Let’s face it – most commercial buildings can get messy fast. We’ve all seen sticky spills, busy lobbies, fast-filling trash bins, messy break rooms, and post-storm debris.
These are just a few of a myriad of issues that can occur during the day in any work environment. Keeping up with all the activities can be a challenge, to say the least.
That’s where a day porter comes in.
From sweeping leaves to mopping up spills, an experienced porter can handle it all. So, if you’re looking for a way to keep up with cleaning problems, a day porter might be your solution for several reasons.
But before we jump into all the ways a porter can improve your building environment, we’ll give a better idea of what a day porter is and does.
What is a day porter?
A day porter is a person who is employed to carry out various tasks related to the maintenance and cleaning of a commercial building.
Their job description can include anything from sweeping and mopping floors to emptying trash cans and restocking restrooms. In many cases, day porters also act as customer service representatives, providing assistance to tenants and visitors.
At The Wilburn Company, we see day porters as an integral part to keeping any building a clean and welcoming environment.
Our Director of Operations, Terry Pearce, described a day porter’s importance to visitors and tenants. “[They] love seeing someone cleaning around them,” she said. “It makes them feel comfortable knowing things are getting [wiped down] multiple times during the day.”
While the duties of a day porter may vary depending on the specific needs of the building, they all share one common goal: to keep the property clean, safe, and well-maintained.
Why should you hire a day porter?
The specific whys for a daily cleaner can vary from setting to setting but in general, the following five reasons are why hiring a day porter is an investment your commercial business should consider.
1. Improve your facility’s image and appearance
The first and most obvious reason to hire a day porter is to improve the overall image and appearance of your facility. You’ve heard it before, but it’s still true, first impressions matter– especially in the business world.
Your building is often one of the first places potential clients or customers will see when they’re considering doing business with you. If it’s not clean and well-maintained, they may not get the best impression of your business.
On the other hand, if your building is clean and inviting, it could help you close more deals and bring in more business. In other words, a day porter can help you make a good impression on potential clients, customers, and partners. They can also keep your employees happy with the environment they work in, but more on that later.
2. Raise safety and health standards
Another important reason to consider hiring a day porter is to raise safety and health standards. A clean facility is a safe facility.
Day porters can help you maintain a clean and safe environment by regularly cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas, such as door handles, stair rails, elevators, and restrooms.
According to the CDC, regularly cleaning and disinfecting can help reduce the spread of germs and bacteria, which can lead to illnesses such as the flu, common colds, and even more serious diseases like COVID-19.
In addition to raising safety and health standards, hiring a day porter can also help you meet health code standards.
Most states and cities have health codes that commercial businesses must follow. These codes typically include requirements for cleanliness, sanitation, and visitor safety.
Hiring a day porter can help you avoid many safety problems by ensuring a clean environment.
3. Boost employee productivity and satisfaction
You want your employees to be as efficient as possible in the exciting and fast-paced world of business. Distractions can disrupt productivity when you get sidetracked with unessential or unforeseen activities. It’s easy to lose momentum when an overflowing trash bin or spilled water on the floor beckons for your intervention.
That’s when you may need a day porter. A day porter can assist with all office maintenance duties, such as clean-ups, bathroom supply refills, and more. You may focus on business issues without having to worry about minor tasks since you have a day porter around.
It allows all employees to focus on their specific job duties and maintain a high level of productivity.
Also, a day porter can help increase customer satisfaction by keeping your facility clean and well-maintained.
Like your customers, your employees will appreciate walking into a clean and orderly business. It shows that you care about their experience and are willing to go the extra mile to provide them with a positive experience. A happier employee will work harder and produce superior work.
So, a day porter is a win for everyone.
4. Provide high-security cleaning
In some high-security industries, some laws prohibit anyone but security personnel from entering the premises alone. This can disrupt cleaning operations at night. Hiring a daytime porter may allow for cleaning to continue while maintaining the tightest security requirements.
A day porter that has undergone background checks to meet federal standards can be great for guaranteeing the maintained security of your facility.
5. Cut costs for more extensive cleaning
You may not need to hire a full-time janitor or day porter if you don’t have a large facility or high-traffic areas. You can save on costs by only hiring them for the hours you need them the most.
A day porter can also help you avoid costly repairs by regularly inspecting your facility for potential maintenance issues.
For example, a day porter may notice a loose tile in the restroom and can report it to you before someone slips and falls, which could lead to a lawsuit. In short, hiring a day porter can help you save money in the long run by preventing accidents and costly repairs.
Ready to find your ideal day porter?
If you’re looking for a business with a clean and polished image that can stay profitable while you focus on more important things, hiring a day porter may be the perfect solution.
Not sure where to find one?
Don’t worry. We’re here to help.
The Wilburn Company are experts in this area. We’ve been in the industry for years and have an extensive network of qualified and experienced porters who are ready to work hard for your business. Contact us today to get started!
We’ve got just the team to help take your business to new heights.
Tags: building environment, CDC, clean environement, clean facility, commercial buildings, commercial business, commercial cleaning, COVID 19, day porter, employee productivity, health standards, healthy facility, secure cleaning, tenants, visitors, work environment