By Denise Williams | WFBSC

COVID-19 opened the public’s eye to what the BSC industry has known all along: that commercial cleaners provide essential support to the mission of public health and hygiene, among other value. But even before the pandemic, insiders recognized the need to honor and celebrate a segment of the workforce that often goes “unseen” and “unappreciated,” according to Sarah McBride, chief executive of BSC New Zealand (BSCNZ).

Cleaning staff generally claim the spotlight only on the rare occasion that work isn’t properly done or something else goes wrong but are taken for granted the bulk of the time, when there are no complaints to address. Where are the kudos, accolades, and praise for these laborers who — more often than not — expertly and efficiently tackle the responsibilities that everyone else shuns but relies so heavily upon?

Enter Thank Your Cleaner Day.

Taking place this October 15, the observance is queued up for a 10^th year of organized appreciation on behalf of the workers McBride dubs the “arms and legs” of BSCs. With labor accounting for 80% of a commercial cleaning contract, she explains, these businesses literally depend on their people for survival. The designated day of gratitude marks an opportunity for members of BSCNZ, WFBSC, BSCAI, and other industry groups — as well as those members’ clients — to give back to staff who keep the world’s offices, health care facilities, schools, stadiums, and other spaces clean and inviting for the health, safety, and enjoyment of others.

The Backstory

McBride couldn’t be prouder of New Zealand’s role in the decade-old tradition, which began to take shape after then-BSCNZ member Lance Pattullo began brainstorming ways to recognize the team he credited with helping his business to thrive. Some had been with City Cleaning Services as long as 25 or 30 years, but they worked after hours and were rarely seen by the clients who also appreciated their quality work. Pattullo enlisted the help of Michelle Boag — a friend with a public relations firm — who was herself inspired by a City Cleaning employee assigned to a car park in downtown Auckland. The woman, Fale Tanuvasa, had been attending to the facility for 20-plus years; and she and Boag, who parked there regularly, became friends. Fale’s commitment to keeping the car park in pristine condition — free of rubbish, tidy, and sparkling — modeled the kind of cleaning professional that Pattullo and Boag wanted to showcase and applaud. With Fale as their muse, the pair brought the Thank Your Cleaner Day concept to BSCNZ’s president at the time, Lillian Small, based on a desire to widen the initiative to include the broader New Zealand market rather than limit it to one company. BSCNZ, in turn, collaborated closely with Kärcher — an international provider of cleaning technology — to bring the first official Thank Your Cleaner Day to life on October 19, 2015.

Thanks to significant time and financial investment by both, the inaugural event was well-received across the country. And through Kärcher’s sponsorship, it wasn’t long before it gained global depth. With additional momentum coming from WFBSC’s networks, McBride estimates that industry groups, members, and member clients in at least 40 countries around the world now dedicate the day to showing thanks for all that cleaners do.

That the event has evolved into a multinational movement is no surprise to McBride, who points out that BSCs worldwide have much in common. “There are a number of issues that we share globally as commercial cleaning contractors,” she declares. “And getting that recognition for our teams so that they feel appreciated, know they’re appreciated, and know the importance of their job … this day embodies that.”

What Does TYCD Look Like … And Is It Enough?

BSCNZ does its part to encourage participation throughout New Zealand by offering ideas and distributing promotional materials for members to share with clients, but how the day is spent varies from company to company. The recognition can oscillate from one extreme to another: sometimes it’s as simple as leaving a post-it note or a box of chocolates to show thanks or handing out gift bags stuffed with goodies collected from suppliers. Or even, perhaps in an up economy, something more lavish.

One of the most elaborate plans McBride can recall is when Air New Zealand booked an entire airplane hangar, decorated it, set out a huge spread of food, and had the party of all parties with cleaners as the guests of honor. Another group of cleaners one year were treated to an up-close-and-personal experience with the lemurs at Hamilton Zoo. In another standout example, a BSCNZ member staged a full dinner for its staff and brought in a popular national artist as entertainment for the evening. While celebrations like those are memorable and exciting, events of that scale may not be feasible for all operations. More often, McBride says, Thank Your Cleaner Day programs fall in the middle of the road. Food always brings people together, but it doesn’t have to be fancy to be a hit, she adds, pointing out New Zealanders’ love of Kentucky Fried Chicken, for example.

Like in so many other aspects of life, McBride suggests, it really is the thought that counts. “It’s a huge morale booster,” she testifies, remembering cleaners she’s talked with who shared that they had never received any token of appreciation for their work. Whether it shows up as a lapel pin, a treat bag, a meal, or a party, simply feeling valued for what they do means so much to staff who work largely behind the scenes but are often unnoticed even when they are visible. If more convincing is needed, other advantages range from staff engagement to industry recognition to social responsibility.

Thank Your Cleaner Day is a reminder of the good work BSC staff do and why it should be appreciated. But what can done the other 364 days of the year to support cleaning professionals and acknowledge their contributions?

 “It comes down to really good leadership and management,” McBride muses, offering an anecdote about the operations manager of one particular London cleaning company. If he spotted rubbish on the floor of one of his customers, she explains, he would stoop to pick it up himself. “He’d always do that in front of his staff to show them that ‘I’m no different than you. I’m leading the organization, but I see the importance of what you do,’” McBride continues.

“I think it’s an attitude that management carries with them and their demeanor and respect for their workers,” she concludes. “Probably the most powerful way [to show gratitude all year round] is through business owner/operators — and anyone in leadership roles — recognizing the work with a humble kindness. It’s never forgetting that our people quite often are doing a role that no one else wants to do … and they’re good at it.”