How often do we hear the phrase ‘just a cleaner’? We say it about ourselves sometimes, we certainly hear other people saying it, and probably lots more thinking it!
The stereotype is that we are usually single parents (mothers), or not educated, or not employable enough to get a ‘proper/serious’ job. No one surely becomes a cleaner through choice, or because they enjoy it? “You’ve got qualifications, why are you ‘just a cleaner'”? The truth is however, that cleaners are in one of the most trusted job roles.
We often work with older, vulnerable people, sometimes people with dementia or other long term health conditions. We generally work alone, and are trusted by close family members to do so. We often have keys or codes for key safes to people’s houses and are able to let ourselves in to their homes. We are the kind of people that appreciate this position and would never abuse this trust.
We build relationships quickly and ensure people are comfortable in their own homes while we are there doing our work. Many of us will do more than ‘just clean’. We might do some shopping, or make a small meal or a cuppa for our customers. We have been known to transport poorly customers to hospital in emergencies, and contact family members if required/requested. We almost always become an hour or two every week that our customers look forward to. Often we are some of the only company that our customers get. And the enjoyment of this regular time spent is generally reciprocal.
We are often remembered and acknowledged at Christmas time by our customers and missed when we are on annual leave. We are commonly invited to funeral services if a long term customer sadly passes away. We do not take any of this for granted. We respect our customers, their property, their needs and wishes, their privacy and dignity and show genuine care and interest in them as people. And we do all of this, in spite of feeling somewhat undervalued at times, by some unfortunate, out-dated opinions regarding what or who a cleaner is.
So, the next time you hear someone say ‘just a cleaner’, please remember this post! (Written by a cleaner, with a degree, who has chosen to do this job, and wouldn’t change a thing!).
