
1. Decide between temporary, ongoing or both
Some businesses need a cleaner for one week while an employee is on vacation. Others need a steady crew every night. Many need both: a regular team plus extra help during busy periods. Think about your normal workload and your peak times before you call a staffing partner. Our seasonal staffing guide explains how to plan for busy months.
2. Write a clear cleaning checklist
A simple checklist for each area helps every worker clean to the same standard, even on their first day. Include:
- Restrooms: toilets, sinks, mirrors, floors and refilling supplies
- Break rooms and kitchens: counters, tables, appliances and trash
- Entrances and lobbies: glass doors, floors and mats
- Offices and common areas: dusting, vacuuming and emptying bins
- Closing tasks: locking doors, turning off lights and reporting problems
3. Ask the right questions before you hire
- How are cleaning workers screened and trained?
- Can workers cover early-morning, evening or weekend shifts?
- Who supplies cleaning chemicals and equipment?
- How fast can a replacement be sent if a worker cannot make a shift?
- Who should I call if there is a problem during a night shift?
For more questions, see how to choose a staffing agency in St. Paul.
4. Put safety first
Cleaning work involves chemicals, wet floors and lifting. Make sure workers know where safety data sheets are kept, how to use each product and what protective gear to wear. The OSHA cleaning industry page and its hazard communication guidance are useful references. Clear labels and a short safety talk on the first day prevent most problems.
5. Set workers up for success
Show new workers where supplies are kept, how to use equipment like floor scrubbers and vacuums, and how to lock up. Introduce them to a contact person who can answer questions. Workers who feel supported do better work and are more likely to stay with your facility long term.
6. Check quality and give feedback
Walk the building regularly and compare it to your checklist. Share feedback quickly, both what is going well and what needs to change. If a worker is not meeting your standard, tell your staffing partner early so they can coach the worker or send a replacement.
Benefits of janitorial staffing
- Fewer missed cleaning shifts when employees are out
- Less time spent recruiting and interviewing
- Flexible coverage for busy periods and special events
- A simple path to permanent custodians through temp-to-hire
Janitorial staffing for apartment communities
Apartment communities need clean hallways, laundry rooms, fitness areas and trash rooms every day, plus deep cleaning during unit turnovers. Janitorial staffing can provide porters for daily tasks and extra cleaners when many units turn over at once. Learn more in our guide to property management staffing.
How much does janitorial staffing cost?
Janitorial staffing is usually billed at an hourly rate for each worker. The rate covers the worker’s pay plus payroll taxes, insurance and the agency’s service. Night, weekend and short-notice shifts may cost more. Ask for written rates for each type of shift so you can plan your budget.
When you compare costs, think about what an empty cleaning shift costs your business: unhappy customers, complaints from residents or tenants, and extra work for the rest of your team. Planned janitorial staffing often costs less than constant last-minute fixes.
Building a long-term cleaning team
Janitorial staffing does not have to be short term. Many businesses use temporary workers to find their best permanent custodians. When a worker consistently meets your standards, shows up on time and gets along with your team, a temp-to-hire offer can turn them into a long-term employee. This approach gives you a reliable cleaning team built from people you have already seen at work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is janitorial staffing?
Janitorial staffing means using a staffing agency to provide cleaners, custodians or porters for your facility, either for short-term cover, ongoing shifts or as a path to permanent hires.
Is janitorial staffing the same as a cleaning company?
Not exactly. A cleaning company usually manages the whole cleaning service. With janitorial staffing, the workers clean your facility under your direction, so you keep control of schedules, standards and supplies.
Who provides cleaning supplies when using janitorial staffing?
Usually the business provides chemicals and equipment, but this varies. Agree on it with your staffing partner before the first shift.
Can janitorial staff work nights and weekends?
Yes. Many facilities are cleaned before opening, after closing or on weekends. Tell your staffing partner which shifts you need covered.
Need janitorial staffing?
Tell New Tomorrow Staffing about your facility, the shifts you need covered and when you need workers to start.
We’re a St. Paul staffing and recruiting company that specializes in speed to hire. We hire fast to last.
