With 43 years of experience in commercial cleaning at Roy., Romain Thibault knows the commercial janitorial trade inside and out. His expertise is such that he was named head of training for new recruits, supervisors and team leads, teaching them the secrets of the trade.
We had the chance to meet with him to talk about an essential skill in this field: thoroughness.
Discover his valuable tips for sharpening your attention to detail and becoming an expert in the field.
What you'll discover in this article:
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What makes an employee thorough?
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Why is it important to be thorough at work?
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The 6 mantras of a thorough commercial janitorial attendant
Thoroughness in commercial janitorial work
"Thoroughness in commercial janitorial work means paying attention to the small details when cleaning a space. It means every corner, every surface and every element is clean and in order. Being thorough guarantees a clean, pleasant and safe environment for the people who use a space. This approach helps keep a place truly clean by doing your job well and counting on your colleagues to do the same."
Why is it important to be thorough at work?
In commercial janitorial work, thoroughness is essential to guarantee spotless and safe spaces. By paying attention to detail, you help prevent the spread of germs, protect the health of building occupants, and showcase Roy.'s recognized excellence.
"Occupants need to feel like they're in a clean environment, and that inevitably comes down to careful, meticulous cleaning."
The 6 mantras of a thorough commercial janitorial attendant
According to Romain, being thorough is an art that can be learned. He shares his best advice to help you develop this essential skill for any good commercial janitorial attendant.
1. Know your work route inside and out
There's no way around it: being thorough starts with knowing your work route well. That means understanding the client's expectations, carefully assessing the work environment and properly planning out the tasks to complete. Some tasks need to be done daily, while others are more periodic.
"New recruits at Roy. are paired with experienced employees to learn how to properly carry out their work route. A thorough person asks questions, takes an interest in what's being shown to them, and pays close attention to the information shared. In my opinion, that attitude is essential for applying attention to detail when carrying out tasks."
2. Pay close attention to your surroundings
A thorough person pays close attention to their surroundings, making sure everything is clean and properly cleaned. To do that, they inspect every surface in the space, including the front, back and sides of objects, as well as "hidden" corners. In short, they leave nothing to chance!
"It's essential to pay attention to everything around you. A meticulous person knows exactly where to look to ensure optimal cleanliness."
3. Stay positive and open to learning
Being thorough is a skill you build over time. So there's no need to be afraid of receiving advice from colleagues and supervisors. On the contrary, it's important to stay open to constructive feedback and to keep striving to improve, in order to adopt the best practices in your work.
"Getting feedback on your work isn't always easy, but it's an opportunity to improve. It's important to stay receptive and positive when a colleague or team lead is trying to help you do a task better."
4. Don't clean what's already clean or unused
A thorough employee uses good judgment to avoid unnecessary tasks. Some spaces, offices or classrooms remain unoccupied between shifts. So there's no need to deep clean a room that hasn't been used.
"The goal is to save time so you can focus on what actually needs to be cleaned. For example, if a trash can is empty, there's no need to change the bag. You need to use your judgment to make decisions that benefit the work route as a whole."
5. Put yourself in the shoes of the people using the space
It's the small details that make all the difference. A meticulous person puts themselves in the shoes of the people who use the space they're cleaning. They consider what someone notices when walking into a room, check that everything looks clean at first glance, and make sure everything is put back exactly where it belongs.
"When occupants walk into a room, they need to feel that sense of cleanliness right away. It's essential to be mindful of the details while keeping an overall view of the space, so that everything looks in order from the very first glance."
6. Avoid distractions
It's simple: to properly complete a cleaning task, you need to stay focused on the work at hand. That means avoiding outside distractions, like using your cell phone. This kind of focus is just as essential for thoroughness as it is for health and safety at work.
Ready to grow with one of Canada's best-managed companies?
If the adventure appeals to you, don't hesitate to apply for one of our job openings. The Roy. family is just waiting for you!
Roy. offers a full range of employee benefits, paid onboarding and development training at Campus Roy. and does everything possible to support employee well-being at work.
We've even earned a few certifications that highlight the ongoing efforts we make for the well-being of our teams!
In addition to our new recognition on Canada's Best Managed Companies list, we've earned a number of accolades that highlight our commitment to the well-being of our teams. Roy. has been recognized as "Canada's Best Workplace Managed by a Woman", "Best Employer in Quebec in 2022" and "Best Workplace for Mental Wellness in Canada". We also won the Workforce Training and Development award at the 2022 Mercuriades!
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