Exactly What Is a Day Porter?
Do you know what a Day Porter does? If not, don’t worry. Many Facility Managers aren’t entirely sure either.
A Day Porter isn’t the same as a day cleaning service, but it does include day cleaning in part. Add to the confusion that a Day Porter is a highly customized position.
What a Day Porter can do in your facility may look very different from what Day Porter duties look like in another building.
Essentially, a Day Porter helps clean areas that need attention throughout the day while handling extra tasks that help your building look better and run smoother.
Your Day Porter can help make sure entry doors stay sparkling and the reception area doesn’t become a holding zone for abandoned coffee cups. They can also help ensure restrooms stay stocked and trash is emptied throughout the day.
With a solid Day Porter service, you never have to wait for the nighttime cleaning crew to handle issues that matter right now.
Day porter services are designed to support basic janitorial needs during normal daytime business hours. They also cover related tasks that keep your building running smoothly.
Can Day Porter Services Help Your Facility Shine?
Because Day Porter services are so customized, they can absolutely help your facility shine.
Very good Day Porters can feel like an extension of your staff, while still being managed by your Building Services Company. That means you get support without the overhead and responsibilities that come with hiring an employee.
They can also become a valuable intermediary between you and your evening cleaning service.
And it’s often easier to address building needs immediately and in person, rather than trying to communicate special requests to a nighttime crew you rarely see.
The #1 Thing You Need for Effective Day Porter Services
The most important element in the success of your Day Porter program is the individual your building services company places in your facility.
This is partly because it’s a service position and partly because it’s a personalized and sometimes specialized role.
In order to get the most from your Day Porter, they must be a strong fit for the position and a natural fit in your facility.
A successful program depends on how much time and care your janitorial company puts into hiring the right person for your needs.
That also means doing standard due diligence like criminal background checks and drug testing.
If you’re considering a Day Porter program, ask your janitorial company how they screen, train, and manage their teams for success.
Doling Out Day Porter Duties
Day Porter programs offer personalized help, but there are common issues that can keep you from getting the most from the service.
Because a Day Porter has a wide mix of responsibilities, it’s important to help them prioritize. Otherwise, requests can pile up quickly.
In many facilities, multiple people will ask the Day Porter for help throughout the day. Without a system, it’s easy for them to get overwhelmed or unsure what should come first.
Ideally, requests should go through you or a designated point person who can approve tasks that pull the Day Porter away from daily duties.
If the workload grows, a Day Porter may naturally focus on the tasks they enjoy most. Clear priorities help prevent that and keep the focus on what you need most.
Making Day Cleaning and Nighttime Cleaning Work in Concert
To avoid issues between your day cleaning and night cleaning teams, it helps to be aware of a common challenge: responsibility shifting.
Day Porters (especially very good ones) can get busy with a growing list of duties. Over time, they may start shifting certain cleaning tasks to the nighttime crew.
On the flip side, some facilities end up with the Day Porter trying to manage the evening team. That can create tension rather than solve problems.
You can prevent these issues by being clear about responsibilities, expectations, and task priorities. It also helps to manage extra requests so the Day Porter isn’t overloaded.
Ultimately, if there are issues between your Day Porter and the nighttime crew, it is your janitorial company’s problem to fix.
After all, that is one of the major benefits of outsourcing your commercial cleaning.
Make Over Your Facility Maintenance With the Help of a Day Porter
A Day Porter Program can become an essential part of maintaining your facility at a high level throughout the day.
This extra help can make your facility run smoother and also free you up to focus on your core responsibilities. You get a go-to person who can respond in real time when issues pop up.
When you partner with a professional, reputable Detroit-area commercial cleaning company, you can build a relationship that supports your facility long-term.
Whether it’s working in high-traffic areas, restocking paper supplies, running a package upstairs, or helping someone move offices, a Day Porter can be a major asset.
For more information on Day Porters and whether one might be right for your facility, please contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.
