The Operational Value of Recognition

Of all the challenges facing the commercial cleaning industry, one ongoing obstacle remains employee turnover. Retention is a focal point for many professional cleaning members as it contributes to operational consistency and client satisfaction. However, inflation, a low-momentum labor market, and evolving regulations place pressure on traditional staffing structures, contributing to this constant churn.

One strategy supporting staff retention is employee recognition. Recently, the contributions of cleaning staff were celebrated through Environmental Services (EVS) Week and International Housekeepers Week. These notable occasions showcase the importance of honoring employee contributions and how they promote a positive company culture.

To better assess how commercial cleaning industry representatives are encouraging employee engagement and shining a light on cleaning programs, CleanLink asked its audience to share their insights by answering the following questions:

1) Which strategy is most effective to enhance the visibility of frontline staff?
Transition to high-visibility cleaning schedules
Include frontline participation in cross-departmental walkthroughs
Integrate autonomous cleaning equipment into routine operations
Create opportunities to spotlight frontline staff

2) What is the most impactful way the industry can change public perceptions of cleaning professionals?
Elevate trade credibility through professional certifications
Advocate for comprehensive wages and benefits
Rebrand departmental and job titles to highly technical roles
Connect clean building data to employee performance

3) How can jan/san distributor and manufacturer partners deliver tangible value to frontline teams?
Engineer smart packaging and dilution systems
Prioritize ergonomic tool and automated machinery development 
Offer multiple modes of training
Supply low-toxicity, green-certified products

4) When reflecting on your company milestones, which achievement are you most proud to celebrate this year?
Innovation implementation
Staffing security
Safety and quality
Sustained growth

Centering on Clean

Cleaning is essential to public health, yet those providing this service often go unnoticed. According to a 2026 report by O.C. Tanner, when employees receive recognition, their morale improves, company loyalty increases, and collaborative relationships grow. Therefore, improving employee visibility can enhance engagement.

The most effective strategy to improve visibility is to create opportunities that spotlight frontline staff, as affirmed by 44 percent of industry respondents. Public recognition can come in many forms—team meeting shout-outs, social media posts, or written recognition in a shared space. These notices show customers and other staff exactly what work is being performed and who is performing it.

One-third of monthly poll respondents say that including frontline participation in cross-departmental walkthroughs can also boost employee visibility. In fact, R.W. Powitz & Associates, P.C. Owner Robert Powitz, often has facility leaders complete “grand rounds” with environmental services (EVS), maintenance, building occupants, administrators, and others. This strategy promotes the perspectives of cleaning staff and treats their insight as a valuable contribution to cleaning outcomes.

Just 22 percent of CleanLink readers say scheduling changes are their top strategy. High-visibility cleaning schedules place cleaning crews in direct contact with building occupants. By establishing connections, frontline staff can develop interpersonal relationships with visitors and/or clients, demonstrate proof of clean, and immediately address any concerns.

Jan/san distributor and manufacturer partnerships can further support worker morale by delivering tangible value through multiple training modes, according to 78 percent of industry respondents. Frontline employees need to understand product chemistries, use a diverse range of equipment and tools, and adhere to specific protocols to achieve compliance. This requires comprehensive initial and ongoing training, offered to an employee in their preferred language, that remains consistent across multiple sites.

Fewer than a quarter of professional cleaning members believe prioritizing ergonomic tool and automated machinery development can support frontline teams. Cleaning has become an increasingly technical job and requires a lot of repetitive motion to clean a variety of facility sizes. Commercial cleaning executives looking to enhance staff retention can look at providing quality tools and equipment that increase productivity and reduce physical strain or injury.

Promoting Cleaning Professionals

The industry can honor frontline staff by enhancing public perception of the cleaning profession. Over half of those surveyed share that the most impactful way to change public perception is to elevate trade credibility through professional certifications. Engaging with accreditation programs can expose gaps in internal practices and improve operational knowledge.

Another strategy to shift public perception, as affirmed by 33 percent of industry respondents, is by connecting clean building data with employee performance. Metrics associated with cleaning performance—customer satisfaction, safety, asset preservation, and more—are all achieved through the actions of frontline staff. Showing the throughline between an employee and cleaning outcomes, like infection prevention, highlights how essential frontline staff are to public health.

The work required to achieve quality cleaning results is why 11 percent of CleanLink’s audience say rebranding departmental and job titles to highly technical roles will help alter how the public views cleaning professionals. As regulations continue to change and technology evolves, frontline staff are tasked with adapting to new products, tools, and systems. The role of creating and maintaining clean and healthy environments should align with a title that communicates the work involved in attaining this outcome.

Overall, when reflecting upon company milestones, a third of industry respondents are proud of their innovation implementation. Autonomous equipment, infection prevention tools, and updated software are all elements enhancing the commercial cleaning profession. These advancements can support staff safety and quality levels of clean—an achievement 33 percent of those surveyed are celebrating. Around 22 percent name sustained growth as a notable accomplishment, while 11 percent are most proud of their staffing security.

Through the efforts of dedicated employees, commercial cleaning companies can achieve professional goals. Recognition is less about what an employee accomplished—it’s about how the work they do each and every day has value.